McDonnell induction also induces costs to taxpayers

RICHMOND

Inaugural tuxedoes for numerous state officials: $4,000.

Corsages and boutonnieres for them: $200.

Souvenir engraved Bibles and ink pens for the swearing-in ceremony: $765.

People who pick up the tab: taxpayers.

Those expenses are part of the estimated $240,000 Virginia will spend to put on today's inaugural ceremony in the state Capitol, where Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli will be sworn in.

And they're not unique to this year.

Every four years, the cost of inauguration is borne by the state, and by extension, its residents.

"I've been involved in every one since Gov. (George) Allen directly, as clerk, and they've all been handled the same way," said House of Delegates Clerk Bruce Jamerson.

Commonplace though it may be, Michael Cassidy was surprised to learn that public money is used to pay for formal wear.

"Given the hard times, members of the General Assembly might find their way clear to renting their own tuxedos this time around," said Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, which supports financial policies favorable to low- and middle-income Virginians.

Over the years, inaugural expenses have risen alongside the prices of goods and services.

In 1998, the state spent about $160,000 on the inauguration when former Gov. Jim Gilmore was sworn in.

And the price tag four years ago was more costly than it is in 2010. About $325,000 was spent when Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was inaugurated in 2006 because the ceremony was held in Williamsburg while the State Capitol was being renovated, Jamerson said.

In addition to those being sworn in, money also is available to rent formal wear for legislators who are on the 2010 inaugural committee, which counts 25 House of Delegates members and 16 state senators.

Locals on that list are Dels. Bob Tata, R-Virginia Beach; Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake; Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth; and Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk. The Hampton Roads senators are Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth; Frederick Quayle, R-Suffolk; and Tommy Norment, R-James City.

Aside from tuxes, flowers and the like, inaugural funds are spent to build the infrastructure for the event, such as the podium for the dignitaries and the bleachers to hold thousands of guests.

A crowd of 6,000 to 8,000 people is expected to attend the inauguration today.

Other inauguration-related expenses, such as the costs of celebratory galas, are covered by private donations, not taxpayers.

McDonnell recently said he planned to raise $1.5 million to cover them, a sum that is less than what Kaine or former Gov. Mark Warner raised for their inaugural events. He's spent much of the week leading up to the inauguration participating in community service activities, saying he is mindful of the tough times facing Virginians.