Some Wichita lawmakers are accusing the Kansas Bioscience Authority of costing their city jobs by delaying a $31 million grant.

Wichita State University and the University of Kansas made a joint request for the grant in July.

The proposal is to create an industry in Kansas that would invent and manufacture a new generation of medical implants.

But the two universities have engaged in protracted negotiations about who would lead a new innovation center.

Rep. Steve Brunk, of Bel Aire, and outgoing House speaker Melvin Neufeld, of Ingalls, say the authority appears to be biased against Wichita State. They worry the money will now go to help state budget shortfalls.

Authority president Tom Thornton denies any bias or foot-dragging.