Minnesota House Republicans Rally Against High Costs, Seek to Block New State Office Building Project

(KNSI) — Minnesota House Republicans say the price tag for the new State Office Building is too high and are moving to block it.

Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove offered a resolution in the Rules Committee Wednesday to rescind the House’s project approval. She says Democrats refused to debate the motion, claiming it needed to be pre-filed, despite subsequently admitting there is no pre-filing requirement.

“Democrats know that Minnesotans do not support a $730 million palace for politicians when they are struggling to pay for gas, groceries, and energy bills,” said Robbins. “Despite a $17.5 billion surplus, Democrats raised taxes on hardworking families by $10 billion last session to pay for their wasteful government spending and even that wasn’t enough. Now Minnesotans are expected to pay $730 million renovating a building that is only fully used five months each year while we are in session.”

House Minority Leader Representative Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring said earlier that the cost is “financial insanity.”

GOP leadership says the State Office Building costs more than the capitol restoration and Minnesota Senate Building projects combined.

Robbins is asking for a pause in the “exorbitant renovation of the State Office Building until we can find a solution that is more cost effective.” She added that the issue had been pre-filed for the next meeting.

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