Where's Wally Herger on Earmarks?
Cost of Herger's Earmarks to the Taxpayers
"Do as I say, not as I do." Perhaps that's what Rep. Herger would like you to think when it comes to his support of Congressional earmarks.
Earmarks are typically handed out as favors in exchange for votes on key pieces of legislation by party leaders and appropriations chairmen. They by-pass the normal budget process, receiving little to no scrutiny by congressional committees.
At least there's one North State congressman with some integrity. According to the February 8, 2010 edition of the Sacramento Bee, Congressman Tom McClintock (R-4th CD) said he will not seek congressional earmarks.
"I've made it very clear that I will fight for our district through the normal appropriations process", he said.
The Bee reports that McClintock said funding for projects should be based solely on their merits, not on seniority or who wields the gavel as the majority party.
According to LegiStorm, Rep. Herger has a few earmarks of his own for fiscal years 2008-2009 (earlier data unavailable):
| Requested | Cost to Taxpayers | |
| Solo Earmarks | 7 | $11,265,450 |
| With Other Members | 18 | $63,676,000 |
| All Sponsored Earmarks | 25 | $74,941,450 |
So, is this really the kind of leadership you want?
Source: LegiStorm Transparency's Sidekick, January 31, 2010 - www.legistorm.com
Earmarks making great party favors
Earmarks are typically handed out as favors in exchange for votes on key pieces of legislation by party leaders and appropriations chairmen. They by-pass the normal budget process, receiving little to no scrutiny by congressional committees.
Thankfully, there's at least one North State congressman with some integrity. According to the February 8, 2010 edition of the Sacramento Bee, Congressman Tom McClintock (R-4th CD) said he will not seek congressional earmarks.
"I've made it very clear that I will fight for our district through the normal appropriations process", he said.
The Bee reports that McClintock said funding for projects should be based solely on their merits, not on seniority or who wields the gavel as the majority party.
However, according to the Record Searchlight, Wally Herger has no problem with earmarks. Here's some of what they reported in a March 13, 2009 article:
Herger sticks $42 million in earmarks into stimulus package he opposed
President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed off on the $410 billion bill, which includes more than 8,570 congressional earmarks worth more than $7.7 billion, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington, D.C., pork-barrel spending watchdog group.
Herger voted against the bill, citing a nearly 10 percent increase in federal spending, just weeks after Obama signed off on a nearly $1 trillion stimulus bill, which Herger also voted against.
Despite his vote against the spending bill, Herger managed to slip $42 million for projects for his district.
Many of the earmarks also were supported by Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.
So, is this really the kind of leadership you want?
Source: The Record Searchlight, March 13, 2009, Ryan Sabalow - www.redding.com
