US Tells DC to Pay Inaugural Expenses

[Southpaw Bookworm]

So, they can raise $40 million for parties, but they can't find enough to reimburse an already cash-strapped jurisdiction for the millions it will incur, for the first time in history. The funds will have to be diverted from homeland security funds. Once again, the Reich shows its contempt for DC and reiterates its status as the nation's last colony.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63896-2005Jan10.html

D.C. officials said yesterday that the Bush administration is refusing to reimburse the District for most of the costs associated with next week's inauguration, breaking with precedent and forcing the city to divert $11.9 million from homeland security projects.

Federal officials have told the District that it should cover the expenses by using some of the $240 million in federal homeland security grants it has received in the past three years -- money awarded to the city because it is among the places at highest risk of a terrorist attack.

But that grant money is earmarked for other security needs, Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) said in a Dec. 27 letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua B. Bolten and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Williams's office released the letter yesterday.

Williams estimated that the city's costs for the inauguration will total $17.3 million, most of it related to security. City officials said they can use an unspent $5.4 million from an annual federal fund that reimburses the District for costs incurred because of its status as the capital. But that leaves $11.9 million not covered, they said.

[liberal N proud]

1. The people of DC should CRASH the parties/bawls

IF they must pay for them, they should be automatic invites to the parties.
Don't you think?

[Southpaw Bookworm]

2. I would, but

That would mean I'd have to share the same space as these facists, and I don't think my stomach could stand it.

[liberal N proud]

3. Ah Yes, but it would bother them much more, to have the common

predominantly black folk from the inner city mulling around with the Reich'ous.

[WI_DEM]

4. DC which voted 90% for Kerry is supposed to pay for Bush's

Inagural? If I were the Mayor and City Council I'd tell the WH to go to hell.

[primavera]

11. Not much choice

Since the District exists under exclusive federal jurisdiction, we're not allowed to have any discretion in our own affairs, not even in how our local taxes are spent. A congressional committee decides for us what we'll do and we're denied any representation on that committee. We just have to sit by and obey whatever edicts are imposed upon us. See, it's really a whole lot like feudal times here...

[Contrary1]

5. Maybe DC should only provide the amount of protection

for the nitwit and his partying cronies that their budget will allow. Then, I bet
the pukes would somehow cough up the difference to protect their boy king.

[complain jane]

6. great idea!

[Ian David]

7. I second the motion!

The city should only provide the level of protection that the GOP is willing to pay for.

They should learn to be self-reliant, and not look for government hand-outs. The money belongs in the hands of the taxpayers.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. That Was The First Thing I Thought Of, Too

I was watching the Journal this morning and Connie covered that story. My first thought was, then D.C. should incur no extraordinary expenses. Just whatever cops that would be on the beat anyway. No overtime. No special undercover ops. No special surveillance. Just like any other day.
The Professor

[elehhhhna]

9. If everybody's SOOOOOOOOO in love w/GW, why all the security anyway?

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Must Be The "Terists"

Yeah, that's it! They hate us for our freedoms and they hate us for our big, strong, dimestore cowboy prez.
The Professor