HyperbolePhil, 

I would challenge you to find that quote. I am pretty positive that I have never said the state bonding money is free. It is paid for by the entire state as an investment into court facilities that benefit the entire state. There is also a requirement for local funding match of a minimum of 50% of the cost. It will not be free for this county to have an adequate court facility, but we do have an opportunity to have part of the cost spread across the entire state just as other county courthouse projects are doing like Multnomah. 

What we do have is an unprecedented opportunity to master plan our civic center and make good decisions that make the best use of existing space to minimize the need for new space if it can be done in a collaborative and open manner. I look forward to working with the City on finding the best and most efficient solutions to the needs of our citizens.