Rep. Jason Chaffetz decides not to seek $280 million in earmarks this year

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jason Chaffetz's on-and-off personal ban on earmarks is back on.

Chaffetz, R-Utah, said Wednesday he has decided not to seek any earmarks (asking appropriators to fund specific local projects) for the 2011 budget year because spending by Congress is so excessive that he cannot justify pushing even worthy earmarks now.

"The federal government has to do more with less, just like everyone else in this economy, including states and local governments," he said. "We can't be all things to all people."

Chaffetz unseated former Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah, two years ago in part by attacking Cannon's earmarks. He kept a vow not to seek any himself during his first year in Congress.

Late last year, near the end of his freshman year, Chaffetz announced he would seek with full transparency appropriate and wise earmarks — mostly for local governments. He still attacked what he said were the unfair, pork-barrel earmarks of others.

On Wednesday he said that while many worthy projects from his district had been submitted for his consideration, he decided not to push any to try to help hold down overall spending.

"There are legitimate reasons to seek federal dollars," he said. "Yet the people of Utah didn't send me here to fire up the favor factory."

That may bring praise from conservatives who hate earmarks, but criticism from groups and local governments that may lose funding for their projects to other regions.

While Chaffetz is not seeking earmarks, he said he is willing to help find funding for worthy projects through the president's budget submission and through the grant process.

"I will do everything in my power to seek funding for legitimate projects in the state of Utah while still committing to increase openness, transparency and reform," he said.

Chaffetz even released a list of earmarks that he had been requested to seek, but which he declined. They included 50 requests — totaling more than $280 million — from such entities as Utah Valley University, Snow College, Provo, West Valley City, Herriman, Orem, Salt Lake County, Lehi and Taylorsville.

Among those requests, which Chaffetz will not pursue, were $6 million for Provo Municipal Airport development; $1 million requested by Taylorsville for roadwork at 5400 South and I-215; and $1.7 million requested by West Valley City for a forensic DNA lab for its police.

Others included $1.1 million requested by Herriman for secondary water system development; $1.8 million requested by Salt Lake County for an emergency data center; $1 million requested by Orem for ultraviolet disinfection at a water reclamation plant; $1.6 million requested by UVU for a microscopy facility; and $574,000 requested by Snow College for dental and health assisting programs.

This story was reported from Salt Lake City.

e-mail: lee@desnews.com