07-21-2009, 11:47 AM
The fate of new state police headquarters in Lansing will remain in limbo for at least two weeks after House officials delayed a committee vote Thursday on funding for it.
State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said House Republican leadership informed him Thursday that deliberations on the issue likely would resume after a two-week break, which began today.
The House State Police and Military Affairs Subcommittee had been scheduled to take up the state police budget Thursday morning, but adjourned without reviewing it.
State Rep. Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland, committee chairman, said the matter was delayed because fiscal analysts are considering potential changes to the Senate bill.
Last week, the Senate voted 26-9 not to lease the new structure nearing completion at Kalamazoo Street and Grand Avenue for $3 million per year after some lawmakers said they could not justify the expense as the state prepares to lay off 100 troopers. It is costing developers Joel Ferguson and Gary Granger about $39 million to build, and the state has a 25-year lease with an option to buy it for $1.
"I think (House Democratic leaders) realized that many of their members are opposed to spending tax dollars for it at this time," Jones said. "I'm declaring victory that so far we've been able to stop this expensive lease when troopers are facing layoff."
In recent days, Michigan business organizations, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, have blasted the Senate action, saying the measure to terminate the lease sends the wrong message to the state's business community.
"Though I share some of the concerns raised about the project, I fear that the ramifications of backing out now are significant and may be more costly to our state in the long term," said state Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Critics of the project say it makes more sense for the state to continue to lease facilities for police headquarters from Michigan State University in East Lansing for $1 a year, although state officials say those facilities need substantial upgrades.
A state analysis shows the agency could stay in its existing facilities for 11 years for $39.3 million. By contrast, the state would spend $45.2 million on lease payments for the downtown Lansing building in the first 11 years.
Jones questions the amount of renovations needed for the current East Lansing headquarters, noting MSU now is considering other uses for the facilities in the expectation that state police will move out next year. The state has a lease to rent the facilities through 2030.
"We continue to consider and evaluate possible future uses for the facility, including growing and very positive opportunities related to economic development," said Terry Denbow, MSU's vice president of university relations.
For the full article, see Scott Davis, "Decision on state police HQ delayed; 2-week break for House interrupts deliberations", Lansing State Journal, June 26, 2009.
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State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said House Republican leadership informed him Thursday that deliberations on the issue likely would resume after a two-week break, which began today.
The House State Police and Military Affairs Subcommittee had been scheduled to take up the state police budget Thursday morning, but adjourned without reviewing it.
State Rep. Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland, committee chairman, said the matter was delayed because fiscal analysts are considering potential changes to the Senate bill.
Last week, the Senate voted 26-9 not to lease the new structure nearing completion at Kalamazoo Street and Grand Avenue for $3 million per year after some lawmakers said they could not justify the expense as the state prepares to lay off 100 troopers. It is costing developers Joel Ferguson and Gary Granger about $39 million to build, and the state has a 25-year lease with an option to buy it for $1.
"I think (House Democratic leaders) realized that many of their members are opposed to spending tax dollars for it at this time," Jones said. "I'm declaring victory that so far we've been able to stop this expensive lease when troopers are facing layoff."
In recent days, Michigan business organizations, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, have blasted the Senate action, saying the measure to terminate the lease sends the wrong message to the state's business community.
"Though I share some of the concerns raised about the project, I fear that the ramifications of backing out now are significant and may be more costly to our state in the long term," said state Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Critics of the project say it makes more sense for the state to continue to lease facilities for police headquarters from Michigan State University in East Lansing for $1 a year, although state officials say those facilities need substantial upgrades.
A state analysis shows the agency could stay in its existing facilities for 11 years for $39.3 million. By contrast, the state would spend $45.2 million on lease payments for the downtown Lansing building in the first 11 years.
Jones questions the amount of renovations needed for the current East Lansing headquarters, noting MSU now is considering other uses for the facilities in the expectation that state police will move out next year. The state has a lease to rent the facilities through 2030.
"We continue to consider and evaluate possible future uses for the facility, including growing and very positive opportunities related to economic development," said Terry Denbow, MSU's vice president of university relations.
For the full article, see Scott Davis, "Decision on state police HQ delayed; 2-week break for House interrupts deliberations", Lansing State Journal, June 26, 2009.
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Go fuck yourself. Hard.