As a member of the General Assembly, I have an obligation to preserve public buildings of historic significance and provide a safe workplace for essential functions of government. Some of our state buildings are quickly deteriorating beyond the point of repair. These buildings are not safe. They are not good working or living environments, and we are losing money in utility costs, lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims.
We not only need to provide a safe workplace to the people working in these buildings but to the visitors as well. House Bills 17, 18, and 19 are aimed at protecting some of our state’s greatest assets – our public buildings. These bills were a result of bipartisan collaboration, and the governor signed and gave his approval earlier this month. They will allow Missouri to use bonds to pay for repairs to many of the state’s deteriorating buildings, and will also allow the state to make payments on projects already in place.
Last year, the Legislature took advantage of Missouri’s AAA credit rating to approve the issuance of up to $600 million in low-interest, marketable bonds for the repair of crumbling state infrastructure. With the low interest rates and Missouri’s excellent bond rating, investors are quick to purchase state bonds when they are offered.
House Bill 19 contains a plan to use approximately $310 million for new maintenance and repair projects. That includes $150 million for repairs of state-owned buildings and $160 in repairs for higher education facilities. Of the $150 million for repairs of state-owned buildings, $40 million will go towards long overdue repairs to the deteriorating State Capitol building, and $100 million is slated for other state buildings. The measures also include funding to pay for various maintenance projects at colleges and universities across the state, as well as much-needed renovations for veterans’ homes.
Our state buildings are a representation of our state and need to be preserved for our children and the future. The funding set aside for the nearly 100 year old Capitol building will do just that. On June 24, 1915, state and civic leaders from across Missouri gathered in Jefferson City to dedicate the laying of a new Capitol cornerstone. At the time, a copper box containing items selected by the Capitol Commission Board was sealed within the stone. Workers uncovered that box earlier this month, and the contents will be unveiled on Friday, July 3, at 1:00 p.m. on the south lawn of the Capitol building. At that time, contents of a new box will be announced. This event is open to the public and the Missouri State Capitol Commission will host an ice cream social immediately following the ceremony. For more information go to http://www.mo.gov/timecapsule.
I always appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about the topics discussed above, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
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