Former lawmakers' earmarks keep pet projects alive

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today

A $410 billion bill that would keep the government running through September directs $227 million to pet projects for former lawmakers, including an ex-congressman facing corruption charges, a USA TODAY analysis shows.

The short-term budget, which Congress failed to complete last year and is now headed to a Senate vote this week, includes seven projects worth $1.2 million for Rick Renzi, a former Republican congressman indicted in 2008 on charges stemming from a land deal in Arizona. It also includes $1 million in projects requested by former senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, arrested in 2007 as part of a sex sting.

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There are 458 projects requested solely by former lawmakers, the analysis shows. Most were Republicans because the party suffered big losses in November. Among the Democrats: former representative Hilda Solis, Obama's Labor secretary, who was the sole sponsor of $2.5 million in projects.

Renzi requested $150,000 for the Pinal County Sheriff for drug enforcement and an additional $614,000 for road and bridge projects. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Other former House members include Ralph Regula, an Ohio Republican who requested $7.9 million, including $475,000 for a bicycle trail. "There isn't one of those that I can't justify as having a very positive impact," Regula said.





Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-04-earmarks_N.htm

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Isn't that special - mostly Repuke earmarks!

[pscot]

1. I'm sure we'll soon see John McSame and Tom coburn

on the Senate floor denouncing this outrage. We will see that, won't we?

[Sinistrous]

2. John huffed and puffed over this the other day.

He, of course, blamed them all on President Obama. Came across like the perfect twit he is.