FOX 26 News
By Karl Cooke
May 28, 2025
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Earlier this month we reported about the concerns of the state's Capitol Annex Project. Now FOX26 is working to get an update into how it's affecting taxpayer dollars.
Back in 2018, state leaders approved to green light a project for a new state annex building in what's called the Capitol Annex Project. In its initial planning, costs were expected to total over $500 million.
But since that time, the costs have now ballooned to be over $1 billion, which falls back on taxpayers since the funding comes from the state's General Fund.
But what's causing the costs to double in price? That's what FOX26 looked to find out as the station reached out via email to the Assembly Annex for a response.
After requesting the reason for the rise in costs, FOX26 was given an automatic response that said they would reach back out as soon as possible. Nearly a week later and the station still hasn't been given a response.
It's also important to note that the last discussion of the project was back in 2021.
The Governor's Office also says the proposed budget by Governor Newsom does not contain any adjustments to the project, and it is overlooked by the Joint Rules Committee.
