New state building plans vetoed by Perry resurface

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Rising office rent prices in downtown Austin has lawmakers again pushing for two new state buildings after Gov. Rick Perry vetoed those construction plans in 2013.

One proposed 360,000-square-foot addition would be the first new office building in the Capitol complex since 2000. The Texas Facilities Commission says construction would cost $174 million but also get nearly one-fourth of the state's existing leases in Austin off the books.

Republican state Sen. Kevin Eltife told the Austin American-Statesman (http://bit.ly/1H1U9Pe ) that the plans make sense given escalating rent prices as the Austin economy flourishes.

Perry had cited waiting for a new master Capitol complex plan due in 2016 when he vetoed the construction two years ago. Supporters are now hoping for better luck under Gov.-elect Greg Abbott, who takes office in January.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

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New state building plans vetoed by Perry resurface