State Legislators want taxpayers to pay for luxurious new offices for themselves, the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor. The Project would use revenue bonds for funding which would cost 30% more in interest on the debt over 30 years.

Instead of pursuing this wildly irresponsible waste of taxpayer dollars, the Legislature should restore the historic Capitol Annex––a much lower cost. Spend all other available monies on Californians suffering from the pandemic, lockdown, and wildfires.

The Guardian

Stop stealth practices which deny the People truth, transparency, and trust in self-governance.

The Capitol Annex Project was conceived in a secretive Joint Rules Committee (JRC) meeting, without public input––the same public that now will be on the hook for the cost of the extravagant, expanded workplace at a time when the Governor has mandated more telecommuting.

The project was approved without providing information to the Historic State Capitol Commission. This Commission is required by law to advise the Legislature on any changes to the historic Capitol and grounds.

Two of the seven members of the Capitol Commission resigned in protest of these stealth practices and began to get out the word to the public and the media about what is at stake.

2020

2018

2016

Save Our Capitol! is calling for bipartisan participation to stop this waste of lawmakers’ time and taxpayers’ money. as proposed, the project would:

Stan Drury

Blockade free and open access to the West Steps and Plaza where Californians gather to exercise our constitutional freedoms of religion, speech, the press, to assemble peaceably, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances;

Demolish the historic Capitol Annex where offices of the Governor and Legislators are located;

Bulldoze 100+ irreplaceable trees in Capitol Park;

Thwart efforts by Tribal Communities to assure that sensitive cultural resource sites are not impacted by the project.

Everyone who loves and cares about California—its people, its promise, its future—has a stake in this project.

Alternatives already exist!

Preserve the historic Capitol Annex and use the “Swing” Building for additional office space.

Offices of the Executive and Legislative branches would remain at the historic Capitol within the footprint of the newly restored historic Annex. Additional needs for space, including administrative staff, would be accommodated permanently within the nearby “Swing” Building at 10th and O Streets.

The “Swing” Building is fully funded– $450 million
It has more office space than the proposed new Annex.
It has on-site parking.
It already is being built!

People in crisis must come first!

Stop the billion-dollar demolition!

Stop the blockade of the West Steps and Plaza!

Stop the destruction of trees in Capitol Park!

Restore and preserve the historic Capitol Annex and use the “Swing” Building for additional office space.

This alternative would restore the Annex within its existing footprint, would eliminate the proposed Visitor Center and underground parking, and would preserve the sacred ground and cultural resources of Tribal Communities—compelling reasons why the billion-dollar demolition is not needed.
Comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines. Comply with current codes for fire, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Upgrade existing underground parking for safety and security. Relocate all additional parking to the “Swing” Building and elsewhere off-site.

Preserve architectural integrity

Eliminate the Visitor Center which would blockade access to the West Steps and Plaza.
Reactivate the Historic State Capitol Commission required by law to review and advise the Legislature on any changes to the historic Capitol and grounds, “to insure its proper architectural and historical integrity,” California
Legislature Resolution #35 1976.

Save all trees

Since the restored Annex would not exceed the existing footprint, no trees would need to be removed. Trees would need to be protected from impacts
during restoration construction.
Fund the Master Plan of Trees for Capitol Park, as had been agreed to in 2012, to plan for the preservation of the Park for the next 50 years.

Protect the environment and the public process

Everyone who loves and cares about California—its people, its promise, its future—has a stake in this project. We need your help to restore the historic Capitol Annex and to preserve not only our environment, but also informed
self-government.
Enforce CEQA and recirculate the final plans with an updated Environmental Impact Report.
Permit public participation in the process and public access to all governing documents and public records.

Save taxpayer dollars

Estimated costs for the restored Annex are $200 to $300 million.
Require oversight by the Office of the Auditor General and the Legislative Analyst’s Office for all plans, construction, and expenditures.

Kent Julin, PhD