Rep. Will Robinson Says Sarasota Herald Incorrectly Reported His Vote on USF Sarasota-Manatee Merger
The Sarasota Herald is facing scrutiny after incorrectly reporting State Rep. Will Robinson’s vote on legislation proposing a merger between the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and New College of Florida.
In a post published to his official Facebook page, Robinson clarified that he voted against the bill and stated that the newspaper’s account of his vote was inaccurate.
“I actually voted no on the bill to merge USF Sarasota-Manatee and New College (Sarasota Herald got it wrong). My statement:
‘Since the merger idea was floated a year ago, there has disappointingly been no community engagement. I have seen no public statement of support for this merger from both institutions. While I applaud New College and its incredible transformation, I cannot support this bill. My community has spoken loud and clear in opposition. The missions of both institutions are dramatically different, and major questions have yet to be answered like how this would impact existing students and what happens to the pipeline of talent moving forward. A big question I personally have is whether the Legislature should allow the merger to go forward if both institutions want it. I will wait to answer this question once public statements from both institutions have been made and my community has been better engaged.’”
The proposed merger has generated significant debate across Sarasota and Manatee counties, particularly among students, faculty, and local business leaders concerned about workforce development and access to higher education. The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus serves approximately 2,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to meet regional workforce needs, while New College operates as Florida’s designated public liberal arts honors college.
Robinson’s statement underscores concerns about community engagement, institutional alignment, and the long-term implications for students currently enrolled at USF Sarasota-Manatee. His remarks also raise a broader question about legislative authority to advance a merger in the absence of formal public support from both institutions.
The clarification comes amid heightened public attention to the proposal, which has drawn strong reactions from residents who have contacted members of the legislative delegation regarding the future of the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
As discussions continue in Tallahassee, Robinson’s public statement places him among lawmakers calling for greater transparency and clearer answers before moving forward with any consolidation of the two institutions.
