Thread: County considers special tax for Trump's Mar-a-Lago visits

County considers special tax for Trump's Mar-a-Lago visits

By terry spencer, associated press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Apr 10, 2017, 12:46 PM ET

Commissioners in a Florida county are so tired of spending money on President Donald Trump's frequent visits to his Mar-a-Lago resort that some are suggesting a special tax be levied against the property if the federal government doesn't reimburse its costs.

Palm Beach County spends more than $60,000 a day when the president visits, mostly for law enforcement overtime -- almost $2 million since January. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says the county was expected to spend $250,000 during Trump's recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the president's sixth trip to his Winter White House in the 12 weeks since his inauguration.

County Commissioner Dave Kerner has suggested turning Mar-a-Lago into a special taxing district and imposing a levy on the resort to pay the president's security costs. Because Mar-a-Lago is incorporated as a club, it pays lower property taxes than hotels. It also gets a tax break because Trump surrendered development rights after he purchased the property from the estate of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post for $10 million in 1985.

The 500 members pay $14,000 annually in dues. The initiation fee was recently doubled to $200,000. Forbes Magazine estimates the club is now worth $150 million.

"We're very honored to have the president here, but at the same time, his travel here is such high frequency he's not visiting Palm Beach County — he's governing from it," Kerner told Money magazine recently. "Whatever our priorities are, the taxpayers didn't pay this money to us to protect the president."

Kerner did not return numerous calls from The Associated Press to his office.

The sheriff believes the federal government will eventually reimburse the county, but can't be certain.

"I had a personal conversation with the president in February and he understands," Bradshaw said. "There is a system in place and, unfortunately, that involves Congress ... and that is not an easy thing to navigate through. I am sure they will get around to it."

Local governments aren't the only ones complaining. No solution has been found for the 28 business owners at Lantana Airport, a small field for propeller planes about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Mar-a-Lago. The Secret Service shutters it every time Trump visits Mar-a-Lago because agents believe the 350 flights it handles daily pose a security risk.

Marian Smith, who owns a flight school, says she has lost almost $100,000 because of the closures. A banner-towing company that operates from the airport says it has lost over $40,000 in contracts.

Jonathan Miller, the contractor who operates the county-owned airport, said this week that he believes a compromise will be worked out with the Secret Service, the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies that would allow the airport to operate with restrictions during presidential visits.

"The FAA has a strong incentive to work with us and help get some funding that will put a system in place that will appease the Secret Service," Miller said.

The cost of Trump's visits divides local residents, with the schism often falling along political lines. Trump's supporters say any money spent by the county is recouped through added visitors lured by the frequent exposure and his visits show he cares about the area.

"The fact that he comes down here, the fact he is involved in the community to this extent even though he is the president, I think that's great," said Julian Detwiler, who operates produce stands at local farmers markets. "There are costs associated with everything. It doesn't cost the country or the community more for him to (visit) than lots of other things we do. It keeps the economy going."

The president's critics say the visits illustrate his hypocrisy as he frequently slammed President Barack Obama's trips, even though they were less frequent and didn't burden any single community.

"Trump is costing this area so much money, a hell of a lot of money, and he doesn't seem to give a damn," said Bob Brink, a novelist and retired local journalist.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/c...isits-46705397

I thought West Palm Beach was sort of a ritzy area. Apparently not. Poor things.

"We're very honored to have the president here, but at the same time, his travel here is such high frequency he's not visiting Palm Beach County — he's governing from it," Kerner told Money magazine recently. "Whatever our priorities are, the taxpayers didn't pay this money to us to protect the president."

That's true, but we are paying for Camp David! Camp David is supposedly one of the most secure places in the world and we taxpayers are paying a butt load of money to maintain it.

What can President Trump do at Mar-a-Lago that he can't do at Camp David?

https://whitehouse.gov1.info/camp-david/

Originally Posted by MW

That's true, but we are paying for Camp David! Camp David is supposedly one of the most secure places in the world and we taxpayers are paying a butt load of money to maintain it.

What can President Trump do at Mar-a-Lago that he can't do at Camp David?

https://whitehouse.gov1.info/camp-david/

Maybe be able to have meetings he has good reason to believe is not being recorded????

I'm not sure I would trust Camp David either.

Although, this is much ado about nothing. They would probably be having marching bands every time if Pres. Obama, Clinton, or GW Bush was coming that often.

Originally Posted by nntrixie

Maybe be able to have meetings he has good reason to believe is not being recorded????

I'm not sure I would trust Camp David either.

Although, this is much ado about nothing. They would probably be having marching bands every time if Pres. Obama, Clinton, or GW Bush was coming that often.

I don't think his failure to use Camp David has anything to do with trust.

Personally, I'd like to see our tax dollars spent more wisely, but you're entitled to your opinion. Due to Trump's security needs the Secret Service is asking for a 60 million dollar increase in their annual budget. This is sort of ironic coming from someone who wants to save us money, don't you think?

