SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Richard “Dick” Cowan, representative of Public Accountability for Our Capitol and former Chair of the Historic State Capitol Commission, released the following statement in response to new court filings by Save Our Capitol! and Save the Capitol, Save the Trees:

“We applaud Save Our Capitol! and Save the Capitol, Save the Trees for their dedication to enforcing existing environmental laws and challenging a Legislature whose actions do not follow the law. Last week, Save the Capitol, Save the Trees filed a notice to the Courts objecting to the latest claim that the Legislature’s Final Environmental Impact Report had fully complied with the Court of Appeals Ruling and requested a hearing; and, Save Our Capitol! filed a new petition and complaint regarding the latest, final EIR. 

“We appreciate both entities for continuing to hold the Department of General Services and Legislature accountable. And, because of the incomplete Final Revised EIR certified by the State, Public Accountability for Our Capitol firmly believes that the Courts will not allow construction to start on the new Annex building or Parking Garage until the Courts’ previous orders have been fully met, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act.

“The Capitol Annex Project is suffering from cost growth, delay, and unclear scope. Fortunately, there is still time to pause the entire Project, conduct a full assessment of the excellent options suggested by the public, and develop a realistic plan for the state’s most important governmental building.

“We need state leadership to step up and be held accountable for what is already a never-ending nightmare. This past week I sent a letter to the Joint Rules Committee Chair, Assemblymember James Ramos, urging him to take control of the project and use his leadership to ensure that the West Steps are saved, the new Annex doesn’t overpower the 1860s building, and that the budget be better managed.

“We will continue to do whatever it takes to protect our Capitol.”