Florida Polytechnic University, the legacy of Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, is already asking for its first increase in state funding.

The Lakeland Ledger is reporting that the board of trustees for the school created last year by the Legislature intends to ask for about $25 million in state funds to complete construction on the Lakeland campus’ first building.

“The budget for the first building was planned for about $100 million, and that has not gone over budget, said Ava Parker, the school's chief operating officer,” the Ledger reports.

University leaders want to use money already designated for the campus, about $22 million, to help recruit new students, with the prospects of attracting the first class in 2014, the Ledger reports.

School officials note the building was already under construction when legislators agreed to split off the University of South Florida’s Lakeland campus into an independent university.

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Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.