Agriculture Secretary Blasts Bioscience Authority

Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman blasted the Kansas Bioscience Authority today, saying the agency's board of directors hasn't fulfilled its duties. Rodman was selected by the governor to work with the company that recently audited the KBA. Rodman criticized the way the agency has been spending money.

"They spend nearly 40 cents for every dollar invested in internal expenses.This is an unacceptable performance," he said. "The board must be held responsible for these results."

The audit was particularly critical of the KBA's former CEO, Tom Thornton. But the Chairman of the KBA's board of directors, Dan Watkins, says the audit also shows that the agency is properly handling and investing state money.

"It's disappointing that there's at least some who are impugning the integrity and ethics of a hard working, diligent group of people," he said.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s office is withholding more than $20 million in funding for the KBA, until the legislature decides if the agency needs reform or more oversight.