The Feds roughly $17 million to provide security for the inauguration. This will all be public funds.

About $5 million of this cash is going to come out of a special federal fund that D.C. receives because it is the nation's capitol and there are associated expenses/problems.

The district, however, doesn't have any additional cash in that budget, so the remaining $12 million is going to be taken out of dollars earmarked for the city for homeland security. (in other words, less $$ for first responders, etc.)

For contrast...D.C. asked for extra funds this year to cover the inaugural's security, and was denied. The government did not seem to have similar concerns earlier in the year, however, when they appropriated roughly $50 million a piece to cover security during each political convention.

There is also an "Off-day" given to many D.C. area federal workers on that day. Last year, it was estimated that giving federal workers the day off costs around $66 million.

"There is also an "Off-day" given to many D.C. area federal workers on that day. Last year, it was estimated that giving federal workers the day off costs around $66 million."

You can't seriously either a) count this or b) blame this on Bush. A), because it doesn't matter whether the inaugural is gaudy or somber--they're getting the day off; B), because everyone's done it.

Paul, I'll agree with you on all of the above. However, you'll note that Mr. Seymour asked for specific numbers of public dollars spent on the inauguration. I think that the day-off spending fits that criterion. You can judge for yourself whether or not anyone should worry about it (no).

Side question - did I blame that part on Bush?

Hmm, I just noticed that a "will force Washington D.C. to spend" got deleted from the initial line of my first comment.

"Side question - did I blame that part on Bush?"

Sorry. but, well, is it really unreasonable to conclude that it was a swipe at Bush?

Back to the District: I'd feel more sympathy for them if they weren't blowing their budget on a ballpark.

Well, at least that portion I didn't intend as a swipe at Mr. Bush. (I guess when I post something it's kinda just assumed)

Thanks for the info, Mr. Balta. In line with what I said in the post, I see nothing scandalous about spending $17M on security for the inauguration (provided that money is being spent wisely for the designated purpose).

Whether the feds should pay that directly, or whether D.C. should be forced to use their federal funding for it is a legitimate question, but not a particularly interesting one, IMHO.

There is also an "Off-day" given to many D.C. area federal workers on that day. Last year, it was estimated that giving federal workers the day off costs around $66 million.

>>Good Lord, I'll gladly pay $66 million a day to give the feds a day off. It probably saves the private sector 4 times that in all the regulations that aren't promulgated that day.

Where can we send you the $66,000,000.00 invoice?