Editor:

The county's going to the State Loan and Investment Board to fund a courthouse expansion because the voters have twice turned down the request for capital facilities taxes, and SLIB is being hit up for $11.3 million for the courthouse. Keep in mind that city, county and state entities are tax-exempt.

I have no problem with the upgrading of these facilities, but I do have a problem with the pork-barreling that goes on in these situations. We have built a jail facility that does include a courtroom but routinely hauls prisoners, at the taxpayer's expense, to and from the same jail that we built the courtroom for. This requires a vehicle, gas and the wages of several deputies daily.

Why did we pay taxes for this specific part of a facility and not put it to use? There was an office building that was and is in use now across from the courthouse. It was sold a while back for a lot less than $11.3 million.

As one of the many taxpayers who chose not to finance this, I would like to see the actual plans and the materials being used. We don't need Italian marble in the bathrooms when tile will work as well, or imported mahogany from the French Alps, packed in by Himalayan monks by burro. Let's get the whole proposal out on the table and show the taxpayers exactly what they are buying, room to room, item to item.

Is part of this money new furnishings when what is in place was just purchased? It should be our mission to help the justice system but not to make these buildings show palaces. Come on, $11.3 million is pretty steep.

If I went to the bank with this proposal, I know they would want all the details. The state is the bank in this instance. Our government, in general, has no problem spending tax dollars with reckless abandon because they do not have to earn these dollars. They simply pass it on in higher taxes to the working stiffs.

I just don't believe that our elected officials should live in the lap of luxury at our expense. I do believe that the facilities we build need to be durable, functional and energy-efficient. I support the concept of this courthouse, but I question the price tag. As a citizen, I just want some fiscal responsibility and accountability. I heard justice is blind, so why do we need to furnish her with such lavish surroundings, since she cannot see them?

ELMER JOHNSON, Casper