Virtual File - Item

Text: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 7, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT:
Katie Fulkerson, 651-296-5133

Republicans Ask for Answers to Questions Regarding
New Senate Office Building Plans

(St. Paul, MN...) With Friday's release of updated architectural plans for the
new Senate Office Building, Senate Republicans have sent a letter to Majority
Leader Bakk and Commissioner Cronk requesting a public response to several
questions at today's Rules hearing. Republicans expect the appropriate people
to be in the room to answer these questions this afternoon.

April 7, 2014

Sen. Tom Bakk
Minnesota Senate
Capitol 226
Chairman, Senate Rules Committee

Commissioner Spencer Cronk
Minnesota Department of Administration
200 Administration Building
50 Sherburne Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55155

Gentlemen:
I am writing on behalf of the Republican members of the Senate Rules
Committee in advance of today's hearing on the proposed Senate office
building. In the spirit of getting clear answers for the public regarding this
proposal, we are sending you some of the key questions we plan to ask at
today's hearing.
I am asking you to have the right people in the room to help answer these
questions including staff from the Department of Administration,
representatives of the Governor, the House of Representatives and the Capitol
Area Architectural and Planning Board.
Questions:
According to testimony in the House Rules Committee last week, the new
building plan is larger and more expensive than the plan that left the Senate
Rules Committee in January.
1. What was the square footage of the proposed building as it left the
Senate Rules Committee last January?
2. What is the square footage of the proposed building approved by the
House Rules Committee last week?
3. What was the cost of the proposed building as it left the Senate Rules
Committee in January?
4. What is the cost of the proposed building approved by the House Rules
Committee last week?
5. If the new building is more expensive, what explains the increase in
cost?
The need for a new Senate office building is driven by the space allocation plan
for the state capitol. Please be prepared to show a blueprint for the Capitol
restoration that explains the proposed space allocation.
1. How much new space is planned for the governor's office in the capitol
renovation?
2. Please describe the difference between the governor's current space
and proposed space.
3. Why does the governor need the added space and what does his
administration plan to do with it?
4. How much new space is planned for the House?
5. Please describe the difference between the House's current space and
proposed space.
6. Why does the House need the added space and what does Speaker
Thissen and Majority Leader Murphy plan to do with it?
7. Will some House members have two offices, one in the capitol and one
in the State Office Building?
8. If this plan is approved and all 67 Senate offices are in the new building,
will the space allocation plan for the capitol renovation change?
9. Who will use the space currently set aside for Senate offices, specifically
the space adjacent to the Senate chamber on the second and third floors
of the capitol?
10. Will some Senators have two offices, one in the capitol and one in the
new Senate office building?
11. If this plan is approved, who will occupy the space on the first and
ground floors of the State Office Building, currently used by the Senate
minority?
12. Is the space allocation agreement final? Who signed off on the space
allocation agreement for the capitol renovation?
13. How much net new space (measured in square feet) will there be in the
capitol complex for the Governor, Senate and House once this plan is
approved and a new building is built?
14. Couldn't we solve our space problems by limiting the growth of the
Governor and House and repurposing some of the space in the State
Office Building? Please comment on Rep. Jim Knoblach's proposed
solution as printed in the StarTribune on March 26, 2014.
Other questions
1. Does this plan have to be approved by the Capitol Area Architectural
and Planning Board and will moving the mechanicals to the roof cause
this building to be taller than the capitol? How much taller?
2. According to testimony in the House Rules Committee, the debt service
for the revised plan is $6.4 million per year. How will this project be
funded? Will it be included in the bonding bill or the supplemental
budget bill this session?
We hope sending you these questions in advance will facilitate a more
productive hearing for the Senators on the committee and the public. Thank
you in advance for your cooperation.

Sen. David Hann
Senate Republican Leader
CC: Governor Mark Dayton
Members of the Senate Rules Committee