The Andy Caldwell Show
By Andy Caldwell
KZSB-AM, KSMA-AM & FM, KWWV-FM
"It's basically just the Joint Rules Committee, three people, you know, behind closed doors, just pushing this thing through."
Letter Urging State Leadership to Comply with State Law
By Richard Cowan & Paula Peper
Save Our Capitol!
"... urgently calling upon the JRC and DGS to promptly comply with State law and to submit a summary of the Capitol Annex project to OHP for its review before demolishing the historic Capitol building..."
Sacramento’s pricy Capitol Annex project
By Jon Coupal
Southern California News Group
"But rather than rehabilitate the Annex, the Legislature is bulldozing ahead with a demolish-and-rebuild plan to erect swanky new digs fit for a tech titan."
Capitol Annex Project on The Lou Desmond & Company Show
By Lou Desmond
KMET-AM
"... if you are building an office building to get the people's work done. No spas, no gyms, no beautiful sit down restaurants, because it's not an appropriate use of the money."
California's $1.4 Billion Capitol Annex Project
By Jennifer Horn
AB 870 The Answer
"A supermajority of Californians are vehemently speaking out against the expensive re-do and are calling on Californians to join in to #StopTheDemolition."
The Voice of the Foothills: Capitol Annex Project
By Charlie Simons
KAHI-AM
"It’s absolutely unconscionable to me. I sure appreciate you taking the time to let us all know about it. I think we need to get a little progress report from you. How much time do we got? When are they making this decision supposedly?"
New poll warns majority of CA opposes $1.4B Capitol Annex Project
By Matt Prichard
KUSI-TV
"... they don’t need to be building new. The building will adequately fit. All we have to do is do a rehabilitation on it."
Good Morning Monterey Bay: Capitol Annex Project
By Rosemary Chalmers
KSCO-AM
But unfortunately, Mr. Cooley got started down the road on demolition, and now I think he’s a little embarrassed to backtrack."
Preservation, environmental groups press for Capitol project restraint ahead of “imminent” demolition
By Sarah Downey
Northern California Record
Cowan noted that numerous environmental, taxpayer and other stakeholder groups have long pressed for more transparency from lawmakers, concerned that a commitment to demolition was made without thorough review.
KNX Morning News with Bob Brill: Capitol Annex Project
By Bob Brill
KNX Morning News
"Over the 70-year life of the Annex, they’ve failed to upgrade it, so they now say, 'Wow it needs a lot of help, let’s tear it down.'"
Taxifornia: California's Capitol Annex Project
By Jim Lacy & Don Romano
KABC-AM
"You know, it’s extraordinary. I just think that is shows the arrogance, the grandiosity of these so-called leaders we have in California. That’s about all I have to say about that."
Letter by Raymond Girvigian to State Leadership re: Capitol Annex Project
By Raymond Girvigian, FAIA
"The Capitol Annex Project has not been reviewed by the various state agencies, including the Office of Historic Preservation, the State Historical Building Safety Board, and the Historic State Capitol Commission, as required by applicable statutes."
Sacramento News Radio
By Nikka Magahis
KFBK News Radio
"... taxpayers shouldn’t be burdened with these extra costs when less expensive alternatives are available. In a recent survey commissioned by the group, 76% of people oppose the project."
Super Majority of Californians Oppose $1.4B Capitol Annex Project as Planned
By Save Our Capitol!
More than three-quarters (76.6%) of Californians oppose the state Legislature’s plan to spend $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars to demolish the historic Capitol Annex and build extravagant new legislative office spaces, a visitor center, and an underground parking garage.
Majority of Californians Oppose the Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
A majority of Californians (61.2%) support rehabilitating the historic Annex in its existing footprint.
Save the annex, save half a billion dollars
By Quentin Kopp
CalMatters
"So why won’t legislators consider spending at least $500 million fewer taxpayer dollars on a safe and functional office space? It’s hard to know since the approval process ignored the California Environmental Quality Act."
California forum letters: Bee readers take on PG&E, Capitol Annex Project, police pensions
By The Sacramento Bee
"Those of us who oppose the Capitol Annex Project do not oppose it because it will destroy a unique mid-century modern historic building, but because rehabilitation is completely feasible, cheaper and better for the environment."
Dozens Call to Stop New State Capitol Annex Project
By Good Day Sacramento
"Those against the demolition... also fear the project will ruin the character of capitol park and even impact future events on the West Steps."
