Moran Statement on Passage of Higher Education Bond

RICHMOND – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran made the following statement after the General Assembly approved the Higher Education Bond initiative that provides $1.5 billion in new capital construction to Virginia’s colleges and universities. Delegate Moran joined Governor Kaine and University Presidents at the announcement of this initiative on December 13, 2007 at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“This funding will be a great step in our efforts to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said Delegate Moran. “Last spring I traveled to India on the Governor’s Trade Mission and toured the Indian Institute of Technology. India and China produce as many engineers each year as we will produce this decade. If we want to compete and win, we have to invest in higher education so we have the capability to do groundbreaking research in the life sciences and nanotechnology and biotechnology.

“Today we’ve authorized the largest investment in construction at our colleges and universities in Virginia’s history. This will help jumpstart our construction industry while building capacity for our future. We have thousands of new graduates that want to go to Virginia’s public colleges and today’s effort will help make sure we have room for them.”