Font ResizeSANTA FE - University research parks would lose 8 percent of the money they make from product royalties under a bill that cleared a committee Monday.
New Mexico State University opposes the bill, which would shift money to prekindergarten programs.
Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, is sponsoring the measure as a means to help small children get off to a good start in school.
In rare cases, university products can mean a windfall for a state. A portion of that money should go to helping kids, Sapien said.
He mentioned the University of Florida, where Gatorade was created. The sports drink has poured more than $80 million into the school's treasury since 1973.
Sapien suggested that a similar breakthrough product in New Mexico could provide steady help for prekindergarten programs, which now receive about $13 million annually.
His proposal stayed alive on a 4-3 vote of the Senate Education Committee.
Sens. Stephen Fischmann, D-Mesilla Park, and Vernon Asbill, R-Carlsbad, voted against the bill.
Both said that, if a new source of money were found, base funding for prekindergarten could be cut, a reflex of the Legislature.
"This feels a little patchwork to me," Fischmann said.
Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Do a Ana, voted for the bill.
New Mexico State University opposes the measure on the basis that its nascent research park needs to get on solid footing. Diverting funds would hinder the park's development, a school spokesman said.
The University of New Mexico
The proposal is SB 150.
Santa Fe Bureau Chief Milan Simonich can be reached at msimonich@tnmnp.com or (505) 820-6898. His blog is at http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/newmexico