Calls to Stop New State Capitol Annex Project
By CBS 13 News
"Those against the demolition call the project a waste of money saying that the existing building is solid and can be renovated to meet the needs of Capitol staff."
Capitol Annex Project Concerns
By FOX 40 News
"Preservationists, environmentalists, and tree experts hosted a public walking tour of Capitol Park. They say that project will negatively impact 100 big trees and are concerned of security risks associated with that new Annex."
Capitol annex renovations to cost taxpayers nearly $1B
By Anisca Miles, Ashley Zavala
FOX 40 News
Lawmakers say they expect the bulldozing to begin around March 2022, depending on how the courts rule in the multiple lawsuits filed against the project. “The legislature’s job was to maintain that building for the last 70 years, but they didn’t do that..."
Save Our Capitol! Files Lawsuit Against Joint Committee on Rules and Department of General Services
By Save Our Capitol!
"SOC’s purpose in bringing the suit is singular: to force the JRC and the DGS to follow the law that requires them to consult with the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) concerning the Capitol Annex Project..."
From Earl Warren to Gavin Newsom, governors worked this building. Its demolition nears
By Hannah Wiley
The Sacramento Bee
“There’s no question that the annex needs renovation, rehabilitation,” Peper said. “... there is a history that will be lost. My personal thought is move to the swing space, enjoy it. And renovate the existing annex.”
California to spend nearly $100M to fortify state Capitol following Jan. 6 attacks in Washington
By Dustin Gardiner
San Francisco Chronicle
"Demolition on the old Annex is expected to start early next year, pending the outcome of lawsuits filed by activists who say the project could displace rare and historic trees on the Capitol grounds."
Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief
By Save Our Capitol!
"Plaintiff Save Our Capitol! ("SOC")... seeks to enjoin the imminent demolition, and planned reconstruction, of California's historic Capitol Annex building... as unlawful, pending Defendants' full compliance with California Public Resources Code ("PRC") Sections 5024 and 5024.5.
California lawmakers vacate the Capitol annex, but lawsuits leave its future uncertain
By Nicole Nixon
Capital Public Radio
"Milford Wayne Donaldson, a preservation architect who advised the Obama administration and former governors Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger, accused Cooley and other state officials of not making a genuine effort to save the historic annex."
New digs — and a hefty price tag — for legislative office space
By Uriel Espinoza-Pacheco
Capitol Weekly
“The Legislature, they’ve been a poor steward. And it’s always been too inconvenient to do that upgrade. To me, it’s a little wrong to say now, ‘We should tear it down because of these needs, which we’ve ignored over the years.’”
California forum letters: Demolition by Neglect
By Richard Cowan
The Sacramento Bee
"Had the Legislature consulted the state historic preservation officer early in its planning as required by law, she could have warned them that this dishonored practice is used so often by greedy developers. It has a name: Demolition by neglect."
Save Our Capitol Rally
By FOX 40 News
"People rallied at the State Capitol to protest changes that are in the works there. That group, Save Our Capitol!, says that renovations planned for the Capitol Annex would potentially demolish the East Annex Building and eliminate more than 100 trees in the process."
Rally Against Proposed State Capitol Construction Project
By Good Day Sacramento
"People rallied at the State Capitol to protest the construction project of the building itself - the Capitol. Organizers of Save Our Capitol Rally say the Capitol Annex Project is shortsighted and unnecessary."
"Save Our Capitol" Rally Protest Demolition and Tree Removal
By KCRA 3 (NBC) News
"A rally outside the State Capitol targeted the governor and lawmakers. The group says they are violating state law with a $1.4 billion plan to demolish the Capitol Annex and remove trees."
California’s $1.2 billion Capitol renovation is underway. Activists are still trying to halt it
By Hannah Wiley
The Sacramento Bee
“Yes, it’s a 70-year-old building. But the state knows how to rehabilitate old buildings,” ... “The Legislature, they’ve been a poor steward. And it’s always been too inconvenient to do that upgrade..."
‘This is an incredibly important place.’ Why protesters oppose Capitol Annex project
By Paul Kitagaki, Jr.
The Sacramento Bee
Environmental and historic preservation activists protest on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, the demolition of the Capitol Annex – the east wing of the statehouse – and the removal of a number of historic trees from Capitol Park in Sacramento.
Rally: Wednesday, November 17 on West Steps
By Save Our Capitol!
