Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ four-city, three-day inaugural in January cost a record $539,967 — compared with $476,000 for her 2003 celebration and $350,000 and $336,000 for former Gov. Bill Graves’ fetes in 1995 and 1999, respectively, according to Harris News Service. Donations by unions, corporations and interest groups covered 72 percent of the cost of Sebelius’ latest party. Whatever one thinks about whether governors should be holding lavish parties upon their oath-taking, it’s good that Kansans can know what these events cost, thanks to 1994 action by the Legislature in response to Gov. Joan Finney’s 1991 bash.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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25 Comments
Whoa – I went to the Graves inaugural (the first one,) and I never would have guessed it cost that much.
Holy Banana Peels….
Someone’s getting ripped off in my opinion.
Lot of money on saying “Hey, I got elected Governor!”
I think a small party with friends and making a bulletin board of newspaper clippings would have done just fine.
Thats a Democrat for ya!
I agree, Republican. For some reason, they think they have to throw a big shindig for everyone who helped run their campaign.
But I found it funny that by the time of the inaugural, many of the workers were close to being sworn enemies. Each had different ideas throughout and they didn’t really enjoy each other’s company that much. At least in the only one I went to. Maybe the others are different, but there was so much backstabbing there – you would have thought the now-returning boycotting posters were all there. And I really didn’t see anything that looked like it cost that much money.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MO_KCPL_PLANT_KSOL-?SITE=KSSAL&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-03-20-11-51-47
Very encouraging news aircraft on the alternative energy sources.
I’m unsure what that has to do with Sebelius inaugural celebration, but good to hear anyway.
Sicken ideology to begin with; the audacity to flatter and pamper one’s self sets forth the true meaning of one’s leadership.These people are supposed to be of servitude to the office, not worship like gods.
“In addition, private donors and special interests continued to bankroll much of the event in 2007.
Ticket sales raised $152,892 or 27 percent of the funds for the event while donations added $401,600 or 72 percent.”
If I’m not mistaken, this bash didn’t cost the taxpayers a penny, so who cares?
I think Fleettwood that the problem is that extravagance on a party is rather hypocritical when the same people who supplied the funds won’t eek out a penny to a worthy charity.
It is foolish spending and a wasteful display of what is wrong with politics.
Repub-I must disagree. That money went to caterers, decorators, etc.. All the things one needs to throw a party. That money went to workers and businesses (and they all paid taxes on it). If stupid people want to buy a ticket, so be it. My tax dollars weren’t spent and that’s how I like it.
And I suspect the people who supplied fund, do give to charity.
I suppose it could be preferable to Jesse Ventura’s inaugural a few years back..he hosted a potluck dinner in Minnesota.
With 72% paid by private donations, that means the state still spent $151,190 on a party that very, very few people were invited. Are these really necessary? Not in my estimation.. but then, I am not a self serving politician, either.
Ticket sales made up the diff, dope.
???????????????????????????????
“Ticket sales raised $152,892 or 27 percent of the funds for the event while donations added $401,600 or 72 percent.”"
The ?? marks were not mine…someone is being childish again.
Uh oh, there’s a troll on the lose. I think we should go on strike in protest. Yeah…that’ll really show ‘em.
Strike! Let’s all retreat!Fisting With Fury = Fun!
Well one could be logical about this and understand that costs are up for everything.. Even governors parties!
Must have those pretty lace doilies and such eh :)
I’m actually going to have to side with fleettwood on this one… It didnt cost us anything, so who cares???
Wow, how wrong is that…
Welcome, tony.BWHAAA HAAA HAAA!
In my opinion, we don’t need a king/queen of Kansas in the form of the Governor of Kansas. There is no point in giving the Kansas Governor an opulent position complete with a crown, crimson robes and expensive coronation.
I remember a number of years ago when George Docking Sr. was governor. The “Governor’s mansion” was a rather plain two-story wooden house about three or four blocks northwest of the State Capitol building. I recall seeing Mrs. Docking, I believe her first name was Virginia, working out in the yard on her flowers. I suspect that Governor Docking actually walked to the Capitol from there.
I believe in about 1960 an insurance company gave the State of Kansas the current Governor’s mansion, Crestwood??, located about five miles northwest of the capital in Topeka. I suspect Governor John Anderson was the first governor to live there in about 1961.
About eight years ago, John Anderson and I sat on logs and talked about Kansas history on his farm along old highway #10 a few miles east of Desoto, Kansas. I suspect John is now in his ninety’s but was still very knowledgable.
Personally, I think the best governors come from the position of Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives or President of the Kansas Senate or similar leadership positions elected by their peers. Examples are Governors Bennett, Hayden and Carlin.
Elected state department heads such as state treasurer, secretary of state, insurance commissioner and state printer ARE NOT good sources of our governors. Examples are our current Governor Sebelius and former Governor Graves. These governors don’t seem to connect with our legislators to help lead our government.
I would suspect that Republican Inaugurals were extravagent in their day — so I doubt that it’s a lefty versus righty dispute. Both parties find ways to squander our money and we really don’t hold them accountable to anyone but themselves.
Inaugurals should be small dignified affairs, absent any corporate donations. Anything beyond a small ceremony should be paid for out of party funds and cost taxpayers nothing.
Also, when the next governor is elected, any and all signs that say “Welcome to Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius< Governor” should be permanently changed to “The People of Kansas Welcome You” (or similar wording. I would think it would save a few sheckles over the years. The same thing should apply to any city signs that have the mayors name on it.
“”Welcome to Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius< Governor” should be permanently changed to “The People of Kansas Welcome You”"
Now that’s a good idea!
fleettwood – this is scary. I agree with you.
Wait 10 minutes. That awful feeling will pass.