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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Republicans keep up criticism of Senate office building

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Republican state lawmakers are calling on majority Democrats to scrap plans for a new state Senate office building.

The project was authorized in last year’s tax bill, but the House Rules Committee must still sign off on the design before construction can begin.

During a news conference today, Sen. Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, said the building is unwanted and unnecessary.

“It’s not too late to stop this, and action can be taken to stop this $90 million boondoggle,” Chamberlain said.

The estimated cost of the new building, along with its own parking ramp, is $76 million. The project also includes a separate, nearby parking ramp that would cost $14 million.

Supporters of the project argue that the additional space is needed to make up for the space the Senate will lose during the renovation of the state Capitol. But Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwod, said those two projects should not be linked. Dean said the bipartisan support for the Capitol renovation is being put in jeopardy.

“If you look at the bonding bill, we did the first half last year and the second half we would like to do this year,” Dean said. “We would like to see that move forward, and obviously this has to be part of the resolution.”

Dean and other Republicans introduced legislation to block the legislative building, but no hearings have been scheduled.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said the critics should offer an alternative plan if they have one.  Meantime, Bakk said he’s concerned by the inaction of the House Rules Committee.

“The new building, under the construction schedule, was supposed to be in the ground March 1, Bakk said. “I think we are incurring cost overruns on both the new building and on the Capitol at this point.”