Gov. Martin O’Malley said he is hopeful the federal government will reimburse the state for the $11 million to $13 million it is expected to spend managing security and traffic for the inauguration and President-elect Barack Obama’s expected visit Saturday to Baltimore.
About 150,000 people are expected to turn out for Obama’s planned appearance in Baltimore, a part of his whistle-stop train tour to D.C., where another 2 million people are expected to gather.
Maryland is contributing about 600 public safety personnel from about 17 different agencies to manage the events, O’Malley said.
“I think it’s safe to say most people were somewhat taken aback that there had not been a provision made in the federal budget for the inauguration as there was for the Republican and Democratic national conventions,” O’Malley said. “I think that they understand that needs to be addressed.”
O’Malley, along with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine, estimated total inauguration expenses to be $75 million, including money for extra law enforcement, according to a letter they sent to congressional delegations earlier this month.
O’Malley said he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and “traded a couple of calls” with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., about federal reimbursement.
— Carolyn Peirce and CNS
