Judges Tosses Lawsuit Over New State Senate Office Building

ST. PAUL (AP) - A legal challenge to a new $63 million Minnesota Senate Office building has been dismissed.

Ramsey County Judge Lezlie Ott Marek ruled Thursday against a former Republican legislator who wants to block construction of the new building. The judge said former St. Cloud state Rep. Jim Knoblach's claim that authorization of the building was flawed didn't hold up.

The Judge found the building was legitimately included in a larger tax bill that lawmakers passed last year.

The project, which includes a separate $27 million parking ramp, still needs one more legislative sign-off. Members of the House rules committee must OK the building design. Democratic House Speaker Paul Thissen says that other less-expensive options should be considered.