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Who Picks Up Tab For Officials' Inauguration Trips?

Hint: It Could Be You

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BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: January 9, 2009

WASHINGTON - Gov. Charlie Crist will be among Florida public officials headed to the nation's Capital to attend Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20.

Who will pay for the travel, lodging and other costs rung up by Republican Crist and state staffers accompanying him?

"That has not been determined," said Crist spokeswoman Erin Isaac, asked if state taxpayers might be footing the bill, or a portion of it.

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, also is going to the inauguration.

Will her trip to Washington be on the state taxpayers' dime?

"No state money will be utilized," said her spokesman, Kevin Cate.

"The CFO is very aware that we are in tough economic times in this state and that taxpayers are looking for prudent leadership when it comes to use of taxpayer dollars," Cate added.

He said Sink is paying for the trip out of her personal funds, though the state Democratic Party might also pick up some costs.

Few would challenge the historical significance of the nation's first African-American president being sworn into office, or that it is a reason to celebrate.

But some do question whether state taxpayers should pay the entire tab for governors and other state or local officials whose agendas in Washington might go beyond simply attending the presidential swearing-in ceremony.

Why should taxpayers pay the bill, they ask, when these agendas might include non-government functions like dance balls, a parade, lunches or dinners, or even politically related private meetings?

Especially, they add, when some of these events are sponsored by corporations and other special interests – where these public officials would be rubbing elbows with lobbyists and other big-dollar political campaign contributors.

"All of these festivities other than the swearing-in ceremony – even the official parade, the balls, as well as the lobbyist-sponsored parties – are not government functions," points out Craig Holman of Public Citizen, a government-watchdog group.

"This is all private stuff," said Holman. "Taxpayers are not even paying for Obama to attend these inauguration festivities."

Rather, even the 10 official inaugural balls put together by Obama's inauguration-organizing committee, the official parade, and other related events are being staged with $27 million raised by Obama from private donors.

Pete Sepp, vice president of the Alexandria, Va.,-based National Taxpayers Union, said he wouldn't question the propriety of a governor traveling to Washington to attend the noon-time swearing-in of a new president.

"Official government functions are one thing," said Sepp.

But Sepp said it's another to have taxpayers foot the entire costs if the official decides to arrive a day early or stay late to attend parties, dance balls or even "coffee klatches" that may be sponsored by corporations and other special interests and include lobbyists or political contributors among attendees.

"That's the questionable part," he said, suggesting these added costs would be better borne by a state or local Republican of Democratic committees, or the official's own campaign committee, if he or she has one.

"It's not that the governor of Florida should not come to the inauguration," agreed Steve Ellis, vice president of the Washington D.C.-based Taxpayers Common Sense.

"The real question is whether the balance of the trip is more about their official duties in promoting their state and helping its taxpayers -- or about promoting their own political careers?" said Ellis.

A similar controversy has simmered for year regarding Air Force One trips by incumbent presidents and their staffs that combine political or fundraising events with a patina of government officialdom, said Sepp.

Those costs are apportioned according to how much of the trip is deemed by the White House as political and how much is deemed political -- the effect typically being a deep taxpayer subsidy for presidential political trips.

As of now, said Isaac, the only thing certain about Crist's schedule is that "we plan on him attending the inauguration."

However, Crist has been featured in at least one announcement about an unofficial black-tie dance ball to be thrown by Floridians in Washington on the evening of Jan. 19 -- the night before the inauguration -- at the prestigious Corcoran Gallery of Art.

This sold-out "Sunshine and Stars 2009 Florida Inauguration Ball" is being sponsored with corporate donations like $50,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield or $25,000 from Florida Power and Light.

Tickets to the event ranged from $250 to $500 and 600 attendees are expected.

"Look forward to seeing you there," Crist's message concluded.

A separate, unofficial "Friends of Florida" gathering is set after the inauguration – also sponsored by corporate donations -- at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall.

The $200-a-ticket event is expected to draw 500 attendees.

In addition, that same night, there is the invitation-only official inauguration ball to be shared by politically well-connected Floridians and those from 10 other states that same night at the DC Armory.

Other Florida-centric activities over the two days, such as breakfasts or lunches, may also be scheduled.

Isaac said there is not yet any certainty that Crist will necessarily be attending any of these events.

"As for details of what he'll be attending, or what he'll be doing, they have not been determined," Isaac said.

Florida's members of the U.S. House and Senate, who have regular places to stay in the Washington area, are to be in town inauguration week to do their official congressional work, anyhow.

Federal taxpayers are not footing extra costs for them to be in the nation's capital because both congressional chambers are in session.

While Crist may still be determining whether to charge state taxpayers for his and his staff's travel and stay in Washington – or which portions of the trip should be regarded as public business – a surprising number of other public officials in don't have to come up with those answers.

That's because these officials have decided not to go.

Those no-shows will include Tampa's Democratic Mayor Pam Iorio, St. Petersburg Republican Mayor Rick Baker, Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum, and Republican Secretary of State Kurt Browning.

Iorio, who endorsed Obama in May -- relatively late in the campaign -- is not attending because "she took some time off in the holidays to spend some time with her family," explained Liana Lopez, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office.

"She just got back to work. She's got appointments."

Browning has cut back drastically on travel "because of the budget," explained Jennifer Krell Davis, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's office.

"All of the agencies have," she said.

"Once you get down to local-level officials – especially in hard times like these – a little prudence might be in order," added Sepp, of the NTU.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at 1 (202) 662-7673.

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