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A
major political battle is shaping up in Richmond,
but this one isn't about a tax hike for
transportation. It involves a little-noticed plan
advocated by the leadership of the state Senate to
spend another $400 million on buildings around the
Capitol, in addition to the $120 million or so
already being spent on the Capitol renovation and
several adjacent buildings.
It was just a few years ago that the General
Assembly authorized the major renovation of the
Governor's Mansion, which carried a price tag of
$7.2 million. Thirteen years ago, legislators felt
the wrath of voters for authorizing a mere $19
million for a building next to the Capitol to house
the state lottery bureaucracy. That plan was later
canceled by the General Assembly because of
widespread opposition once the public learned of it.
The recurring feature of construction plans for the
seat of government is legislative stealth. Seldom is
adequate notice provided to the taxpayers and voters
of the commonwealth about these plans before the
decisions are made.
A year ago, during negotiations between House and
Senate conferees over amendments to the 2004-2006
state budget, the Senate insisted on authorizing
studies of the General Assembly Building and the
Supreme Court Building next to the Capitol. Once the
studies were completed, the Senate pressed to
authorize the projects.
Because so much has been done on these proposed
projects without adequate public notice, state
taxpayers are unlikely to accept the justifications
offered by senators sponsoring the projects. What
provoked much public antipathy in 1993 to the
lottery building plan were reactions from some
legislators that implied the taxpayers of the
commonwealth had no business challenging the
judgment of elected officials on such projects. This
is not the first complaint in this space about how
state officials make decisions regarding the
demolition, renovation and construction of buildings
at the Capitol. More than dollars are at stake.
Jefferson's Capitol building and the structures that
surround it are a shared treasure. Legislators
understandably do not look upon these buildings in
the same way they view other state buildings. They
tend to have possessive feelings about these
structures because they work in them. The long
history of decisions by elected officials about the
physical appearance of the Capitol and its environs
does not inspire confidence. It is not merely the
place where the governor and members of the General
Assembly perform most of their official functions.
The convenience of elected officials is not even the
most important consideration.
The Capitol, the Governor's Mansion and other nearby
buildings are also more than historic structures to
be preserved. They are perhaps the most important
government structures in the commonwealth because
they represent the stability, the continuity and the
legitimacy of our government. These are vital
symbols held in trust for all Virginians. The way
the Senate has proceeded once again with planning
for major modifications to these buildings is
certain to create skepticism among taxpayers.
Changes of this significance should be approached
carefully and with extraordinary effort to bring the
people of Virginia along from the outset.
It is worth noting that funding for these
renovation, demolition and construction activities
is an issue currently dividing the House and the
Senate and one that contributes to the budget
impasse that has delayed enactment of a biennial
appropriations act longer than at any time in the
state's history. As with other issues involved in
the budget stalemate, it has more to do with ego
than the public interest. The Senate proponents
would be well advised to defer this matter.
–
May 15, 2006
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