Submitted by Fox First at Ten on October 31st
By BOB SALSBERGAssociated Press
BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is seeking $30 million to cover the initial costs resulting from the testing scandal at a state drug lab.
His top budget official says an appropriations bill will be filed Thursday with the Legislature requesting the money.
The official says he expects the $30 million to cover costs for at least the next several months for courts, prosecutors, public defenders and other agencies dealing with fallout from the scandal.
He says the money would be drawn from one-time tax and legal settlements, and if that is not enough, from the state's "rainy day" fund.
Also Wednesday, Patrick agreed to a request by Attorney General Martha Coakley to appoint an independent investigator to look into broader issues surrounding the now-closed lab. A former chemist there is accused of skirting protocols and faking drug test results.
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