Utah’s legislators are usually as reluctant to borrow money as parents are to loan it to their teenage children. But when it comes to bonding out a couple hundred million dollars, in part for buildings at the U, fortunately, they’re apparently willing to make an exception.

University administrators presented lawmakers with a proposal on Friday for a couple of construction projects that will serve valuable, useful functions for all concerned.

Though the Legislature has never before bonded more than $100 million, the idea to bond more this year is quickly gaining steam, due to the struggling economy. If legislators give the go-ahead, the U specifically and the state in general will benefit.

Part of the additional funding will go to renovation of the U’s Marriott Library, as well as the construction of a new Health Sciences Classroom.

As the former could not withstand an earthquake and cannot protect its special collections from a leaky roof, let alone offer the kind of technological support indicative of the modern era, it desperately needs revamping.

And as the latter is the equivalent of a high school biology lab, hardly holding the equipment needed to train would-be doctors at one of the nation’s premier medical schools, it is inadequate and needs to be replaced altogether.

And while improving the U’s educational and safety standards should be boon enough, the Legislature needs motivation a bit more practical, a bit less idealistic.

Thankfully, U Economics Professor Thayne Robson gave them all they could ask for. Robson noted that, for every $100 million the Legislature bonds, 4,000 construction jobs are created, and for every new construction job, five service jobs are generated.

With the economy slumping, the creation of thousands of new jobs could hardly be more practical.

That being said, the Legislature ought to lend its support to this plan. In improving the quality of the state’s flagship institution of higher education, and giving a much-needed shot of adrenaline to the state’s job market, it’s a winning situation for everyone.