Crisis, What Crisis? (Part II)

Here at this site, we have been tracking whether or not our New Mexico state and local political leaders have come to grips with the ongoing fiscal crisis. The answer, repeatedly (here, here, and here) is “no.” Of course, that is because politicians live in an alternate reality where unlimited quantities of money comes from the work of others and debt is almost unlimited.
Anyway, the most recent example of this “what, me worry?” mentality is the City of Albuquerque’s replacement of perfectly good street signs. I have noticed this in particular on Coors Blvd. where the usual green signs are being replaced by blue signs with Mayor Marty’s beloved “Q” in black in the background. I have no idea how much this is costing Albuquerque taxpayers, but according to this bill from City Council, the city was proposing to spend $2.5 million on street sign replacement.
Obviously, we’re talking about real money here and in difficult economic times, when City Council is considering extending (without voter approval) a 1/4-cent transportation tax, it would seem that this is money that could be better spent elsewhere.