Guest view: A Legislative Hall expansion for General Assembly that meets only a short time each year

 I want to first thank Senator Walsh, chair, and the staff of the Senate Capital Improvement Committee for holding these hearings in such a professional manner and for providing time for members of the public to testify at these hearings.

I testify today in opposition to OMB’s request for $50,000,000 included in the current bond bill (SB 30) for Legislative Hall Renovation/Expansion/Parking Garage.

In addition to the $50,000,000 in SB 30, OMB has request 50,000,000 in FY 2027, and 10,000,000 in FY 2028; amounts included in item 14  of OMB’s budget submission at their November 2024 budget presentation.

In addition to doubling the size of Legislative Hall, a 247 space parking lot is planned connected to Legislative Hall by an underground tunnel to shield our legislators from a prying public as they travel 100 feet underneath the street, from the parking lot through this tunnel totally protected from the elements.

Last November, as I rode the state supported Dart bus from Wilmington to Dover to attend the OMB budget hearings, I was struck by how many parking slots were available for the public on the streets and lots adjacent to the Haslett Armory where those hearings took place.

 So how busy is the General Assembly. 

 As of today, the legislators are scheduled to be in session in 2025 for 42 days, 11.5% of the year.

110,000,000 for 62 legislators to use 42 days of the year. 

I don’t think so.

I urge the Senate Capital Improvement Committee to take this money allocated for our legislators and prioritize it to uses that are in the public interest; school improvements, housing assistance and help for the Food Bank which is in serious trouble from federal funding cutbacks.