The time is NOW. Join Save Our Capitol! and Public Accountability for Our Capitol on Wednesday, November 17 at 11:00am on the West Steps to stop the destruction of the historic Capitol Annex and surrounding Park. The voice of the people must be heard.
Urgent Request to Comply with State Law re: Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
The California Department of General Services (DGS) has not complied with state law regarding the Capitol Annex Project, although a fleet of demolition equipment is mobilizing around the Capitol Annex.
Capitol Excess
By Judd Spicer
California Business Journal
October 24, 2021
What California lawmakers are doing is prioritizing their “self-interest over the needs of struggling Californians by moving forward with a fiscally and environmentally irresponsible expansion,” Donaldson says.
State Lawmakers Choose Style Over Security for Capitol Annex Project
By Michael Leighton
The Independent
As a former Marine, current architect, and long-time Californian, I have concerns... They lie in the fact that no legislator or architect involved in the project discussed how an all-glass exterior poses security risks for state employees.
Capitol Waste Indeed
By Bruce Lee
Carmichael Times
It should not be too much to ask that a luxury project which sidelines the needs of Californians should itself be sidelined.
Letter to Governor Newsom
By Save Our Capitol!
Considering the Annex is at 70 years of age, the need for major improvements is a given. However, the opportunity exists to rehabilitate the Annex rather than to demolish this historic site.
Sacramento Patch Notebook
Sacramento Patch
Jeri Karges
Controversy is a-brewin' at the Capitol.
Time is Short to Save Our State Capitol
By Public Accountability for Our Capitol
More than 60 trees, including many massive historic trees, will be removed and others threatened. All at a staggering cost of up to $1 billion, using General Fund monies sorely needed for our state’s infrastructure and economic recovery.
"Save the Capitol, Save the Trees" Files Environmental Lawsuit Against California Department of General Services Challenging Pre-Commitment to the Proposed Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
The public-interest association filed the Petition for Writ of Mandamus on Friday, July 9, to enforce existing environmental laws and protect the legacy of the Golden State's historic Capitol Annex and Park.
Critics of Billion Dollar California Capitol Project Want More Transparency
The Epoch Times
By Jamie Joseph
California state lawmakers are preparing to demolish and reconstruct part of the state’s historic Capitol grounds to add more office spaces, costing somewhere between $775 million to $1.2 billion, according to critics.
2021 Arborist's Report
Tree Inventory and Impact Assessment Report related to the Proposed Double T Expanded Annex Footprint at the California State Capitol and Capitol Park. Prepared by Dr. Kent Julian, ISA Certified Arborist & California Professional Forester.
Environmentalists sue to block demolition of the California Capitol annex
The Sacramento Bee
By Hannah Wiley
“How tragic that after the Joint Rules Committee failed for decades to maintain and upgrade our world-recognized Capitol Annex, Californians are now asked to accept needless demolition to make it safe and useful again,” Richard Cowan.
Lawsuit filed against Capitol Annex Project
Sacramento Business Journal
By Ben van der Meer
"... the suit in Sacramento County Superior Court states that the memorandum of understanding for the project calls for demolishing the existing annex and building in its place, causing impacts that aren't mitigated."
Public Accountability for our Capitol AB 706 Opposition Letter
"The nearly $1 billion Capitol Annex Project is being decided in private by only three voting members: two legislators and one Governor's representative. This governance structure prevents the public from knowing what decisions are being made and how they are made."
Business, environmental groups push for Capitol Annex Project transparency
By Sarah Downey
Northern California Record
"A coalition of business and environmental leaders oppose the project and question how the Capitol Annex, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, could possibly be demolished."
The Capitol Annex Project: Demolition by Neglect
The Andy Caldwell Show
"If this were a private developer who owned a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as this one is, and they came to the State Historic Preservation Officer with this idea, they’d be kicked out of the office."
Saving California's "front porch"
The DeMaio Report
"Our idea is that we ought to take a few steps back, and truly plan the Capitol Annex Project in a transparent way."
A Capital Idea?
The Phil Cowan Show
"Although the legislature funded the cash to build the project at one time, as COVID hit California, those funds were swept out of that fund. And so, now the plan is to sell bonds which of course increases the cost tremendously."
More than 230 Small Businesses in California Oppose the Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
Why are our state’s elected officials prioritizing a billion-dollar luxury project when small businesses like ours are still reeling from the pandemic?
AB 706 Sets Bad Precedent for Future of Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
The Capitol Annex Project is being managed through a dictatorship, not a democracy – and Californians deserve better.
