ST. PAUL – The sale of $85 million in state bonds to fund construction of a new Senate complex in St. Paul was completed Tuesday. Grounbreaking on this hot-button project is expected to soon follow.
The building and adjacent parking ramp is due to cost nearly $90 million. Around $77 million of the total cost will be paid by taxpayers, something Rep. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, opposed as he and fellow House Republicans unanimously voted against the 2013 Tax Bill which included the Senate building.
“It concerns me that other viable, more cost-effective options for temporary offices were not given proper consideration,” Howe said. “Plenty of vacant office space exists in St. Paul that could have been used until work on the Capitol is completed in 2017. Besides, a recent letter from House Public Information Services indicates many Senators already have relocated their offices within the Capitol.”
The Senate building’s plan includes 67 Senate offices, yet Howe said there is little likelihood all Senators will reside there once the Capitol remodeling is complete.
“Not only are they making taxpayers pay for a building we don’t need, but there will end up being empty spaces in it since a number of Senators will remain at the Capitol,” Howe said. “In this day and age, our focus should be on setting priorities and cutting wasteful spending. Instead, they raised taxes by billions, in part, to pay for an unnecessary new Senate building.”
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