Less than a year ago, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts attended the ground-breaking ceremonies in Manhattan for the much-anticipated $1.15 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, otherwise known as NBAF. IN A statement after the vote, Roberts said his vote against the bill — and NBAF — gave him “no pleasure,” but was necessary to curb unchecked spending.
The facility will provide an estimated 350 jobs plus designate Kansas as the premier site for bio-security. After it opens in 2018, the facility is expected to generate a $3.5 billion economic impact during its first 20 years. Just building the massive plant will create 1,500 construction jobs.
Competition was stiff to land the project. By 2008, Kansas had beat out 23 other contenders and was a finalist against five other states, including Mississippi, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia. In 2009, we got the good news: Kansas would be home to the 575,000-square-foot livestock research facility on 46 acres next to Kansas State University’s campus.
In 2011, Sen. Roberts served as chairman of a steering committee to keep the massive project on track.
Up until last week, he was its biggest fan.
It was Thursday, to be exact, when Sen. Roberts turned his back on NBAF. Roberts was one of 26 Senators who voted against the federal budget package, which included $404 million for the NBAF project.
Saner heads prevailed by passing the omnibus funding package. Had Sen. Roberts carried the day, NBAF would have been mothballed.
Why would Roberts be willing to pull this crucial leg of funding?
Because he is up for re-election, and his opponent is even more conservative. No matter how good the project is for Kansas — new jobs and making it the country’s leader in bio-defense research — Roberts perceived its funding as a target for conservatives.
The same line of thinking is why state legislators are afraid to expand Medicaid, increase funding for state schools, and keep the state’s pension system afloat.
Spending money is the work of the devil, they say.
Until we agree important services need to be funded, we’ll go down the drain.
Gurgle, gurgle.
— Susan Lynn
Roberts turns back on NBAF
