Monday, January 10, 2005
Inauguration
District of Columbia officials have one question for inaugural planners: Who is going to pay the city's estimated bill of $17.3 million?
D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams, in a letter to federal officials, outlined the anticipated costs for the events surrounding President Bush's second inaugural on Jan. 20. Police overtime from Jan. 18-21 was put at nearly $5.3 million, producing special license tags would cost $43,260 and construction of reviewing stands was estimated at nearly $3 million.
Williams cited these costs in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua B. Bolten.
Sharon Gang, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said the city has been told that a supplemental appropriation for inaugural funds would not be made.
A spokesman for the Homeland Security Department said, however, that $11 million in existing funds had been approved for overtime expenses.
Williams suggested dipping into the Emergency Planning and Security Cost Fund, which has been used for events such as former President Reagan's funeral, July 4 festivities and protests against the World Bank (news - web sites). Guidelines for that fund, however, limit its use to planning and security expenses.
"It's not our event. It's a 100 percent federal event," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., the city's congressional representative. Norton said the city should not have to dip into the emergency planning fund — much less homeland security dollars — for a presidential inaugural.
D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams, in a letter to federal officials, outlined the anticipated costs for the events surrounding President Bush's second inaugural on Jan. 20. Police overtime from Jan. 18-21 was put at nearly $5.3 million, producing special license tags would cost $43,260 and construction of reviewing stands was estimated at nearly $3 million.
Williams cited these costs in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua B. Bolten.
Sharon Gang, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said the city has been told that a supplemental appropriation for inaugural funds would not be made.
A spokesman for the Homeland Security Department said, however, that $11 million in existing funds had been approved for overtime expenses.
Williams suggested dipping into the Emergency Planning and Security Cost Fund, which has been used for events such as former President Reagan's funeral, July 4 festivities and protests against the World Bank (news - web sites). Guidelines for that fund, however, limit its use to planning and security expenses.
"It's not our event. It's a 100 percent federal event," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., the city's congressional representative. Norton said the city should not have to dip into the emergency planning fund — much less homeland security dollars — for a presidential inaugural.
# posted by CU @ 5:55 PM 
Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home
<< Home
