JUNEAU -- A new crime lab project is "beyond shovel ready."

So says project manager Matt Tanaka, who with labor union and other interests Monday urged the Senate Finance Committee to advance legislation providing another $76 million to finish the Anchorage lab.

Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters said the state's existing lab operates on triage.

He said evidence from the most severe cases takes priority and a new lab will let the department restore services that had been discontinued.