Let's put the so-called "extravagant" inauguration of Florida's 45th governor in a little perspective.
So far, the governor-elect's inaugural committee has collected a little more than $2 million and money is still rolling in for onerollicking goodtime Jan. 3 and 4.But, to listen to some of the media elite, businesses donating money to celebrate a new governor isakin toScottputting himself, his office and all of his staff on the auction block.
For 2 million-or-sobucks?
They actually think the man who lashed out $50 million of his own money to get himself to this inaugurationcan be boughtby a measly $2 million from a group of businessmen who were mostly AWOL until September?
Would they rather seetaxpayers pay for theinauguration? Would that keep the money clean if it all came out of the big public potin Tallahassee?
Face it. This naysaying from the elections' sorest losers sounds like one big pity party.
The people bummed because the governor-elect's inaugurationplans aretoo lavish are the same sour-grapers who voted against him or recommended against himin the Republican primary and the midterm election.
In the primary they didn't like that hefinanced his own campaign. Just proves you can buy your way into office, theygroused. Seldom did they mention the money Scott's opponent was taking from dozens of kissy donors looking for a favor from "Governor Bill McCollum" -- especially toward the end, when polls showed Scott eating McCollum's lunch.
In the general election, while Scott pooh-poohersonly grazedover Democratic candidateAlex Sink's endless donations from lawyers, unions, and other groups looking to use a friendly governor,they were persistent in theirdaily flogging of Scott's perceived misdeeds. You only had to see Scott under a full mediaattack during an Aug. 5press conference at the Florida Press Center in Tallahassee versus Sink's lovefest in the same room nearly a month later.
The truth is, inaugurations, like any big event -- like a UF-FSU game, the Mardi Gras, a World's Fair-- are huge opportunities to cash in. Thousands of Floridians will turn up at the state capital for the festivities. They willspend money for hotel rooms. They will eat out and tip for their service. They will buy drinks, haircuts, souvenirs, clothes, photographic equipment. They will hire taxis and tuxes and caterers.
Even though Scott's people tried to get the word out, here's what you won't hear much about from the election crybabies:
Business leaders are predicting an estimated $4.5 million economic impact from the 2011 inaugural events in Florida.This is some of how they cast it:
*Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce: Theres no better way to jump-start Floridas economy than by holding Inaugural Day festivities that pump more than $4.5 million into Floridas economy and will do so without spending taxpayer dollars.
* Mark Bonn, Florida State University's Dedman School of Hospitality: Activities related to the gubernatorial inauguration could bring $2 millionto $3 million in direct spending to the Tallahassee community.
* John Marks, mayor of Tallahassee: "The inaugural events are a welcome boost to Tallahassees economy. In addition, well have an opportunity to show Governor-elect Scott that Tallahassees vibrant business community is doing its part to rejuvenate the states economy."
* Andrew Reiss, owner of Andrew's restaurant just steps from the Capitol, and caterer for the Salute to Women in Leadership Breakfast: "The inauguration comes at a particularly good time of year for us that is typically slow. These events will provide us a great boost in both our restaurant and catering business and we are proud to be a part of this celebration with Floridians from across the state.
* Ambassador Francis Rooney, chair of the 2011 Inaugural Committee: There is much to celebrate with the election of Rick Scott, including an aggressive jobs plan to turn Floridas economy around. We are grateful to our donors for their support and for the opportunity to present so many great free events at no cost to the taxpayers.
Rooney says it all ... "no cost to the taxpayers."
A Florida inauguration is a party the whole state should be able to share in.And because private contributors -- who are named, whoare not cloaked in secrecy -- ponied up their money, we can keep ours. It may cost us to get to the capital, to stay in a hotel and eat out, but we can be a part of history, we can attendthe majorityof the dozen-or-so events surrounding the swearing-in of our new governor for free. For nothing. As it should be in a vibrant free-enterprise system.
Call it the other side of the inauguration story. Ifit offends the naysayers and the pity partiers, so be it. They can get over it.
Reach Nancy Smith at nancybutlersmith@yahoo.com, or at (850) 727-0859.
