Save Our Capitol!

California wants to destroy a landmark. Tell them to HALT the $1B+ #CapitolAnnexProject & save the West Steps. Take action:

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

@SteveHiltonx potentially some good talking points for you here 👀

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

We've been sounding the alarm about how expensive the project will be since 2021...and that was our prediction before today's 3.81% inflation rate. The final cost is most definitely going to be insane 👀

https://t.co/lXRBBi9X9e

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

We know of at least $1.2b sitting around that could help with this issue...😏via @CalMatters https://t.co/eylJ1pZWzC

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

👀👇

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

The interview above is with Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco and State Senator John Laird, who are elected and in charge of the $1.2B project.

More:
https://t.co/dMjfepPRvS

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

Who is actually making decisions on the Capitol Annex project?

Unelected staff advised lawmakers to use non-disclosure agreements that are keeping basic project info a secret.

Sources also told us Senate Secretary Erika Contreras made a decision that could cost taxpayers $70M

[Point of Order Podcast @pointoforderpod]

Assemblyman @joshua_hoover sits down with budget expert Tom Sheehy to discuss the Governor’s May Revise budget proposal, the recent Appropriations suspense hearing, and an update on the Capitol Annex Project.

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

It's an absolute mess downtown thanks to the never-ending #CapitolAnnexProject. Businesses are closing and trees are dying - for what? A completely unnecessary $1.2B boondoggle.

Thank you @Videoguy4u for your work capturing the demise of the Annex, a historic building that could have easily been rehabbed like others in the area. #SaveOurCapitol

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

A reminder that we've been raising the alarm for awhile that this project would be over budget 👀

[Save Our Capitol! @SaveOurCapitol]

Florida is upgrading its Capitol for ~$300M, keeping history intact + improving security & infrastructure. Meanwhile, CA bulldozed its historic Annex and is spending more than $1.2 BILLION with no real oversight. More via @TDOnline:
https://t.co/kfQLoxRKak

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

NEW:
California Capitol Annex project leaders say the construction's new cost estimate is $1.2 Billion, a slight increase from the last estimate four years ago.

They say cost overruns total $98M so far.

They are still not providing records or proof🧵..
https://t.co/5gsJG0373j

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

California lawmakers overseeing the Capitol Annex Project did not provide proof to back up the updated $1.2B price tag released today.

When I asked them why taxpayers should trust them, they defended the non-disclosure agreements on the project.

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

FULL REPORT:
California Capitol Annex project leaders say the cost has increased because of supply chain issues, inflation & litigation.

Sources say it's also because of big decisions happening behind closed doors, without public input.

Taxpayers are on the hook for all of it

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

Will there be regular public hearings on the $1.2B California Capitol Annex project moving forward?

The last one was in 2021.

State lawmakers in charge of the project would not say.

Project leader Asm. Blanca Pacheco said public info posted on the website is more important.

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

The California lawmakers in charge of the Capitol Annex Project broke their promise to be more transparent.

They refuse to hand over key cost records, stating that keeping them secret is in the public's best interest.

After three rejected interview requests, I confronted them:

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

I filed a CALeg Open Records request for the monthly updates and cost forecast from Turner Construction, the company working on the Capitol Annex Project.

Lawmakers basically told me they'll hand them over after the building is finished in Fall of 2027.
https://t.co/odYoWqDwmy

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

Worth noting the California State Senator involved here, John Laird, is leading the Senate's powerful budget committee this year.

When I asked him repeatedly why people should trust him with money based on his handling of Capitol Annex, he kept saying, "we will be transparent"

[Josh Hoover @joshua_hoover]

I introduced legislation to void the existing NDAs on the Capitol Annex Project and end the secrecy. It still hasn’t been referred to a policy committee for consideration.

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

California lawmakers will take off for Spring Break today without giving taxpayers the update promised on the cost of Capitol Annex Project.

The two lawmakers in charge of the project have failed to follow through with their vow to be more transparent.
https://t.co/kBIuBcOxrs

[David Tangipa @DavidTangipa]

HOW DO WE HAVE NDAS ON THE PUBLIC’S MONEY!

How do the people of California not rise up and demand better?

Amazing job by Assemblyman @joshua_hoover for asking the right questions!

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

The officials in charge of the California Capitol Annex project are hiding cost information not just from the public, but also most state lawmakers.

Asm. @joshua_hoover says lawmakers need to know to prepare and plan. He's hopeful Gov. Newsom will step in:

[Ashley Zavala @ZavalaA]

Hoover said all of his bills this year have been referred to committees except one: AB 2445, which would invalidate the NDAs on the Capitol Annex Project and prohibit this kind of secrecy on state projects moving forward.

We talk about that here:
https://t.co/cvoYfb3FMP

[Josh Hoover @joshua_hoover]

The Capitol Annex Project is one of the biggest examples of what’s wrong with California state government.

No transparency.

No accountability.

No self-awareness.

This isn’t just about an ugly $1 billion building for politicians. It’s about a pattern of disdain for taxpayers.