Four years late: Obama campaign pays its bill to cash-strapped NV school district

Nevada Journal ^ | July 12, 2012 | Karen Gray

[NevadaPolicyResearchInstitute]

While President Obama's fundraising woes are making national headlines, is his Obama for America campaign looking to cut costs by shortchanging school districts and municipalities for the cost of his events?

As the President crisscrosses the country in his bid for re-election, holding campaign rallies and fundraisers in towns and cities across America, local governments keep attempting — and failing — to get his campaign to pay its event-related expenses.

In Las Vegas, however, taxpayers — who for nearly four years had been on the hook for about $25,000 — finally received some reimbursement late last month.

It was — coincidentally enough — on the very day that the Clark County School District finally released to Nevada Journal district invoices and other public records for the Obama campaign's 2008 use of district facilities.

When now-President Obama was merely candidate Obama, Nevada was a swing-vote state and a political battleground. Candidate Obama flew in and out of Las Vegas often, holding political rallies at local high schools — and leaving unpaid expenses behind.

Now, all around the country, something quite similar is going on.

In Durham, N.H., town leaders recently scheduled a special public meeting to discuss the campaign's refusal to reimburse campaign-related police and fire services.

Ultimately, an anonymous donor stepped forward, offering to pay the expenses, and the meeting was postponed.

In the City of Newport Beach, Calif., City Manager Dave Kiff invoiced Obama for America $35,043.04 for extra police officers, reserve officers and overtime pay to cover a February fundraising visit.

Newport Beach spokesperson Mary Locey told Nevada Journal last week that, "the City has not received payment [due June 9] or a response from the campaign."

As such local governments make headlines, controversy and debate grow.

[Mr. K]

"Ultimately, an anonymous donor stepped forward, offering to pay the expenses, and the meeting was postponed"

Wouldn't that violate campaign finance limits?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Not unexpected from our Deadbeat-in-Chief.

[MeganC]

Were I a city dealing with the Obama campain I’d simply refuse to provide security for a political campaign.

[MeganC]

“That is an anonymous campaign contribution. This may have been illegal. Thoughts?”

We should notify the US Attorney General, Eric Holder. He’ll take care of it, I’m sure.

[bgill]

Two or three weeks ago, he skipped out on paying the lunch bill at some restaurant.

[ncfool]

They better collect their money upfront for all stops this run or they will get stiffed when Obummer loses.

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

This overdue reimbursement comes after the Clark County School District has already laid off support staff, bus drivers, literacy specialists, and teachers.