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LANSING – State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Township) today announced that he has co-sponsored a bipartisan bill that would stop the new construction of the approximately $45 million "Triangle Property," a project in Lansing that will house the Michigan State Police (MSP) headquarters. The Triangle Property will be leased to the state at $3.7 million per year for 25 years, or at a total cost of $92.5 million. The MSP post currently located on Harrison Road near Michigan State University is rented for $1 per year; the lease runs through the year 2030.

"I have heard from many residents and state troopers alike in my district who are very unhappy with this project," Simpson said. "It seems to me that it's a huge boondoggle at a time when Michigan can least afford it."

Simpson's bill would prohibit state agencies from using state funds to build or finance a state department or state police headquarters until the state's economic stabilization fund has a minimum balance of $1 billion for two consecutive fiscal years. Simpson said the current MSP headquarters needs $16 million in renovations, but said it makes much more fiscal sense to pay for the renovations than paying $3.7 million per year for a new building. Simpson added that even if the MSP were to move to the Triangle Property, there still wouldn't be enough room at the site to house the Emergency Operations Center, MSP warehouse and helicopter landing pad, which would require the construction of additional buildings.

"If we want to do something to help state police troopers, I would rather increase funding and get more troopers out in the field," Simpson said. "I have never supported the proposed Michigan State Police Building relocation to downtown Lansing, and I have been in constant contact with the House Fiscal Agency, House Leadership, representatives from the Governor's office and the members of the Capitol Outlay Committee to communicate my opposition to such a plan that, in my opinion, is fiscally irresponsible given our current economic conditions here in Michigan."

Simpson noted that he is not a member of the Joint Capitol Outlay Committee, or the State Administrative Board, and therefore had no opportunity to vote on the proposed MSP building relocation.