I had heard this in an NPR story, and looked it up later to make sure I wasn't halucinating. The podium(s) cost $2.5 million. Oh, but tax payers need not be upset; it was paid for by donations from private corporations (who are trying to sway Republicans to vote whatever way they need them to).

The link you put in the comments, ChrisWho, is hysterical although I don't know if it's in a good way or a bad way.