Budget Seeks Lab Bonds

A supplemental budget for fiscal 2014 submitted to the Legislature last week by Gov. Sam Brownback includes a request for $202 million of state bonds for a bio-defense laboratory at Kansas State University.

Brownback’s proposed supplemental budget authorizes the State Finance Council to issue bonds for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan. The laboratory, which would be under the control of the Department of Homeland Security, will study animal diseases that could be transmitted to humans.

“I look forward to working with the Legislature to craft tax and budget plans that support a balanced budget that funds our state’s core responsibilities, provides the state a strong ending balance, and continues our state on the glide path to a zero state income tax,” Brownback said.

Lawmakers will return from recess May 8 to work out differences between the fiscal 2014 budget bills adopted by the House and Senate.

The state has issued $105 million of bonds for the facility, and allocated $35 million for the move of the bio-defense laboratory from its current location on an island off Long Island, N.Y.

The proposed federal budget for fiscal 2014 includes $714 million for the $1.1 billion laboratory.

The state has already issued $105 million of bonds for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at Kansas State University. The additional bonds are needed for the state’s 20% match for the facility, which is now expected to cost $1.15 billion.

The state Senate Ways and Means Committee held hearings on Brownback’s bond request last month, but tabled the measure until legislators can meet with Brownback when the Legislature re-convenes this week.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Kansas
MORE FROM BOND BUYER