Judge tosses lawsuit over new Senate offices

Posted: 4:49 pm Fri, February 7, 2014 By The AssociatedPress Tags: Jim Knoblach, Lezlie Ott Marek, Minnesota Senate Office, Paul Thissen 4:49 pm Fri, February 7, 2014

A rendering shows the proposed legislative office building to be built next to the Capitol in St. Paul. (AP photo: Administration Department via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

A legal challenge to a new $63 million Minnesota Senate Office building has been dismissed.

Ramsey County Judge Lezlie Ott Marek ruled Thursday against a former Republican legislator who wants to block construction of the new building. The judge said former state Rep. Jim Knoblachs claim that authorization of the building was flawed didnt hold up.

Minnesota Public Radio News reported that the judge found the building was legitimately included in a larger tax bill that lawmakers passed last year.

The project, which includes a separate $27 million parking ramp, still needs one more legislative sign-off. Members of the House rules committee must OK the building design. Democratic House Speaker Paul Thissen says that other less-expensive options should be considered.

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Judge tosses lawsuit over new Senate offices