State Architect Dave Hart and Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City, pitched a Capitol Hill parking plan Tuesday based on the theory that state employees will either pay for now-free parking spaces, park at lots a mile away and ride a shuttle bus to work or ride mass transit to the Capitol.

None of the ideas held much appeal for the hundreds of workers who attended one of several meetings. For many employees, who have been beaten down by state lawmakers' reduction of their retirement benefits and the governor's consolidation of several state divisions, the parking proposal was funny - in a sort of gallows humor way.

"Do they really care what I think?" asked Forrest Nelson, an Information Technology Services employee. "No matter what I say or do, they're going to do what they're going to do."

Lobbyists, the public and hundreds of construction workers who park at the Capitol would continue to be able to park on a first-come, first-served basis in state lots and on surrounding streets.

Parking at the Capitol has gotten progressively more cramped as the Capitol restoration project has progressed, with the elimination of dozens of parking spaces and an influx of hundreds of construction workers. During the legislative session, the cars of lobbyists, interns, and the public have overflowed into surrounding neighborhoods.

State lots and city streets provide about 1,500 parking spaces right now. Capitol managers figure they need another 400 spaces to meet demand.

In a report prepared for Capitol Preservation Board members, Hart considered all alternatives, including building an $8 million parking structure between the Travel Council building and White Chapel, a $12 million garage on the northeast corner of the Capitol grounds and even spending $1.5 million to shuttle construction workers to and from a remote parking lot - a proposal that would add 45 days to the Capitol construction calendar and prevent the building reopening in time for the 2008 Legislature as planned.

A preservation subcommittee rejected all three ideas last week in favor of a plan that focuses on state employees. Some committee members said it's not realistic to expect legislators to pay for parking projects, despite huge budget surpluses, after funneling more than $200 million to the preservation project.

"We sometimes think we have to provide everything for everyone," said Sen. Beverly Evans, R-Altamont. "The Legislature's not going to fund parking this year. I'd like to concentrate on getting this building done."

Hart and Becker asked state workers to consider a $600 annual tax-free "transit allowance." Workers could use that money to buy a $50 monthly parking space or pay for a special $79 bus pass and pocket the rest. Employees would get a 10-day emergency Capitol parking pass. Still others could park in a lot on North Temple and 200 West owned by the LDS Church and ride UTA or state shuttle buses to work.

But state workers say the parking proposal is one more insult this year.

"I'm thinking I'm a fifth-class citizen," one woman said.