District congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton requested $15 million in additional federal funding Friday to combat what’s expected to be a nearly $30 million D.C. price tag for President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural festivities.
A well-placed source within the D.C. government said the city is budgeting for a $25.9 million price tag, but expecting that number to go up as the January celebrations approach.
The extra cash would bring the total federal contribution to $30 million, said Norton spokeswoman Sonsyrea Montgomery. The city receives $15 million per year to help pay for federal events such as the Fourth of July celebration and state funerals.
Norton’s request, however, may be futile until the New Year.
“The problem is we can’t tack it on to the auto bailout or something,” said a House Appropriations Committee staffer, explaining that additional funds would be more likely to come as a reimbursement sometime in 2009.
In addition, Norton is not a member of the subcommittee that directs funds to the District, so she has limited influence.
“It becomes an issue between the city and [the committee],” the staffer said.
Since Obama’s election, Norton has been outspoken about ensuring the city does not foot the inaugural bill, while at the same time demanding services appropriate to the historic occasion.
“People will be coming with or without a ticket,” she said in a November interview, adding that additional venues such as Verizon Center and RFK Stadium should be opened to host the masses.
“It’s the federal government’s responsibility,” Norton said.
In 2005, President Bush’s second inauguration cost a record-breaking $17 million with an estimated attendance of 300,000 people.
Crowd estimates for this year’s festivities will likely top 1 million people, according to federal officials, and could soar to an unimaginable 5 million, according to Mayor Adrian Fenty. And while inaugural excitement abounds around the city, it comes at crippling financial times. The city has already been forced to close a $130 million budget gap, and $50 million more is likely to be swallowed up in coming months’ shortfalls.
Examiner Staff Writer Michael Neibauer contributed to this story.
