Dave Heineman holds four reelection inaugural galas across Nebraska while other Republican and Democrat governors scale back festivities

Tuxedo-clad choir serenades Gov. Heineman and wife at one of four
reelection inauguration galas across Nebraska. Other Republican and
Democrat governors have cut back inauguration festivities in recognition
of economic hardships endured by constituents in a still-tough economy.

As other governors scale down inauguration activities, Dave Heineman reveled in a red-rose bedecked Marriott ballroom among $250-per­­-plate diners Friday night in Lincoln.

Heineman's cross-state reelection coronation on Friday ended at a “gala state dinner”for 500 at Lincoln's Cornhusker Marriott Hotel.

Said a tuxedo-clad Heineman before the evening feast: “There isn't a part of this job I don't enjoy.”

Paul Hammel of the Omaha World-Herald reported that Dave Heineman and guests dined on beef tenderloin, garlic-mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.

Sunday, Heineman will attend a another celebratory dinner in Omaha for 1,000 people at the Qwest Center.

Elsewhere, Glenn Adams of the Associated Press reported that Republican Paul LePage was sworn in as Maine governor January 6th at a reception — not a banquet or ball — at the Augusta Civic Center. In keeping with the mood of economic austerity, LePage decided to skip an inaugural gala.

Blogger John Wagner reported in the Washington Post that  in recognition of the state's continuing economic challenges, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) will scale back his Jan. 19 inaugural activities compared to four years ago... the "black-tie optional" ball of 2006 has been replaced by a "business cocktail attire" gathering at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore.

In addition to purchasing $75 tickets (discounted to $50 for students and seniors), attendees of the Inaugural Celebration, as it's being billed, are also being asked to bring a canned or nonperishable food item for the Maryland Food Bank.

"It'll be somewhat scaled down for two reasons," O'Malley said in an interview Monday. "For one, these are austere times, and two, it's also a reelection. ...While it's important that we celebrate this milestone in our history, we also need to demonstrate an awareness of the difficulties that families throughout our state are facing."