President Obama wants to increase the federal government’s share of security costs in the District by 66 percent, but don’t expect to see the savings allocated to public schools or Metro. The extra money — about $10 million — is already earmarked for guarding what Obama hopes will be his second inauguration.
The federal government annually doles out millions to D.C. as reimbursement for security costs associated with being the nation’s capital. The District will receive $15 million this year, but Obama wants to increase that figure to $25 million for in 2013.
Although the boost will help offset inauguration security expenses, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton predicted that the money won’t completely cover the District’s security costs, which jumped about $43 million between 2001 and 2009.
| The District’s security costs for presidential inaugurations have soared since 2001. |
| 2001: $6 million |
| 2005: $17 million |
| 2009: $49 million |
“It sounds like they’ve underbudgeted the inauguration costs,” Norton told The Washington Examiner.
The District’s top safety officials would not comment for the story. Police Chief Cathy Lanier referred questions to the city’s chief financial officer, and Deputy Mayor Paul Quander and a spokesman for Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe did not respond to requests for comment.
Security has long been the most expensive line item for inaugurations. After Obama’s 2009 swearing-in, when more than 20,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard troops helped to guard the District, D.C. spent almost $49 million — including $15 million in overtime for police officers.
Ahead of that inauguration, the federal government chipped in $15 million to defray the expense and later paid out more to reimburse D.C.
At-Large Councilman Phil Mendelson, who chairs the D.C. Council committee that oversees public safety, said the inauguration usually triggers a battle between the federal government and its host city.
“It’s not unusual during an inaugural year that you’ll see a fight between the District and the federal government over how much we’ll get reimbursed,” Mendelson said. “In some years they’re more generous than other years.”
Norton said she expects to lobby for additional funding after the inauguration.
She also said she was surprised the White House didn’t seek more money in advance, even as inauguration security expenses have ballooned. She wondered whether administration officials might be trying to trim their own share of budgetary fat.
“What is interesting is that they have not budgeted up,” she said. “They’re trying to lead by example … One way you can do it is by looking at what you spend on yourself — or what you hope to spend on yourself.”
Examiner staff writer Liz Farmer contributed to this report.
