Texas House renovates members lounge for $140,000+
From Sunshine Review
18 November 2008
Despite Gov. Rick Perry's request for state agencies to "dial back their spending," the Texas House of Representatives' member-only lounge has had at least $140,000 in renovations. Documents released to The Associated Press under freedom of information laws show the extent of the spending thus far, but do not say who is in charge of the project.[1]
[edit] Who is in charge?
There have been conflicting reports as to who is in charge of the renovation project. Most recently, House Accountant Steve Adrian said that it is a "joint project" between the House and the Texas State Preservation Board, and that "no particular person" initiated the idea.[1] However, the Preservation Board, who must "approve all changes to the buildings and their grounds," has not met since February 1, 2007.
Last month, a spokesperson for House Speaker Tom Craddick said that the project was coordinated by the House Administration Committee, chaired by Rep. Tony Goolsby, but his name does not appear anywhere in the records released to AP.
[edit] Extent of spending
The records released detail how much the project has cost taxpayers so far, and what it has been spent on, including two antique brass chandeliers for $14,500 each. Back in October, Governor Perry sent out an order to agency heads, telling them that "as stewards of public dollars, we must remain fiscally responsible and continue to put taxpayers first by finding ways to curtail state spending."
In the weeks following that order, the legislature purchased the following items:
- Custom wood cabinets with granite countertops and backsplash, $61,200
- A Scotsman Touchfree air-cooled flake ice maker, $3,425.
- Sub-zero freezer drawers, $3,517
- Hatco built-in warming drawers, $2,749
- Two Sharp 42-inch LCD TVs, $2,198
- Two undercounter refrigerators, $2,019
- Stainless Bunn-O-Matic coffee brewer, $600.