PAC Letter Opposing AB 706 (Cooley)
By Public Accountability for Our Capitol
PAC is opposed to AB 706 (Cooley) because it is trying to correct authority granted in AB 1826, an urgency measure, which appropriated $20 million for renovating and restoring the historic State Capitol.
Sunday Morning Newsmakers: Capitol Annex Project
KRLA Sunday Morning Newsmakers
By Larry Marino
Alongside another Commission member who resigned, Dick Cowan and others founded the Public Accountability for Our Capitol to get legislators to pause and replan the Capitol Annex Project.
Examining the California State Capitol Annex Project Update & FAQs
By Save Our Capitol!
On April 8, 2021, the California Joint Committee on Rules distributed a memo to all legislative staff containing an update and FAQs about the Capitol Annex Project. Are the answers accurate? Save Our Capitol! takes a look...
What's happening next with the Capitol Annex rebuild
By Ben van der Meer
Sacramento Business Journal
With less than six months before its current occupants begin moving into a new state office building to the south, replacing the Capitol Annex is beginning to see more opposition.
Part of a storied era in California politics, James Mills helped preserve California and its history
By George Skelton
Los Angeles Times
"One of his last preservation efforts was opposing the current under-the-radar $1-billion project to replace the state Capitol annex. It needs repairs and updating but not the planned demolition that would tarnish the Capitol’s grandeur."
Capitol Annex Project Met with Criticism
By Mike Blount
NewsRadio KFBK
A project to demolish the State Capitol Annex and build an underground parking garage visitor center in its place is being met with criticism from a group who say it's too costly and environmentally irresponsible.
Capitol Project Controversy
By KCRA News
"A lot of people may not have heard of the project, but a group is working to change that. They met on the steps of the State Capitol today and they say the state cannot afford this project and it will damage or destroy more than 100 historic trees."
Preservation Architect Letter Submitted to Joint Committee on Rules
By Mark Hulbert
Preservation Architect and Historic Research Consultant
"The choice is between erasing or embracing a central part of California’s history."
Lawmakers plan major demolition at California State Capitol
By Brandon Rittiman
ABC10
Leaders of the California legislature are pushing to demolish and replace a 1950’s annex building attached to the Capitol to make more space.
California lawmakers consider proposal for new billion-dollar Capitol Annex building
By ABC10
California state lawmakers are considering a billion-dollar project to demolish and replace the 1950's annex on the East side of the Capitol building, which houses the Governor's office and legislator offices and hearing rooms.
Preservationists, Environmentalists, and Small Businesses Protest Demolition of State Capitol
By Save Our Capitol!
"The Capitol Annex is in need of upgrades and repairs, but the California Legislature's Joint Committee on Rules ... has put off making those upgrades and repairs for nearly seventy years... Destroying the Golden State's history is not a solution."
Capitol Annex Project: No transparency and too costly
By Dick Cowan
Capitol Weekly
"I resigned (from the commission) in protest so I would be free to let the public know what was taking place at the taxpayers’ expense."
Former Assemblymembers Oppose Capitol Annex Project
By California Capitol Historic Preservation Society
"That's the result of stepping on the toes of the past preservationist Senate leaders Jim Mills and Nick Petris, who fought to restore and save the historic Capitol," the former UC Regent commented.
A colossal waste of money
By W. Bruce Lee
Sacramento News & Review
"Even without the COVID crisis, the Capitol Annex project is a stunning waste of taxpayer dollars, especially when the state has so many pressing matters that need to be addressed."
California’s Luxury State Capitol Robs Taxpayers, Lacks Transparency
By Michael Turnipseed
InsideSources
"The Capitol Annex Project is a wasteful venture that needs to be put on hold."
Capitol annex project: A textbook example of a boondoggle
By Quentin L. Kopp
Capitol Weekly
"I don’t believe the state can afford to use lease revenue bond money for a billion-dollar project while Californians struggle to survive during an unprecedented pandemic."
Preservationists, Environmentalists, Tribal, Small Business, and Taxpayers Advocates Sound Off on Billion Dollar Capitol Annex Project
By Save Our Capitol!
See what preservationists, environmentalists, small business, and taxpayers are saying about the costly project.
California Legislature’s Return Met With Calls to Stop the $1 Billion Capitol Annex Project
Organizations opposing the “Capitol Annex Project” are today urging legislators to focus on the needs of Californians and businesses recovering from COVID-19 hardships rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on a palatial project for legislators and lobbyists.
