Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Victors rake in the perks Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 16:56:27 EST Message-ID: \SE A \HD Victors rake in the perks \BY Paul M. Rodriguez \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Now that Bill Clinton and Al Gore have run away with the November sweepstakes, they can rake in the perk spoils under a little-known law that permits them use of military jets, government personnel and even free mail. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended in 1988, lets President-elect Clinton tap into the vast arsenal of perks normally reserved for presidents and top officials in Congress, such as House Speaker Thomas S. Foley. Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore also can summon the help of federal agencies by requesting detailees to help work with transition teams now building a new government. The Clinton-Gore team also has immediate access to $3.5 million to help pay for the orderly transition and may use one of the most prized perks in Congress - "franking," or free mail. As vice president, Mr. Gore also will serve a constitutional role as president of the Senate. In that capacity, he gets use of the congressional frank as well as staff and offices plus a separate office on the Capitol grounds. Until Mr. Clinton is sworn in, however, any use of government aircraft must be on a reimbursable basis. Once he is in the White House, the vast arsenal of the military's equipment and services are provided virtually free of charge. A House committee estimated earlier this year that the White House spends more than $183 million a year to operate, including costs for flying Air Force One and Two, the presidential and vice presidential planes. Before passage of the transition law in 1963, presidents-elect and vice presidents-elect had to either pay for their own transitions into the White House or collect money to help defray such costs. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM