Thread: Earmarks:Congress must disclose projects they want funded

Congress opens its secret wish lists to public scrutiny
Earmarks » Bishop asks for $400M

By Matt Canham

The Salt Lake Tribune
Posted: 04/03/2009 05:19:05 PM MDT

Washington » For the first time, members of Congress must disclose the pet projects they want funded, bringing unprecedented transparency to the once secretive earmarking process.

All of Utah's delegation, except for Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson, refused to provide that same information a year ago. But under new rules, if they don't post the request on their congressional Web sites, they don't get a dime.

The deadline for House members was Friday, marking the latest attempt to quell the constant controversy over earmarks, often criticized for their connections to campaign contributions and recent pay-to-play scandals. Senators will follow suit in the coming weeks, posting who requested the money, how much they want and what they will spend it on.

"Lawmakers will have their constituents looking over their shoulder. All of us perform better when we know we are being watched," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group critical of earmarks.

These pet projects are only a tiny fraction of the overall federal budget, but they take up major amounts of congressional time. For weeks, a steady parade of defense contractors, local mayors and lobbyists have met with Utah's congressional staffs to pitch potential earmarks.

Rep. Rob Bishop's requests totalled nearly seven times those of Matheson. Rep. Jason Chaffetz requested no earmarks.

Last year, Utah's federal
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delegation gave a variety of reasons for withholding their earmark requests. The most common explanation was that they didn't want to deal with people upset that their project was denied.

"It does make life a little easier. Out of fairness for those who ask and don't get, it is a logical thing to do," Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said at the time. He receives more earmarks than any other member from Utah because of his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Orrin Hatch's spokeswoman at the time said the senator didn't want to release the information because he didn't want to see it in the newspaper.

Matheson released the information, making him one of only 66 House members to do so. He received no criticism from people upset that he didn't back their projects.

"We were elected to make decisions," he said. "There shouldn't be any secrets."

He called the new rules "a good step" toward building public confidence in earmarking.

Last year, he wanted more than $100 million to fund nearly 50 projects involving everything from military technology to road construction. He ultimately secured about $23 million through 18 earmarks.

This year, Matheson wants about $58 million for 43 projects, including money for new efficient stoplights in Salt Lake City, drug court programs in Uintah County and technology for the St. George airport.

Utah Republican Bishop requested more than $400 million for 88 projects on Friday and that total doesn't count the $4.2 billion he wants for new military cargo planes, a project with many congressional sponsors. The biggest share of Bishop's earmarks goes to military projects because Hill Air Force Base is in his district. As with any member, only a fraction of the requests will receive funding.

Even though he withheld his requests in the past, Bishop has no problem with the new requirements, said Scott Parker, Bishop's chief of staff.

"It's important to play by the rules, and that's what we've done in the past and what we are doing this year. The new requirement for online disclosure seems fair and is fine with us," he said.

Utah's newest congressman, Chaffetz, refused to request any earmarks this year. He believes the process is ripe for abuse, though he considers the online disclosure of requests as progress.

"I think we could and should go further," said Chaffetz, a Republican. He promised to develop his own proposal for what is appropriate to request and what is not. While still being developed, Chaffetz said his plan would ban any earmarks going to private companies, such as defense contractors. He thinks that money should go through the normal bidding process.

mcanham@sltrib.com
Utah members' earmark requests: A sample

Dixie State University wants $1 million to create a regional center to address identity theft (Matheson)

Highland City wants $1.6 million to complete construction of the Timpanogos Cave visitor center (Matheson)

Utah Shakespearean Festival wants nearly $1 million to install efficient lighting at an outdoor theater. (Matheson)

Attensity Inc. wants $1.5 million to create a program to collect military intelligence from the Internet, blogs and social networking sites. (Bishop)

Archtech Inc. wants $3.4 million to turn conventional ammunition parts into a safe fertilizer for resale. (Bishop)

Northrop Grumman wants $5 million to create automated refueling of pilotless planes. (Bishop)

Utah Valley University wants $1.8 million to help construct a greenhouse. (Bishop)

Salt Lake City wants $1 million to restore the Fisher Mansion. (Bishop)
What has to be released?

The intended recipient of the earmark, the cost and the purpose of the project.

Where can I find the info?

On the Web sites for each member of Congress. For Utah members, that would be:

Matheson.house.gov

Robbishop.house.gov

Chaffetz.house.gov (he requested no earmarks)
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12066484

Wow! When did this happen?

It certainly is a step in the right direction but there are still many things to be worked on.

At the top of that list should be eliminating any and all funding given to entities such as NCLR, ACLU, and that ilk.

There is nothing which requires this country to provide funding to those who use it to promote or participate in the destruction of the US, attack it's law enforcement agencies, school systems, governing bodies, and even indviduals, interfere in our lawful processes, and engage in all of the other activities these groups engage in.