Kansas Democrats Say They Lack Enough Details on NBAF

Democratic leaders in the Kansas Legislature say they’re not getting enough information from Republican Sam Brownback’s administration to justify authorizing another $202 million in bonds for a national biodefense lab.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said Tuesday that lawmakers haven’t “been brought into the loop” on Brownback’s latest proposal for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at Kansas State University.

The $1.2 billion facility will study animal diseases. President Barack Obama’s latest budget proposal contains $714 million for the project.

The state has already issued $105 million in bonds. Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag said the new bonds will fulfill the state’s commitment to the project.

But House Minority Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence said Brownback’s administration hasn’t been forthcoming with details about the proposal.