"Inauguration has already cost Maryland $11 million
By Paul West | paul.west@baltsun.com
12:56 PM EST, January 13, 2009
WASHINGTON - Next week's presidential inauguration of Barack Obama has already cost Maryland at least $11 million, state officials said today.

The unbudgeted spending, mainly for transportation and security, is part of some $75 million that Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia have already had to absorb, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty told reporters.

The $11 million figure also includes costs associated with Obama's Saturday train trip and scheduled stop in Baltimore.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, said he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada about getting Congress to reimburse the cash-short state government. Members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings of Baltimore, are also involved in seeking federal reimbursement, he said."


And the $75,000,000 is only the cost to the states- NOT the cost of the inaugural ( I think that was about $40,000,000- I'll look for the exact amount)

Makes Bush's $50,000,000 seem just a pittance, doesn't it?

The real question is who is paying? If donations, ( the "cost" of the inaugurals) fine- but that $75,000,000 is FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS