State sees Capitol event-related fees trickling in

The state reopened the Capitol last year with hopes of making it more enticing for the public to spend time there.

In the nine months since a state government-funding law charged the Department of Administration with the ability to collect fees and charges for events at the renovated Capitol, dozens of events have used the 1905 Cass Gilbert-constructed facility.

The agency reports it charged for eight different events between August and December, and anticipates collecting $7,923 in fees from them, including $1,200 in already-collected deposits.

Those eight events cost the state an estimated $12,500, according to the department.

The House State Government Committee reviewed the report on Tuesday, taking no action.

While no written policy exists within the administration about what events require fees, commissioner Matt Massman said the department charges for events that exist outside legislative business times and if Minnesota Made alcohol is served – another provision allowed in last year’s law.

“We anticipate that we will be learning as we go along,” Massman said.

Rallies and other First Amendment-protected get-togethers aren’t usually assessed a fee. Events like weddings, special dinners and social events usually see a cost.

“[The building] belongs to the people of Minnesota,” Massman told the committee. “[It] should be more broadly available.”