A state leader downplaying the IU Medical School being left off the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's list of recommended projects.

As we've reported, Indiana University ranked the Evansville medical school project as sixth out of six items.

However, State Auditor Suzanne Crouch says it shouldn't be too worrisome. That's because two years ago, Crouch says lawmakers set aside $2 million to get the project going.

"The fact that this was not in the recommendations does not really mean a thing," said Crouch, "because it's the Indiana General Assembly that makes the funding choices. In fact two years ago, when we put together the budget, that $2 million that started the IU School of Medicine was not on the Commission on Higher Education's recommendations."

Crouch says in her conversations with Governor Mike Pence and his budget agency, there is tremendous support for the project. The general assembly reconvenes early next month.

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Suzanne Crouch Downplaying IU Medical School Concerns