Stop the Billion-Dollar Demolition and Rebuild project!
State Legislators want taxpayers to pay for luxurious new offices for themselves, the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor. The Project would use revenue bonds for funding which would cost 30% more in interest on the debt over 30 years.
Stop the Blockade of the West Steps and Plaza
State Legislators want taxpayers to pay for luxurious new offices for themselves, the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor. The Project would use revenue bonds for funding which would cost 30% more in interest on the debt over 30 years.
Save Our Capitol Trees
“Development of proposed Capitol projects would require removal of 108 mature trees and likely cause significant damage to an additional 55 mature trees. Construction of the underground facilities will limit root growth and stability of future trees.”
Arborist Report: 2020 Tree Inventory
2020 Tree Inventory | California State Capitol Museum | Sacramento, California
Make your voice heard: A Free Public Forum to Mobilize Action
By California Preservation Foundation
Preservationists, small business advocates, government watchdogs, and environmentalists are opposing this project, and CPF is holding this public forum to inform and engage people so they can take action.
Construction, politics, secrecy clash in Capitol project
By Capitol Weekly
A fight is brewing in the Capitol – about the Capitol. It’s all about plans to build a new Visitors Center beneath the domed West Wing and demolish the 68-year-old East Annex, replacing it with one of three proposed buildings.
Letters: Delta tunnel, Sacramento Zoo, Biden, coronavirus, homeless
By Sacramento News & Review
Our leaders should be focused on helping California’s small businesses, rather than cushioning their offices at the Capitol and stripping us of valuable dollars.
Setting the Record Straight on the Capitol Building Boondoggle
By Save Our Capitol!
While politicians claim their costly project is necessary, facts prove otherwise.
Sacramento Taxpayers Association Opposes Costly and Unnecessary Remodel of Capitol Annex
By Sacramento Taxpayers Association
The Sacramento Taxpayers Association (SacTax) joins Save Our Capitol! alongside preservationists, small business advocates, government watchdogs, and environmentalists in opposing a project to demolish and rebuild the Capitol Annex.
FAQ: The Billion Dollar Vanity Project
By Save Our Capitol!
Californians are weathering a pandemic, historic wildfires, and an economic crisis, but state lawmakers believe the Capitol Annex project is still worth pursuing. So, what is it and who will it really serve? We have answers.
Paula Peper's Resignation from the Historic State Capitol Commission
By Paula Peper
I feel the Commission has been entirely obfuscated in our efforts to tend to the tasks we were legislatively assigned to complete. I can do more by serving the public at large.
Richard Cowan's Resignation from the Historic State Capitol Commission
By Richard Cowan
With regret, I hereby resign as a Commissioner of the Historic State Capitol Commission. I have taken my oath and duties as a Commissioner very seriously. But with regards to the East Annex project, I am being prevented from carrying out the Commission's statutory duties...
California Doesn’t Need to Build a Taj Mahal for the Governor and Members of Legislature
By Republicans of River City
"The taxpayers of California don't need to spend a billion dollars for members of the state legislature to sit in a Taj Mahal."
ICYMI: California’s Department of Finance Implements Permanent 5-percent Spending Reduction Across Departmental Offices
By Save Our Capitol!
On November 3, 2020, the Department of Finance sent Budget Letter 20-37 to state agencies and department heads calling for immediate actions to reduce costs while maximizing the efficiency of state operations.
California Preservationists, Environmentalists, and Small Business Supporters Call for a Stop to the Extravagant and Unnecessary Capitol Annex Demolition
By Save Our Capitol!
As California reels from humanitarian and economic crises, Save Our Capitol! urges Governor Newsom and the Legislature to pursue less costly Capitol restoration alternatives and direct critical state funding to struggling communities.
No Annexation Without Representation
Sactown Magazine
By Rob Turner
A billion-dollar plan to demolish and rebuild the State Capitol annex... is at least partly ill-conceived and entirely ill-timed. But there is the potential to create something great, if we just invite more people into “the people’s house.”
Stop The Demolition!
By Save Our Capitol!
The California Legislature is bulldozing ahead with the Joint Rules Committee's (JRC) billion-dollar demolition and rebuild project.
Sacramento’s most famous landmark is getting a makeover
The Sacramento Bee
By Hannah Wiley
The California Capitol is on track to get a makeover despite the economic fallout of the new recession, with plans to bulldoze the east wing office annex and replace it with an updated model by 2025.
