House Panel Approves NBAF Bonds

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Governor Sam Brownback’s administration has overcome fresh resistance from the Kansas Legislature to authorizing an additional $202 million in bonds for a national biodefense lab.

The House Appropriations Committee Thursday initially postponed a decision to the governor’s proposal for the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility at Kansas State University.

But after a briefing from Brownback’s chief of staff, the committee approved the proposal. However, it added language to prevent the bonds from being issued without the federal government first funding the bulk of the $1.15 billion in construction costs.

The state has already authorized $105 million in bonds for the lab, which will research dangerous animal diseases. Kansas pursued the project because it promises to generate more than 300 high paying jobs.