Gov. proposes $1.5 billion for UConn expansion

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The governor has proposed spending $1.5 billion to support a major expansion at the University of Connecticut over the next decade.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says the expansion will position UConn as a leading research institution and ensure that Connecticut's young people have the skills needed to fill the kinds of jobs the state is pursuing.

The governor announced the proposal Thursday at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford with officials including UConn President Susan Herbst and representatives from Pratt's parent company, United Technologies. It's part of Malloy's legislative package, which is to be unveiled on Feb. 6.

The proposal calls for items including $137 million in state funds to support a 30 percent increase in enrollment at UConn and a 70 percent increase in enrollment in the School of Engineering.