USF medical school dean Stephen Klasko estimates it would cost $300-million to build the 200-bed teaching hospital he wants on the Tampa campus, but he vowed to the Times editorial board this afternoon that he will not seek state money for it.

Lawmakers would have to OK proposed legislation that exempts some state universities including USF from getting certificates of need to build such hospitals, a change the Florida Hospital Association opposes.

Klasko said he is "optimistic" about the proposal's chances of passing, and said if it happens USF would use donations and, most likely, a partnership with an existing university hospital to make the USF hospital a reality. He said the University of Pittsburgh is one possibility.

"They've talked to us about a partnership, and that's part of our desire to start a hospital," Klasko said.