Bill Tracker : SB 105 - Collaborative Government for a New Law School

It was a packed house. High priced lawyers, educators, community leaders all present at the Dallas Bar's mansion to talk about "the" newest public law school in Texas. In fact, we were setting up scholarships. I found it incredibly odd because "the" new law school didn't even exist. That's about to change with the passage of SB 105 - the bill to create the University of North Texas College of Law.

This bill should succeed where others have failed because of the unique collaborative agreements being made by the City of Dallas, University of North Texas, and our state legislature.

First, the City of Dallas ponied up big for this project. Dallas is giving money to the project, but just as importantly a home. The old City Hall building will house the new law school. That's right - the same building that saw the Jack Ruby - Lee Harvey Oswald shooting will be the campus of the new school. Dallas is also going to tear down some buildings and make a park in front of the new law school. Dallas Mayor, Laura Miller said, "The UNT College of Law will be a cornerstone to our central business district and major asset in our efforts to revitalize downtown Dallas."

Second, the University of North Texas has done a great job of building solid campaign to get the legislature to step up. UNT has attracted business leaders and local attorneys to the project.

Finally, the bill's sponsor, Royce West is championing the cause down at the Capital.