President-elect Obama has promised (wink-wink) that he will see to it that no earmarks (also known as pork) projects are included in his "stimulus package."
"We're not having earmarks in the recovery package, period," he said Jan. 7.
Yeah, right.
As the Washington Post reports today, Obama's selection for Transportation Secretary is an unapologetic advocate of pork.
Ray LaHood, who represented Illinois in the House
for seven terms, sponsored $60 million in earmarks last year, steering at least
$9 million in federal money to campaign donors, a Washington Post analysis shows. An opponent of
earmark reform efforts in Congress, LaHood ranks roughly among the top 10
percent in the House for sponsoring earmarks in 2008, according to a watchdog
group.
for seven terms, sponsored $60 million in earmarks last year, steering at least
$9 million in federal money to campaign donors, a Washington Post analysis shows. An opponent of
earmark reform efforts in Congress, LaHood ranks roughly among the top 10
percent in the House for sponsoring earmarks in 2008, according to a watchdog
group.
But don't worry, it's not like LaHood will be in charge of a large chunk of taxpayer dollars or anything.
The stimulus package would include the largest wave of federal transportation
spending since the Eisenhower administration launched the creation of the
interstate highway system.
spending since the Eisenhower administration launched the creation of the
interstate highway system.
Oops.
Ah yes, more change we can believe in.
Pass the pork!!!
obamaporkreport.info