May 23--AUSTIN -- A new Dallas law school and repair of a historic Fair Park building would get start-up money under a last-minute decision by House-Senate budget negotiators Friday.

The 10 lawmakers, putting final touches on the budget, funded about 40 projects with some of the $11 billion of federal stimulus money they used to balance the budget.

Among them were $5 million for the University of North Texas law school in downtown Dallas and $1 million for upgraded fire safety and electrical wiring at the Pan American Building at Fair Park.

Dallas Democratic Sen. Royce West, one of the budget negotiators, said Friday that he sought $8 million for the law school. But West said the $5 million from the state, supplemented by "some local funds that we'll be able to generate," is enough to launch the school. A separate bill authorizing it will have to pass, he said.

"We'll have sufficient funds in order to hire the dean, start getting some plans for renovation of the building, hire some faculty ... as well as a librarian," West said.

Already in the budget approved by both chambers was $6 million for UNT-Dallas, to help its shift from being a two-year campus to a four-year institution.

Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, said Fair Park officials sought $10 million for renovation of the Pan American Building, a historically protected building that seats 3,500 people at events.

Giddings, a House budget writer, said that although "the total renovation cannot be done due to lack of funds," the upgrades will be helpful.

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