Heard the one about the $500 million S.O.B.?

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Last Wednesday, the state of Minnesota sold $454 million in debt to fund a remodel and expansion of the State Office Building. This building is home to the Minnesota House and its staff and the secretary of state office. The massive expansion will double the size of the current building.

If you are hearing about this project for the first time, you are not alone. There was no public conversation about the nearly $500 million expansion before it was formally introduced and approved, all on the same day, on a party-line vote last December.

Is this the best use of almost $500 million of taxpayer dollars? Minnesotans we have spoken to do not believe so.

To be clear, the current State Office Building needs security upgrades, improvements to the HVAC system, and additional public space so Minnesotans can more easily access elected officials. However, the price tag for Minnesota House Democrats' $500 million office expansion is over five times what was spent to build the controversial Minnesota Senate Office Building less than a decade ago. It is also nearly double what lawmakers, on a bipartisan basis, agreed to spend on a multiyear restoration of the State Capitol.

This past summer, we created the Suburban Solutions Caucus. This is a group of like-minded legislators looking to work together to bring reasonable, balanced solutions that reflect the voice of Minnesotans. There is nothing reasonable about a $500 million office building for politicians. We hear from folks every day about the rising cost of living and how so many are being forced to pay more for less. State lawmakers should be focusing on fiscal responsibility and helping people afford gas, groceries, clothes and other necessities.

Unfortunately, what folks in the suburbs got from the Minnesota Legislature this year was higher sales taxes, higher gas taxes, higher vehicle tab fees and out-of-control spending. In one year, the state budget increased more than in the last 10 years combined.

But even in an era where government spending is through the roof, $500 million is still not a rounding error. Instead of posh offices for politicians, there are real needs across our state that could be met with that money. Big cities, suburbs and small towns alike need upgrades to wastewater treatment plants that will lead to cleaner lakes and rivers, senior care facilities need funding to provide care for aging Minnesotans, roads and bridges need to be repaired, local parks and trails have deferred maintenance needs, and much more.

Five hundred million still buys a lot of good if we listen to what our local communities need.

We also could have used some of these funds to provide stability for teacher pensions and to reduce the retirement age for teachers who do such an incredible job educating students or to invest in technical colleges.

One-party control of our state has confirmed many Minnesotans' belief that lawmakers simply do not listen and that they are not interested in compromise.

As new members of the Minnesota Legislature, the Suburban Solutions Caucus was created to focus on balanced approaches that bring reasonable solutions to our shared priorities. We are committed to the idea that our role in public service means listening, working together and prioritizing solutions that improve the lives of everyday Minnesotans.

We are calling for legislative leaders to reconsider this brand-new office building so we can address and balance the critical needs of families and communities across our state. Basic maintenance needs should be met before doubling the size of politicians' offices.

We will do our part to bring common sense solutions back to state government and invest in your priorities. And we want you to make your voice heard and demand better from your elected officials.

Andrew Myers, Tonka Bay; Patti Anderson, Dellwood; Mark Wiens, Lake Elmo; Jeff Witte, Lakeville; Shane Hudella, Hastings; Ben Bakeberg, Jordan, and Danny Nadeau, Rogers, are members of the Minnesota House. All are Republicans.