The Tennessee ConserVOLiance

Bredesen’s Monument to Government Waste Unveiled Today

Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte will officially dedicate “Conservation Hall” this afternoon, marking an end to a facelift to the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion that turned into a disastrous boondoggle for taxpayers.

Repairs to the Governor’s Mansion began in 2005 with the worthy goal of making the residence more accessible for Tennesseans with disabilities. Unfortunately for taxpayers, Bredesen and Conte expanded the project to include a complete renovation of the home, featuring a $321,393 kitchen overhaul, $14,436 dimmer switches, nearly $11,000 for an upstairs wet bar and the addition of an entertainment venue – which became Conservation Hall. In total, the renovations cost an estimated $25 million, with tax dollars funding the bulk of the expense.

This is the ‘residence’ that could have been sold for a tidy profit and an actual historic home bought, perhaps saving a few bucks for the taxpayers of Tennessee. Over $300K on the kitchen alone? That’s more than our house with a few acres of land cost us.  Of course, it’s no mansion.

Read the rest at An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings.