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A former Republican state representative from St. Cloud is going to court to try to stop the construction of a new $90 million Senate office project near the Minnesota Capitol.

Jim Knoblach, who’s been out of the Legislature nearly seven years, announced his lawsuit today at a news conference. He described the project as wasteful and unnecessary.

“We do not need to spend $90 million on a building for a few dozen senators and staff who are only going to be here a few months a year,” Knoblach said.

DFL lawmakers included $3 million in planning money for the project in the omnibus tax bill they passed last session. They also authorized a lease-purchase agreement and the use of revenue bonds to build it. But Knoblach contends the provision violates the single-subject rule for laws, which is called for in the state constitution. He was particularly critical of the DFL Senate leaders who backed the measure.

“I can’t believe that they would potentially jeopardize the entire tax bill because of their desire to build this new building,” he said. “But in fact, by putting this building in the tax bill, that is exactly what they are doing.”

Knoblach’s attorney, Erick Kaardal, also said a judge could decide to take down the entire tax bill.

“Will Gov. Dayton’s tax increases be thrown out too?,” Kaardal asked. “I think everyone would agree that they should be thrown out so the Legislature knows the courts are serious about enforcing this provision.”

The lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court names DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Department of Administration Commissioner Spencer Cronk as defendants.  A spokesman for the governor said they just received the lawsuit, and legal counsel was reviewing it.

Knoblach had been considering a run for Congress next year in the 6

district. But he said he recently decided against entering that contest.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, issued a statement defending the legislation and the project.

Here is a project timetable provided by the state Dept. of Administration:

Matt Swenson, the governor's  press secretary, released this statement:

Politics and Government News

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Tim Pugmire

Author

A former Republican state representative from St. Cloud is going to court to try to stop the construction of a new $90 million Senate office project near the Minnesota Capitol.


Lawsuit aims to stop state Senate office building

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