Local Congressmen Post Earmarks on Their Websites
POSTING
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Sarah Gantz
Boston University Washington News Service
04/09/09
WASHINGTON – Local congressmen reported more than $647 million in 2010 budget earmark requests on their Web sites, in accordance with a House Appropriations Committee reform to enhance transparency.
Since 2007, a list of earmarks and which members requested them has been posted online before a bill is passed. But this is the first time members have been required to independently post on their own Web sites a list of the earmarks they have requested in the proposed spending bills. Not all requested earmarks will be included in the final versions of the bills.
In an effort to improve transparency, the committee requested that members’ lists include the name and address of the organization for which funding has been requested, the amount of money requested and a brief description of the project.
“Certainly this is a significant step forward,” said Steve Ellis, the vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a government watchdog group that has been tracking Congress’ compliance with the new rule.
But, he said, “Having it located on 400 or 500 Web sites—in a variety of locations, in a variety of Web sites—is not the most efficient and effective way to achieve transparency.”
The appropriations earmark lists posted many House members take the form of Internet buried treasure, which require sifting through various pages and subpages to get to the numbers, and as of April 8, many had neglected to post their projects at all.
But U.S. Reps. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, John W. Olver, D-Amherst, and Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, posted links to their budget earmark proposals on their homepages. They say they have nothing to hide; in fact, they are proud of their earmarks.
“For me, it’s very simple—I’m proud of the work I do for my constituents,” said Mr. McGovern, who has requested 55 earmarks worth more than $400 million. “If I can make it easier for them to know what I’m doing, all the better.”
Mr. McGovern’s earmarks can be perused from a menu listed under the “Appropriations” tab on his Web site’s homepage. According to his Web site, Mr. McGovern requested the 55 projects, including $800,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, $2 million for CellTech Power, a Westborough-based company, to improve coal fuel efficiency, and $100 million for Boston-Power Inc., which plans to open a plant in Westborough to manufacture lithium-ion batteries needed by the Defense Department.
“It wasn’t that I just drew projects out of a hat,” Mr. McGovern said. He said his project list is the product of long discussions between him, local politicians, business leaders and community groups.
Mr. Olver’s 64 earmarks are listed alphabetically in one press release posted front and center on his homepage. There is no point in hiding the fact that he has requested $76 million for his district, Mr. Olver said.
“Earmarks give me an opportunity to help make a difference,” he said, “to directly address the needs I see in our community.”
Among Mr. Olver’s projects, which he described as “solid investments,” is funding for the Leominster branch of Fosta-Tek Optics to develop low-cost combat optics for use in the Middle East ($1.5 million), Mount Wachusett Community College to erect a wind turbine ($1 million), and the Orange Police Department to begin a civilian watch program ($622,000).
Mr. Neal requested about $82 million in budget earmarks, which are listed on his Web site under the link, “Appropriations Priorities.”
William Tranghese, Mr. Neal’s press secretary, said in an email that it is Mr. Neal’s belief “that this significant reform measure will bring increased scrutiny and accountability to the appropriations process.”
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