Lobbyists could have an office in the state Capitol by the start of the next legislative session under the terms of a $37,000 annual lease currently being discussed.

"The idea of leasing space is appealing, to be frank, because we are in a situation as a board of having to earn" revenue, said David Hart, head of the Capitol Preservation Board.

The board, which oversees the Capitol complex, is struggling to balance its budget by renting space. At the same time, the board has been criticized for charging nonprofit groups more than they can afford for meeting rooms.

Hart said he was approached for space by lobbyists who have formed an association. Lobbyists were assigned space in the basement at no charge, he said, before the Capitol shut down several years ago for a massive renovation.

Now, though, he is proposing charging them $18 a square foot for a basement space accessible only from outside the east stairs. Hart said the request for space came from several lobbyists who have banded together.

A contract is being drafted by the state, he said, and will be presented to the lobbyist group to review. Final approval of the deal has to come from the board, which includes leaders from the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

Details still to be settled in the proposed 5-year contract include who would keep chairs, electronics and other furnishings brought into the space, Hart said. The area had been used by legislative sergeants-at-arms, he said, but they have moved to a vacated printing office.

So far, he said, no other groups have approached the state to lease space in the Capitol. Hart said other requests would be difficult to accommodate because there is no other space available.

The only other non-government group with permanent space in the building is the news media. The media work space, also in the Capitol basement, is provided free of charge.

Hart said a survey of other states nationwide found that most Capitol buildings offered space to the media and lobbyists. "Lobbyists are part of the game," he said, describing such a space as "a lounge where lobbyists hang out."

The board is also considering a plan by Hart to cut or even eliminate the rental rates for rooms and auditoriums at the complex, at least when the Legislature meets. Currently, for example, groups have to pay $100 an hour to use the State Office Building auditorium.

"In effect, we're locking them out," Hart said, noting many nonprofits have no real source of revenue for rental fees. "What this attempts to do is provide them with an opportunity to meet. We see it as a public service."

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