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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Matt Dean (R)

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REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO HALT CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

Monday, March 24, 2014
Public need for access to Capitol put behind politicians’ wants for more office space, driving false need for new building.
 
ST. PAUL, MN—Rep. Matt Dean (R-Dellwood) and Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) introduced legislation to block the construction of a new Senate office building they say is unnecessary, unconstitutional and unpaid for. They also raised concerns that linking the new building to the capitol puts in jeopardy the bi-partisan agreement to move forward with restoration plans for the 100 year-old landmark.
 
“Last week Gov. Dayton and the Democrats almost let this boondoggle derail their tax bill, and we know it will show up in another form later this session,” said Sen. Chamberlain. “Our bill puts an end to this discussion once and for all so we can get on with the real priorities of the people of Minnesota.”
 
The Republican legislators pointed out that current plans call for expanding the space of the Governor’s office by 62%, the Senate space by 38%, the House space by 15% while growing the public space only 9%.
 
“We keep hearing from Gov. Dayton and Sen. Bakk that we need a new office building because of plumbing and duct work, but very clearly this puts the wants of politicians and their staff ahead of the  responsibility we have to be good stewards of this state treasure," said Rep. Dean. 
 
“A very small number of people with short-term political interests are making some very important decisions about the capitol complex for the next 100 years,” added Rep. Dean, the Republican lead on the House Capital Investment Committee. “The need for a new building is being driven by some very poor decisions – and it’s not too late to revisit them and save the taxpayers $90 million.”
 
Chamberlain and Dean also raised questions about how the building was inserted into the tax bill and did not receive a supermajority vote required when the state borrows money. Questions about the funding scheme for the building have also never been answered satisfactorily.
 
“It’s taken twenty years to forge a bi-partisan agreement to restore our state capitol and this building project is putting that agreement in jeopardy just as we need to build support for funding the second phase of restoration,” added Rep dean Urdahl. “It’s not too late to come up with a sensible plan that respects hardworking taxpayers and maintains our Capitol complex for the next 100 years.”

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