CT Lawmakers Debate Bill Providing $291 Million to Help Build New $1.1 Billion Genetics Laboratory

The Senate has begun debating a bill that authorizes $291 million to help build a new, $1.1 billion genetics laboratory at the University of Connecticut Health Center and help grow the state’s bio-sciences industry.

Minority Republicans voiced concern with the deal, negotiated by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration. Republican Sen. Scott Frantz said the agreement should be vetted more carefully to see whether it’s worth the state’s hefty investment. He called for the deal to be restructured.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was debating a separate, bipartisan jobs bill during Wednesday’s special session.

Democratic Sen. Gary LeBeau said the deal with the genetics facility (named the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine) will lead to more high-tech, well-paying jobs in Connecticut. He likened the project to planting one tree that will lead to a grove of trees.

According to Governor Malloy’s administration, permanent jobs associated with the facility will total more than 6,800 over 20 years, including 300 direct jobs within 10 years and 600 direct jobs within 20 years.

Under the current plan, Jackson Laboratory will provide $809 million toward the construction project through federal research grants, philanthropy and service income.

The State of Connecticut, in comparison, will contribute $192 million in a secured construction loan and $99 million in research partnership participation, which makes for a total proposed investment of $291 million.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

(With information provided by New England Post)

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Posted by erik devaney on Oct 26 2011. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry