SAINT PAUL — Today, Secretary of State Steve Simon announced the dedication of the 2017-2018 Minnesota Legislative Manual, also known as the "Blue Book," in honor of the men and women who worked on the historic restoration of the Minnesota Capitol Building from 2013 to 2017.
The new Blue Book, as well as the 2017-2018 Pocket Edition, is now available online and at office locations for pick-up beginning in early June. For more information, including mail order instructions, click here. A hard cover copy was placed on the desk of each member of the Minnesota House and Senate this morning.
"I’m proud to dedicate this edition of the Blue Book to the men and women who worked on the historic restoration of the Minnesota Capitol Building," said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “They did a truly outstanding job returning our Capitol to its rightful place as one of Minnesota’s most treasured places. Their accomplishment and attention to detail will outlive them.”
The 2017-2018 Blue Book is a 600-page comprehensive guide to Minnesota’s government, including information on the state legislature, state executive offices, state agencies, and state judiciary; local, federal, and tribal governments; as well as 2016 election results. It is published biennially in odd-numbered years under the direction of the Secretary of State.
This edition of the Blue Book features a special section of photographs showing various stages of the restoration as well as photographs from the original construction of the building taken in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which provide the viewer with a unique “before and after” perspective of the Capitol. Award-winning Minnesota photographer Tom Olmscheid provided the Office of the Secretary of State with access to his wonderful visual record. To view this section of the book, as well as Secretary Simon’s Dedication of Blue Book, click here.
"The best way to pay tribute to the renovated Capitol is to visit it," Secretary Simon wrote in his dedication. "I encourage all Minnesotans to see the restored building for themselves. The Capitol is the Peoples’ House. It doesn’t exist just for elected officials. It’s there for you. It’s a symbol of our democracy, but it’s also for public use; for tours, for a piece of history, for celebrations, and for advocacy."
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