Kansas leaders approve new bonds for Capitol center

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and legislative leaders have authorized an additional $5.4 million in bonds as part of a larger plan to finish the renovation of the Statehouse.

The bonds approved Monday will be used to finance work on a new visitor center. The plan from Brownback's administration also will tap $7 million in Kansas Department of Transportation funds to repair the Statehouse's construction-scarred grounds.

The additional funding will push the total cost of the Statehouse renovation to $332 million. State officials now expect all of the work, including the visitor center, to be finished by the end of 2013.

Brownback said he hasn't been a big fan of the renovation because of its cost. But he said it's time to finish the project.