Crossposted on 43rdStateBlues
D20 Senate candidate raises concern about enormous government waste
Why is the "party of smaller government" spending money like this?
"Chuck Winder is the chair of the committee that approved $177,000 a year for upkeep on the 'Governor's mansion' that the Idaho Governor doesn't live in," wrote James Mace, yesterday, on his campaign Facebook page. "Idaho, is this the best use of your tax dollars? You have the opportunity to TELL Winder what you think today, and to SHOW him what you think on November 6."
He cited this Oct. 2 article:
Idahoans will get to weigh in on what to do with Idaho's official governor's mansion, the former J.R. Simplot home on a grassy hilltop in north Boise, topped by a giant American flag. The Governor's Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, will meet in room WW55 of the state Capitol from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; you can see the agenda here. There'll be a presentation about the history and operation of a governor's residence in Idaho, followed by public testimony. There's more info here.
The state has justified that cost by saying the mansion is frequently used by government departments and the first family, accroding to Emilie Ritter Saunders of a project by NPR. But
data show the mansion has been used just 42 times in three years.
For more info see James Mace for D20 Senate on Facebook.
For more about his opponent, Chuck Winder, click here.