According to recent news stories, the renovation project to the Kansas state Capitol building could cost as much as $130 million more than the original estimate of $120 million.

This is almost criminal and represents another example of how it is so much easier to spend someone else’s money than it is to spend your own.

It’s inexcusable that those in charge of this project didn’t exercise more control over expenses. It looks as if the deal was almost open-ended with the builders and architects profiting from the excessive cost overruns.

Legislative leaders were right in their desire to preserve, restore and protect the handsome capitol, but someone, somewhere has gone overboard. What kind of bidding process was required? How about the fee arrangement for the architects? It is reported that fees are tied to the total cost of the project, meaning that as costs go up, so do the fees.

Some try to claim the runaway costs are due to higher prices for materials, but aren’t those associated with the builders, architects, engineers and a general contractor supposed to level with the customer about expected costs? Initial estimates didn’t include the $15 million parking garage that was added to the project later, but that represents a relatively small portion of the overrun.

What went wrong?

Now, more than ever, state officials need to reconstitute in some form the University Research and Development Enhancement Corp., which was assigned to oversee all aspects of a $120 million to $130 million building project at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas State University and Wichita State University. It is believed the body achieved savings between $15 million and $20 million on the project.

Those in the group refused to be dazzled by contractors, architects and builders. They required architects to commit to a specific fee structure, and they demanded work be done in an efficient and proper manner.

The state Capitol building is the latest example of massive cost increases over which the state seems to have little control. Next in line will be the more than $600 million estimated to fix buildings and facilities at Kansas Board of Regents universities.

Imagine the potential for waste and careless work on $600 million worth of projects without close supervision and control.

It’s time for URDEC or some similar organization to be called into action to oversee projects such as the embarrassing state Capitol fiasco.