The $552,000 purchase of 32 Steinway pianos by Bowie State University for its new $79 million performing arts center opening next year is “out of touch” with the current economy, Comptroller Peter Franchot said at the Board of Public Works Wednesday. “Given the challenges that these universities face, I think it’s a luxury at this point that the taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for,” said Franchot, who voted against the purchase.
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3 comments:
Franchot is posturing...he wants to be the next Gov.
A grand piano costs over $100,000 no matter who the manufacturer is. Baby grands run from $17,000 to $50,000 depending on the size. If the school was purchasing more than one grand piano (and it would make sense that they would), it wouldn't take long to eat up $550,000 for 32 total.
I'm surely NOT a fan of Franchot (or the rest of his Dem. cronies) and I'm not an alumni of Bowie. I graduated from Towson with a degree in music.
I don't like the state spending our hard earned money any more than the next guy, but if they are to stock a performing art center (which from the sound of it, it's already under construction), then they need to stock it with instruments.
What about the 79 Million center itself -- WASTE!
It doesn't matter how you cut it that is still $17,250.00 per piano.
I think that is going overboard. I could see getting maybe two grand pianos for the stage for concerts and such but you shouldn't need such an expensive piano to practice on. This is a total waste of tax payers money. Doesn't surprise me O'Malley was for it. Typical democrat spending more of our money.
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