Posted on | April 17, 2013 | Comments

State Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, and G. Richard Olds, founding dead of the UCR school of medicine, testify at Wednesdays hearing.

The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation this morning that would appropriate $15 million for UC Riversides school of medicine.

The bill, Senate Bill 21 by state Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, is virtually identical to Assembly Bill 27, by Assemblyman Jose Medina, D-Riverside. That measure passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee last month.

Notably missing from todays testimony were representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The influential unions chief lobbyist testified against the medical school money last month, contending that it would be wrong to give UC more money when it is mistreating its AFSCME-represented workers.

Wednesday, Roth said supporters of the school and the union have come to terms.

AFSCME wanted to make sure that the money ultimately appropriated for this medical school was used for this medical school and the education of physicians who largely remain in Riverside County providing medical care to the underserved, Roth said.

A committee analysis of the bill shows that The Press-Enterprise is among the supporters of SB 21.

By: Jim Miller

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Senate committee passes medical school funding bill