The state is coming up with money to establish another state crime lab. Governor Blunt says all of the money is not available yet for a Springfield lab but he’s making the commitment anyway.  Blunt says $400,000 is being released to set up a lease-purchase agreement on a building where the lab will be housed. 

State lawmakers failed to appropriate 1.6-million dollars for the lab this year.  The Governor hopes to get the remaining 1.2-million dollars in 2008. 

State officials hope to have the new lab open by October, next year.

The system also will merge crime labs in Joplin and Cape Girardeau with the Highway Patrol lab system.  Blunt says; the steps will improve efficiency.