The Senate rejected an amendment that would have boosted funding for state laboratories by nearly $1.2 million, to about $13.5 million.
During brief debate on the fiscal 2017 budget amendment on Tuesday night, Sen. John Keenan of Quincy lamented cuts to funding for state public health labs in the face of rising demands, including the threat posed by the Zika virus. Keenan said lawmakers should at least support level funding for the laboratories, saying they provide “critical” services including testing for diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
The Senate budget holds overall state spending growth to less than 3.5 percent, although the spending plan is predicated on an increase in tax revenues next fiscal year of about 4.3 percent.
