Ineresting: "Hart said it would cost taxpayers roughly $70 million to tear down the State Office Building, which was constructed in the early 1960s, and replace it with another three-story building matching the House and Senate office structures."

If you consider that the State Office Building is a six story structure and houses the bulk of the central computers for the state, as well as the majority of the state computer support personnel, $70 million seems to not quite cover the entire project.

Instead of another 70 million lavished on a group that spends 45 days in session, how about our children who spend 180 days in session. Many of our our schools are more than 45 years old. Most people don't seem to be losing too much sleep over their working and studying in outdated facilities.

That building was brand-new when my 4th grade class took the tour. It was pretty impressive. I remember looking around my classroom the following day thinking it would be cool to have a class as nice as that. My school was build in 1906.

People make strange decisions when there is extra money laying around. Perhpas they might consider giving it back to those who earned it if they can't come up for a more noble use for the money.

The article states "Hart said it would cost taxpayers roughly $70 million to tear down the State Office Building, which was constructed in the early 1960s, and replace it with another three-story building matching the House and Senate office structures."

Mr. Hart does not explain how the six story State Office Building becomes a three story building or what becomes of the bulk of the state's central computers or a good portion of the state's computer center support personnel, currently housed within the State Office Building (probably part of that extensive remodel a few years ago.)

Also not mentioned is how the above items are addressed under a $70 million budget.

Apparently, more big ticket budget items are to come from the legislature.

So, here, once again, we see the arrogance of our legislature. They have gone to great lengths to isolate themselves from the very taxpayers who elected them and, whose money they are spending to do so. Now, they will not have to suffer dealing with the riff-raff public as they move from meeting to meeting in which they decide the issues that affect out lives. I, for one, am fed up with their elitist attitude. When will we ever have the wherewithal to send them a message through tht ballot box that this is not acceptable behavior?

The Capitol remodel story focuses on what it will do for legislators. I'd like to know more of how it will make it easier for the public to observe and take part in the legislative process. I am hopeful that the House chambers voting board and bill list board will be located so that the public will be able to easily read the boards from most areas of the gallery. If legislators can see those tallies on their laptops, the boards should be placed on the back wall of the chamber where it can be seen by those who come to observe the process. Anything that makes it easier for the public to participate in their government processes is a plus.

I like the fact that they have restored th capital buildingm it is an important symbol as well as a beutiful building, however all of the additional "stuff" ecspecially taking down a perfectly fucnctional building and replacing it with on of a similar size just to change the style of the building is extremely irresponsible. There are teachers that need to be paid, children that need to be insured, roads and transit to be built. Come on legislators don't you think youv'e spent enough on yourselfs for a couple of years.

The State Office Building is still a perfectly good building. It no longer fits aesthetically with the other building on the hill, but that should not be sufficient justification for its removal before the end of its useful life. It's fine to think about it now, but let's not get all carried away at this time. Incidentally, John M's earlier comments were way off base. The Legislature does not occupy that building during the regular 45 day session or during the interim meeting days that are held throughout the year. It is occupied by dedicated, hard-working state employees, many of who have been forced to travel by shuttle van each day as the capitol remodel has been taking place.