A legislative panel has given the green light for construction to begin this spring a new state government office building that will house the headquarters of the state police and National Guard.
Earlier concerns were raised about the safety of housing those two agencies in the same building given post 9-11 terrorism concerns.
Testifying before the capitol outlay panel, Col. Stephen Madden says those concerns have been addressed.
Senator Alma Wheeler Smith was one of two no votes on the project saying the state can not afford the $11 million a year to pay for the project.
Twelve members of the committee voted yes.
