Paging Doctor Strayhorn

'Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a … ' (Photo by John Anderson)

How do you know the work week’s arrived in earnest? Why, the occurrence of another Carole Keeton Strayhorn press conference, of course!

This morning, Strayhorn appeared outside of Brackenridge Hospital downtown to announce her call for a medical school. Flanked by supporters in the education and biotech realms, she promised “healthcare over headlines, biotech over biomass, and people over politics.” (As the race’s budget hawk, she’s trained her ire on the cost of Austin’s nascent renewables like biomass and the recently-approved solar array.)

The school, she said, would create thousands of jobs, muster some $1.5 billion in additional economic activity per year, and be a boon to research, as well as provide assistance to the less fortunate. (Because we all know the University of Texas does everything out of selfless, noble impulses.) Strayhorn was decidedly vague on the funding details for the school, saying her job was to provide the “strong leadership” required to see the project through. But with the state staring down a shortfall of its own, it’s unlikely that dollars will come easily. Still, Strayhorn said “I am certain that we can find the dollars,” noting “I can find it in the city budget right now.” All thism, plus a heavy wind that battered the attendees and speakers this morning. You can read more about Strayhorn's plans here.