Lexington Herald-Leader

May 29, 2008

State Senate offices to be expanded, renovated

Bids requested while other agencies face budget cuts

By John Cheves

jcheves@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT -- The Kentucky Senate is renovating its offices at the state Capitol Annex in Frankfort, while public health programs, law enforcement, education and other state services face cuts.

On Tuesday, the state requested bids for construction on the Annex's second floor to build new Senate offices, caucus rooms with kitchens, a press conference room and a Senate lounge. The 5,250 square feet of space previously was used by executive-branch agencies, which are slowly being evicted as the General Assembly claims more space in the Annex. New furniture, appliances and electronics will be purchased.

Senate President David Williams said he won't know the project's cost until bids are opened next week. But lawmakers can afford it. While the legislature this winter told Gov. Steve Beshear to cut $230 million from the executive branch's $9.1 billion budget, it awarded itself 13 percent more over two years, taking it up to $55.6 million in 2010. It tucked about $1.4 million for capital projects into this year's budget.

"It's nothing very extravagant," said Williams, R-Burkesville. "Each one of the senators will have an appropriate office now. We have at least one senator who has a rather small office."

But critics said Wednesday that they were stunned to learn that senators are making themselves more comfortable as the rest of Kentucky sacrifices.

"We wish the 52,000 children eligible for health insurance coverage through KCHIP, but not enrolled because of inadequate funds, would receive the same level of attention as the 5,250 square feet of Senate office space now being renovated," said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. "The emphasis on these self-serving projects over the needs of real people is sadly becoming the norm."

Sen. Ernesto Scorsone, D-Lexington, has challenged Williams previously on Senate office improvements. Scorsone publicly mocked Williams last year for installing a new 60-inch plasma-screen television in his office -- part of an earlier, $639,000-round of renovations -- and Williams ordered Scorsone off the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"This just adds insult to injury," Scorsone said Wednesday. "With all of the cuts to human services, to education, to proceed with the expansion and renovation of our Senate offices is sinful. How can we expect the public to hold any confidence in our actions if these are the kinds of priorities we have?"

Williams denied that state budget cuts are inflicting real pain.

"We're in relatively good shape with our state budget, compared to what some other state governments are going through," Williams said. Regarding the Health and Family Services Cabinet and the Justice Cabinet, both of which are reporting sweeping program cuts, he said, "You're talking about people who you couldn't print enough money for. I don't accept the premise that they're cutting anything to the bone."

As for the Senate's office improvements, Williams said, "You could go through a lot of things (in the state budget) and ask 'Is this proper?' or 'Is that proper?' But it's in the budget for the legislature, and it needs to be done. ... We can't shut down the legislature or fail to maintain the premises we have."

This is the third phase of improvements since 2003 to legislative offices and committee hearing rooms in the Capitol Annex, which have cost several million dollars so far, according to the Legislative Research Commission. Senate and House members get individual offices on the second, third and fourth floors of the Annex. Williams and other legislative leaders also get second offices in the Capitol itself near the Senate and House chambers.

In coming months, as more executive branch agencies are moved out of the third and fourth floors of the Annex -- a move ordered by the legislature -- additional House office space might be expanded and renovated as well, said LRC Director Robert Sherman.