Pig Book Report Ranks Top Pork Barrel Offenders
PIG BOOK
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Jason Millman
Boston University Washington News Service
April 2, 2008
WASHINGTON – Massachusetts received $187 million from the federal government in pork-barrel spending in the 2008 fiscal year, ranking 31st in the country, according to an annual report from a congressional watchdog group.
The federal government invested $17.2 billion toward projects identified as pork-barrel spending by the Citizens Against Government Waste in its 18th annual Pig Book released Wednesday. The 11,610 projects are the second-highest number in the history of the book compiled by the private, non-partisan organization.
Massachusetts received its highest ranking since the organization first listed state-by-state spending in 2000. Of 100 senators, Massachusetts Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry ranked 33rd and 48th, respectively in bringing home the most pork. Mr. Kennedy secured $192.1 million in 124 projects, and Mr. Kerry secured $138.8 million in 124 projects.
This is the first year members of Congress are required to attach their names to earmarks they support because of a 2007 agreement between congressional Republicans and Democrats, said Citizens Against Government Waste president Thomas A. Schatz.
The Pig Book defines pork as spending that meets at least one of seven criteria: requested by only one chamber of Congress; not specifically authorized; not competitively awarded; not requested by the president; greatly exceeds the president’s budget request; not the subject of congressional hearings; and serves only a local or special interest.
Programs identified as the most wasteful included the Lobster Institute in Maine, a national program to teach golf to children, and money for fruit fly research in France.
U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, a member of the Appropriations Committee, ranked among the top members with $71.3 million in 63 projects. Mr. Olver, also chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, secured $5.8 million for the MBTA Fitchburg to Boston Rail Corridor Project, $1.47 million for the downtown streetscape in Pittsfield, and $269,500 for the renovation of the Berkshire Music Hall and Octagon House in Pittsfield.
“It’s my job to advocate on behalf of my constituents and look for opportunities to channel federal funding to worthwhile local economic development projects,” Mr. Olver said in a statement. “And these projects are solid investments. They work to address the needs of communities, assist local businesses, and contribute to basic health and educational needs. They are good uses of federal funds. Earmarks give me an opportunity to help make a difference, to directly address the needs I see in our community.”
U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, brought $27.7 million back to Massachusetts, including $735,000 for road safety improvements at the College of the Holy Cross, $245,000 for the John Bartholomew Gough Estate in Boylston, and $82,000 for the Molly Bish Center at Anna Maria College.
“The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse,” Mr. McGovern said in a statement. “I work closely with communities in my district, and I believe that I have a better idea of what those communities need than some bureaucrat in Washington who can’t even pronounce ‘Worcester.’”
Joined by several Republican members of Congress during a press conference Wednesday, Mr. Schatz expressed disappointment that Congress rejected a proposal earlier this year to implement a one-year ban on all earmarks.
“So far the only thing that has happened is the House Appropriations Committee was forced to extend its deadline for receiving earmarks because there is such a demand,” Mr. Schatz said. “So it’s business as usual, unfortunately.”
Mr. Schatz read off a list of “Oinker” awards, dubious honors highlighting the worst offenders and offenses of wasteful spending.
U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W. Va., who the organization labeled the “King of Pork,” was given the “Pantheon of Pork Award” for bringing in $386 million.
U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel, the long-serving Democrat from New York, was given the “Narcissist Award” for securing $1,950,000 toward creating a public service center with his name on it.
As two live pigs and a pig mascot – representing pork-barrel spending – stood just feet away, U.S. Rep. John B.T. Campbell III, R-Calif., acknowledged the somewhat humorous nature of yesterday’s press conference while highlighting serious concerns.
“You got the real pigs here, you’ve got the fake pig. It all seems pretty funny and amusing until you realize this money don’t come from nowhere,” Mr. Campbell said.
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