Free house too pricey for Alaska Legislature, which turns down offer of Juneau building

JUNEAU — Even a free Juneau building wasn't cheap enough for the cash-strapped state of Alaska, whose legislative leaders Tuesday turned down an offer of a residence that a Juneau foundation offered up to be part of the Capitol complex.

The joint House-Senate Legislative Council voted 7-4 to reject the free, historic house at 524 Main St. in Juneau recently acquired by the Juneau Community Foundation. The foundation used its Juneau Capitol Fund to buy the property in an effort to enhance the city's role as the state capital.

Big Lake Republican Rep. Mark Neuman said the foundation made a "generous offer," but added: "I see this as more of an expansion of more government."

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"And I don't think that's what we need right now," he said.