It's because he has a large family. Secret Service protects the whole Trump family. Eric and Don's families. Tiffany. Jared and Ivanka. In addition to Trump, Melania and Barron. Not sure what you're driving at MW. Sounds like you resent Secret Service Protection for Trump and his Family. Wow.

Originally Posted by Judy

It's because he has a large family. Secret Service protects the whole Trump family. Eric and Don's families. Tiffany. Jared and Ivanka. In addition to Trump, Melania and Barron. Not sure what you're driving at MW. Sounds like you resent Secret Service Protection for Trump and his Family. Wow.

No, but what I do sort of resent is the expanded cost his security is costing in relation to past presidents. The presidents security is paid for by our tax dollars and all I'm saying is he should consider that fact when he wants to take his weekly jaunts to his "lovely" Mar-a-Largo. Like I said in an earlier post, Camp David is one of the most secure places on earth. It is only a 30 minute helicopter ride from the White House lawn. From what I understand 8 million dollars a year of our tax dollars go to maintain Camp David.

CBS NEWS February 21, 2017, 11:40 AM

Trump's Mar-a-Lago trips cost taxpayers about $10M so far


Budget watchdogs are criticizing the cost of President Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Trump has been at his so-called “Winter White House” the past three weekends. That’s 11 of his first 33 days in office. The travel has an estimated price tag of $10 million.

Between Secret Service and police surrounding the estate, and the U.S. Coast Guard in the surrounding waters, Mar-a-Lago is a fortress when the president is here. The White House won’t disclose the exact cost of Mr. Trump’s visits, but the $10 million estimate is based on figures from a similar trip by President Obama in 2013.

Air Force One accounts for a big chunk of the presidential travel budget, costing more than $180,000 per hour to operate, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez. That means the roughly four-hour roundtrip flight to his seaside estate costs more than $700,000.

“If he’s going down there every weekend, the costs are going to add up pretty quickly,” said Tom Fitton, president of watchdog group Judicial Watch. Fitton is pressing the administration to release Mr. Trump’s travel costs.

“He doesn’t need to go to Florida every weekend. He can work at the White House or up at Camp David,” Fitton said.

Mr. Trump often attacked his predecessor over his travel. He once tweeted: “President @barackobama’s vacation is costing taxpayers millions of dollars---Unbelievable!”

Four years ago, a weekend Mr. Obama spent in South Florida cost taxpayers $3.6 million. The Pentagon spent about $2.8 million for Air Force One plus support aircraft and military personnel. The Secret Service and the Coast Guard added nearly $800,000.

During his eight years in office, Mr. Obama racked up about $97 million in travel costs. Mr. Trump is on pace to eclipse that by the end of his first year.


Another cost of keeping Mr. Trump safe? Disruptions to businesses near Mar-a-Lago. The airspace around Lantana Airport in Palm Beach County is restricted whenever the president is in town. On an average day, there are around 300 takeoffs and landings. But when the president is there, nothing’s moving — except the bottom line for businesses that operate out of this airport. They say they lose about $30,000 each weekend they’re closed.

Others welcome the presidential visits to Palm Beach. Ed Kassatly owns a boutique in the ritzy Worth Avenue shopping district.

“President Trump will bring many more high-end visitors to the community, which is definitely going to help everyone on a high economic scale,” Kassatly said.

Regardless of who is in office, presidential trips are never cheap. Clearly, the president must be kept safe. But he also needs to travel with a large contingent of aides so he can continue running the government, especially during emergencies.


© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/presiden...yers-millions/

Trump's private helicopter lands on new helipad built for Marine One at Mar-a-Lago

By CAITLIN YILEK (@HAUSOFCAIT)

4/9/17 10:37 AM

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A Trump-branded helicopter on Saturday used for the first time a helipad that was built for Marine One at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

President Trump was not on the helicopter that landed, according to the Palm Beach Daily News.

A spokesman for the Palm Beach Fire-Rescue told the news organization that he was surprised about the landing, and Secret Service had asked for a fire engine to be on standby.

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"This was not something we knew was coming," Sean Baker said.

He added that Trump's private helicopter would be staged at the resort until Sunday.

The construction on the helipad began in February. The helipad allows Trump to fly in Marine One from Palm Beach International Airport to avoid tying up traffic with his motorcade.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tr...rticle/2619797

That really is a beautiful place. I totally understand why he wants to invite people there for his important meetings. It's a much safer environment, it's one he controls, no White House "leakers". It's definitely the place for Trump and his important guests for high level talks.

I would have no problem reimbursing the poor little town of West Palm Beach. No reason for them to suffer. Not all places can afford to be the home of a President of the United States. I always thought West Palm Beach was a ritzy upscale place, but apparently not, poor things.

Originally Posted by Judy

I thought West Palm Beach was sort of a ritzy area. Apparently not. Poor things.

Mar-A-Largo is in the town of Palm Beach, a rich area in Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach
Town in Florida

The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth. Wikipedia

Weather: 73°F (23°C), Wind E at 15 mph (24 km/h), 56% Humidity

Population: 8,649 (2013)