The Money Fairy Taketh Away Too

Here is all that is left after $175 million was spent on "planning" the Columbia Crossing replacement I-5 bridge in Portland. Actually, the picture is better because there is at least something there. Yes indeed, the Money Fairy departed for new digs after the Washington Legislature refused to fund their half of the project, but not before dropping copious amounts of money on various consultants and bureaucrats including Gov. Kitzhaber's favorite insider, Patricia McCaig, to the tune of $481,000+.  I use the term "planning" lightly because among other things, this group planned a 95' high bridge which the Coast Guard sent back to the drawing board saying that 116' was the minimum necessary for navigation of larger vessels on the Columbia River. Well, easy come, easy go. What can we throw taxpayer money away on next? Wait - how about free college tuition? Yeah - that's the ticket!

www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/07/columbia_river_crossing_spends.html#incart_more_business