LOCAL OFFICIALS FIGHT TO KEEP FUNDING FOR NEW DIAGNOSTIC LAB

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Despite many years of planning and three years of unsuccessful efforts to get funding in the state budget, supporters of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for Cape Girardeau have never given up.

A committee has worked with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri State University, and livestock associations to raise local funds, attempt to expand its base of support for the laboratory, and get ready for the day when state funds might become available.

Even though Department of Agriculture Director Charles Kruse had recommended the laboratory in his budget the last few years, members of Gov. John Ashcroft's staff left the funding out of the governor's budget that was recommended to the General Assembly.

Supporters, who were patiently looking ahead to next year, received some unexpected good news last week when Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Wilson, D-Columbia, had $163,300 in funding for the lab added to the state budget on the Senate floor.

Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton, pointed out that both he and Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, had been working to try to get funding for the lab included in the budget. Wilson promised to do what he could, and last week included it as an amendment to the package.

Whether the funding will survive, when the budget goes back to the House and is considered for final approval, remains to be seen, but Dennis said if legislators feel like funds are available it will likely stay in.

Ultimately, Ashcroft has the final say with line-item veto power over funding allocations.

Dennis noted that the funding is contingent upon matching funds being raised locally by the committee supporting the lab and the university.

Dr. Ed Snider, chairman of the committee that has been working for the lab, said Friday that getting funding in the budget is good news and noted that the committee will try to lobby legislators to retain the funding.

"This is the farthest we've been yet," said Snider. "We are surprised by this news because we had received no encouragement at all."

So far, the committee has raised about $61,000 for the local match. Snider said he was optimistic the local share could be obtained. "It will take some work, but we've worked on this thing before," said Snider.

The diagnostic lab would be established in cooperation with the university. Snider noted that from the first meetings it was clear that while the lab was needed to help livestock producers and veterinarians in Southeast Missouri, there would not be enough business to justify the lab unless it could also be used as a teaching facility.

Southeast Missouri State Executive Vice President Robert Foster praised the committee for its efforts toward the lab and noted that they have continued to work hard despite discouraging developments.

"They've never quit, they never got discouraged. You have to hand it to them," remarked Foster.

The College of Science and Technology and the committee have been making plans for the lab in case funds become available, said Foster. He noted the extent of the lab would depend upon funding.

Currently, there are livestock diagnostic labs in Springfield, Cameron, and Columbia. Most producers in Southeast Missouri must send carcasses to Columbia to determine cause of death, but by the time they can be transported there, it is almost too late to get a good diagnosis.

If a lab is established here, livestock producers who use it will be charged for the services. Two of the existing labs do not charge, but a bill is in the legislature this year to allow them to charge fees.

Snider said members of the committee here were hoping, if the bill passed, enough revenue would be generated for the agriculture department to operate another lab in Southeast Missouri.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, a supporter of the lab, said he will do what he can to encourage his colleagues in the House to keep the funding in the budget. He plans to visit this week with Rep. Al Nilges, D-Bourbon and chairman of the House Budget Committee, about the funding.

"We sure intend to work on it and try to see that it stays in the budget," observed Schwab.

He also promised to encourage Ashcroft to keep the funding intact. Schwab noted that with local matching funds being provided as a show of support and interest, the governor might be receptive to supporting the funding even though it was not in his original budget.