Pence’s Wisconsin state Capitol visit cost $43,500

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to the state Capitol in Madison cost more than $43,000.

Pence spoke in the Capitol rotunda in January to promote school choice, including private school vouchers, charter schools and other nontraditional options. School Choice Wisconsin, Hispanics for School Choice and National School Choice Week sponsored the event.

The Capital Times r eports the visit cost the state Department of Administration, Capitol Police Department and the city of Madison police and fire departments about $43,500.

Documents the newspaper obtained show DOA incurred about $10,423 for the cost of labor, material and equipment preparing for the event. Capitol Police spent about $10,600 for 325 personnel hours and $300 for parking in a county ramp. The Madison Fire Department incurred about $4,000 in overtime costs. Madison Police paid about $18,100 for overtime and other costs associated with protection they provided during the event.

The sponsors plan to reimburse only about $10,400 in expenses DOA incurred related to facilities, electrical and custodial services. The sponsors say they’ve paid that, although DOA hasn’t received the money yet.