April 22, 2008
Feds Will Help Pay for NYC Papal Visit Costs
Now that Pope Benedict XVI has left NYC, it's time to pay the NYPD overtime bills. According to the NYPD, the State Department will reimburse the city for 50-60% of the costs associated with making sure the pope was safe throughout his 3 days in the city.
While the exact total will be released soon (Pope John Paul II's 1995 visit cost $4 million in overtime), Mayor Bloomberg emphasized, "This is one of those things were the expenses are relatively negligible, virtually impossible to measure, but the benefits will go on for a long time." Also, the NYPD's $5.5 billion budget does have money set aside for events like this. Last year, the State Department reimbursed the city $8 million of the $15 million spent for security for visiting heads of state (it's all part of the "moderately effective" Protection of Foreign Missions and Officials Program).
Newsday reports the city estimates the Pope's visit brought in $65 million in spending (hotels, food, shopping).
Photograph of the Pope in Popemobile near Central Park on Saturday by djmac20 on Flickr
|
The RCs should step up to the plate and pay the rest. This insane nonsense doesn't happen when the Archbishop of Canterbury visits. Also, how much of a hit did this have on businesses in the frozen zones? More that $65 million?
hizzoner said: Mayor Bloomberg emphasized, "This is one of those things were the expenses are relatively negligible, virtually impossible to measure, but the benefits will go on for a long time."
And what might those benefits be?
The hotels would all be full, whether or not the pope comes to town. Why are they afraid to hit up the Vatican for the dough?
How can you ask the Holy Father for restitution of lost business? His Holy blessing upon our beloved city is restitution enough.
The "RCs" (through the USCCB) pay the costs of the visit at the other end (the costs accrued by the Pope and Vatican), as well as paying a very nice share of the governmental expenses through their taxes. The "insane nonsense" of people having enthusiasm for a world leader might happen for the Archbishop of Canterbury if he perhaps were the spiritual leader of more than 1/6th the world's population as the Pope, in fact, is.
Perhaps only Giants fans should pay for any overtime that was accrued by police officers during the victory parade; perhaps Yankees fans should reimburse the city for their various parades over the years.
Toby:
The Pope is also the leader of a nation (Vatican City), which is why the State Department might be more ready to throw some money at his trips. I'd imagine this is somewhat standard practice for visiting dignitaries.
Not that I don't think it's ridiculous nonetheless...
Wait, does the Roman Catholic Church pay taxes? I thought it was tax-exempt.
The Church still pays certain taxes (such as payroll), and even still, it's members pay taxes just like everyone else.
But not property taxes - and churches in New York City are among the largest landowners in this town.
It's a great racket - if you're lucky enough to be one of the insiders.
It's a great racket - if you're lucky enough to be one of the insiders.
I agree, but it isn't like they're putting up condos.
Some of the spots where those churches and synagogues sit would be worth a LOT of money if you knocked them down and developed them properly.
Well... maybe don't knock them down. Relocate them to Red Hook with the Cheyenne Diner.
as matter of fact thats exactly what they do - St.Johns school on 21st in Brooklyn springs to mind. Built with funds from the community it stands for over a hunderd years - then the school is closed and the classrooms are converted into....wait for it....luxary condo apartments.
Thats whats happening to all these magnificent buildings that were catholic schools and were closed a few years back. just what the world needs to now, luxary condos.
I love how the little rich man says the expenses are negligible. Good one, Bling.
I suppose the Archdiocese is broke from paying its teachers.