Just Give Them Crayons And Paper
Will they swoon over the $100,000 artistic planter, or the $60,000 mural at the new civil commitment center on McNeil Island?
Now, if you're like me, you're probably wondering why DSHS is spending $160,000 for art in a facility that holds some of the worst sex offenders in the country.
I called and asked.
Because it's the law.
Yep, the law says one-half of one percent of any new state construction project has to go for art.
That means the rapists and molesters get to have their own little slice of the artistic world.
Isn't that special?
I think it also means that, in Olympia, $160,000 doesn't get all that much attention because it's not considered "real" money.
Not when you deal with a budget that runs in the billions.
But out here (where the rest of us live) $160,000 is enough to pay for extra teachers, or a shelter for abused women, or neighborhood programs for at risk kids.
Out here, $160,000 still pays for real things that are really needed.
I'm thinking that someone in Olympia should look at amending this law. That way, when money's tight (and it's REALLY tight right now), that instead of art for sex predators, maybe there'd be a little more money for things that are a lot more worthwhile.
Maybe even a remedial class in priorities for our elected officials.
Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com