Brownback speaking to reporters at a Statehouse news conference. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Governor Sam Brownback says members of the president’s administration continue to support the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, which is slated to be built in Manhattan. That comes after President Obama chose not to add funding for the lab’s construction in his 2013 budget proposal. Brownback says he spoke with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano this week about the issue. Brownback says one concern is the projected cost for the lab, which has grown to more than $650 million.
In his budget, President Obama said the $50 million appropriated by Congress so far is not enough to start construction of the lab. Brownback says the state is looking at alternatives for funding the project.