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Financing deal delays Kansas capitol power plant

Gov. Sam Brownback
Gov. Sam Brownback
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Governor Sam Brownback is hoping there’s only a short delay in starting construction on a new power plant for the Kansas Statehouse and four nearby government office buildings.

The Republican governor’s administration announced Wednesday that the $20 million project is temporarily on hold amid bipartisan legislative concerns about how it is being financed.

The state is financing the project through a 15-year lease-purchase agreement with Bank of America, paying about 2.3 percent interest.

Brownback said a number of legislators wanted additional information.

He told reporters, “I said, ‘Sure.'”

But the governor also said the state could face penalties if it doesn’t begin construction soon. The Department of Administration hopes to finish the plant this year.

Brownback suggested the delay in construction would last only “for a couple of days.”

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