Gov. Sam Brownback's chief of staff says the latest cost estimates for a new, national biosecurity lab and commitments from federal officials about its funding are "pretty solid."
Landon Fulmer sought to assure Democrats in the Kansas Senate on Thursday that the state is unlikely to face committing more funding for the project if it issues an additional $202 million in bonds. Fulmer said federal officials don't intend to ask Kansas for further commitments.
Some legislators have misgivings about more bonds even though they support the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at Kansas State University. The $1.15 billion lab will research dangerous animal diseases.
The state already has authorized $105 million in bonds, but costs have escalated.
President Barack Obama's latest proposed budget includes $714 million for the project.