Bill includes new health lab

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden has followed through on a pledge to fund construction of a new state health laboratory through bonds.

Legislators voted last year to use $25 million from the state's settlement with big tobacco companies to build a new health lab in Jefferson City.

But Holden withheld the money in late August to help pay for other government programs and services, saying at the time the lab would still be built.

The $30 million for the lab is included in a capital improvements bill outlined Monday for the House Budget Committee. Aside from the health lab, the legislation contains no plans to use state revenues for new construction.

The bill includes $5.3 million in federal funds for design and construction of a new National Guard armory in south Kansas City, and $540,000 in federal funds for designing 17 community corrections centers.

Randy Allen, director of the Office of Administration's Division of Design and Construction, said the health lab's estimated cost increased to $30 million as the construction plans became more specific.