Leaking water isn't good, whether in a boat, your home or your office. I know that sounds like the beginning of a commercial, but it's true. A leak has to be fixed before it causes damage, and the longer it's left, the worse the damage usually gets.
In March 2018, the state began a $30 million renovation of the exterior of the State Capitol. It lasted over two years, and anyone who drove by the building during that period likely remembers the entire building wrapped in scaffolding and plastic sheeting. The result was a beautifully restored exterior, with repair to the structural damage the exterior of the building had suffered over the last 100 years. Today, the outside of the building is probably in as good of a shape as it has been since it was new. The interior of the building is a different story.
When the Capitol was designed, more than 100 years ago, the needs of the building were very different. The Legislature only met every other year. Representatives and senators didn't have individual offices. The House Lounge and Senate Lounge were used just as their names suggest, as places for the legislators to hang out during the day, as they waited for committee hearings or session to begin.
Today, space in the building is precious. In the House of Representatives, some legislators are squeezed into inadequate spaces, with four or five people sharing a suite. More pressing than that are the needed repairs in the interior of the building.
In the hall across from my office, the paint is peeling off the wall. This is a result of several issues, including leaking pipes from the antiquated heating and cooling system. The interior of the Capitol is home to a collection of priceless artwork, as well as the artifacts on display in the Missouri State Museum. The potential for damage to these state treasures is high, and something we can't allow to happen.
There are other historic buildings near the Capitol with similar problems. The Governor's Mansion was built in 1871 and has needed extensive repairs in recent years. The Missouri Supreme Court building was opened in 1907. Like the Capitol, the Supreme Court building is a working office building and courthouse, in addition to being a historic structure.
It's tempting to delay maintenance on old buildings like these, especially when there are so many competing interests when formulating our state budget. However, I think it has become obvious over the last few years that postponing these necessary repairs inevitably leads to more problems and exponentially greater expense. A stitch in time saves nine, after all.
Over the last few years, I have worked to find solutions to the needs of our historic buildings here in Jefferson City. This year, we successfully passed my Senate Bill 36, also known as the Capitol Complex Tax Credit Act. This bill will give a 50 percent tax credit on any donation made to preserve and repair the historic buildings in the Capitol Complex, as well as for any donation of antiques for display in these buildings.
This is a common sense program that will potentially result in a doubling of funds that can be used to keep our historic buildings in shape, at no extra cost to average taxpayers. We have one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the U.S., and I am proud to help find ways to preserve it for the next 100 years.
State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 6th District and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.