From Deseret News archives:
Spending bill OK'd, with a wad for Utah
But watchdog groups say measure is full of pork-barrel waste
That came as the House voted 242-176 to approve the $373 billion bill that combines seven of the 13 normal appropriations bills Congress must pass each year. It comes more than two months late, because the federal fiscal year began Oct. 1. The Senate may not pass it for another month because of delaying tactics being used by critics.
Reps. Chris Cannon and Rob Bishop, R-Utah, voted for it Monday, and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, opposed it complaining about several provisions, such as inclusion of a pay raise for Congress and failure to block rules that take away overtime pay for many workers. Watchdog groups howled in press conferences that the bill includes an estimated 7,500 earmarks worth $7.5 billion in unneeded pork-barrel spending for special interests. Two groups specifically attacked some of Bennett's requests as among the worst.
Meanwhile, Citizens Against Government Waste listed seven of the worst examples it saw nationally and included the $500,000 Bennett obtained for the Pete Suazo Business Center. The group said it was "to purchase building space."
A statement from Bennett's office said the center promotes "entrepreneurial initiatives in Utah's underserved business community" and the money was to help its activities.
Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said the bill "included thousands of frivolous, bizarre and special interest earmarks for every congressional district in the nation. From making baby food out of salmon to swimming pools in Nevada and California, this spending bill has something for almost everyone. YMCAs, museums, county libraries, ballet schools."
Bennett's office did not immediately respond to such criticism. But Bennett has said previously that he seeks money for worthy Utah projects and does not consider them wasteful. A list from his office included almost 60 Utah projects sharing nearly $100 million in the bill including:
- $30 million toward the TRAX light-rail line to the University of Utah Medical Center.
Comments
- Smoking up nationally, down in Utah 5:36 p.m.
- 4A: Springville holds off Dixie 5:28 p.m.
- Lit flicks: Holiday movie offerings 5:17 p.m.
- 1940s thrillers are new to DVD 5:17 p.m.
- Keb' Mo' enjoys independence 5:16 p.m.
- On the screen 5:16 p.m.
- Weekend entertainment calendar 5:16 p.m.
- 'Bruno,' 'Star Trek' new to DVD 5:16 p.m.
- Coming soon to theater near you 5:16 p.m.
- Musician writes first note to last 5:16 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
328 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
312 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Will state consider gay rights law?
130 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
123 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
117
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
RE: to bravabun | 5:40 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 You're so wrong it's not even...
the solution to outrageous bank fees? don't use a debit card, and switch...
Dixie - nothing to be ashamed of. You represented Southern Utah well.
They didn't realize it was a national race? What kind of intelligence is...
"So the Church can discriminate against gays entering the temple based on...
The LDS church did the right thing here. It's nice to see a church with Jesus...
Oh please don't cry discrimination wolf buddy. I'm a Polynesian Police...
The House demonstrated their cowardice as well as their agenda to force a...
It was nice to see that Coach Sloan was considered as one of the great...



You can be the first to comment on this story.