harrisonsdream
05-25-2007, 10:07 AM
Review shows Clinton the priciest ex-president
Tab of $1.16 million is double Carter's
By JOHN SOLOMON
Washington Post
WASHINGTON — So which of the three living ex-presidents costs taxpayers the most money? The most recent to become a former president, Bill Clinton, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The globe-trotting former president with the New York office and a worldwide charitable enterprise is seeking $1.16 million in taxpayer money for fiscal 2008. That is more than double the amount requested by fellow Democrat Jimmy Carter and substantially more than that by Republican George H.W. Bush.
Clinton's office makes no apologies, saying taxpayers are getting a bargain. His office blames much of the cost on New York City's pricey rents, noting that his Harlem office costs half a million dollars a year, far more than Bush's Houston office ($175,000) and Carter's Atlanta digs ($102,000).
Clinton, who has earned nearly $40 million in speaking fees since leaving office, also wants more for telephone expenses — $79,000 compared with $17,000 for Bush and $10,000 for Carter.
And while all three former presidents are entitled to pensions of $191,000 next year, Clinton has requested $10,000 more for health insurance.
Clinton's office said it couldn't immediately figure out that last request, given that through his wife, he is entitled to one of the country's best plans through the Senate.
ON THE GOVERNMENT'S DIME
Funding requests for former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, fiscal 2008:
Pension
• Carter: $191,000
• Bush: $191,000
• Clinton: $201,000
Staff
• Carter: $98,000
• Bush: $160,000
• Clinton: $161,000
Travel
• Carter: $2,000
• Bush: $56,000
• Clinton: $50,000
Rent
• Carter: $102,000
• Bush: $175,000
• Clinton: $516,000
Telephone
• Carter: $10,000
• Bush: $17,000
• Clinton: $79,000
Postage
• Carter: $15,000
• Bush: $13,000
• Clinton: $15,000
Other services
• Carter: $83,000
• Bush: $76,000
• Clinton: $65,000
Printing
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $14,000
• Clinton: $14,000
Supplies
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $15,000
• Clinton: $26,000
Equipment
• Carter: $7,000
• Bush: $69,000
• Clinton: $35,000
Total
• Carter: $518,000
• Bush: $786,000
• Clinton: $1.16 million
Sources: Congressional Research Service, General Services Administration allowances for former presidents, fiscal 2008 request
Tab of $1.16 million is double Carter's
By JOHN SOLOMON
Washington Post
WASHINGTON — So which of the three living ex-presidents costs taxpayers the most money? The most recent to become a former president, Bill Clinton, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The globe-trotting former president with the New York office and a worldwide charitable enterprise is seeking $1.16 million in taxpayer money for fiscal 2008. That is more than double the amount requested by fellow Democrat Jimmy Carter and substantially more than that by Republican George H.W. Bush.
Clinton's office makes no apologies, saying taxpayers are getting a bargain. His office blames much of the cost on New York City's pricey rents, noting that his Harlem office costs half a million dollars a year, far more than Bush's Houston office ($175,000) and Carter's Atlanta digs ($102,000).
Clinton, who has earned nearly $40 million in speaking fees since leaving office, also wants more for telephone expenses — $79,000 compared with $17,000 for Bush and $10,000 for Carter.
And while all three former presidents are entitled to pensions of $191,000 next year, Clinton has requested $10,000 more for health insurance.
Clinton's office said it couldn't immediately figure out that last request, given that through his wife, he is entitled to one of the country's best plans through the Senate.
ON THE GOVERNMENT'S DIME
Funding requests for former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, fiscal 2008:
Pension
• Carter: $191,000
• Bush: $191,000
• Clinton: $201,000
Staff
• Carter: $98,000
• Bush: $160,000
• Clinton: $161,000
Travel
• Carter: $2,000
• Bush: $56,000
• Clinton: $50,000
Rent
• Carter: $102,000
• Bush: $175,000
• Clinton: $516,000
Telephone
• Carter: $10,000
• Bush: $17,000
• Clinton: $79,000
Postage
• Carter: $15,000
• Bush: $13,000
• Clinton: $15,000
Other services
• Carter: $83,000
• Bush: $76,000
• Clinton: $65,000
Printing
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $14,000
• Clinton: $14,000
Supplies
• Carter: $5,000
• Bush: $15,000
• Clinton: $26,000
Equipment
• Carter: $7,000
• Bush: $69,000
• Clinton: $35,000
Total
• Carter: $518,000
• Bush: $786,000
• Clinton: $1.16 million
Sources: Congressional Research Service, General Services Administration allowances for former presidents, fiscal 2008 request