Here is your task should you chose to accept it.
The Congressional Pig Book is CAGW's annual compilation of the pork-barrel projects in the federal budget. The 2010 Pig Book identified 9,129 projects at a cost of $16.5 billion in the 12 Appropriations Acts for fiscal 2010. A "pork" project is a line-item in an appropriations bill that designates tax dollars for a specific purpose in circumvention of established budgetary procedures.
Using the following link find an example of "pork barrel spending" by our Congress. You must include in your entry:
A. The name of the Representative or Senator and the state he/she is from
B. The amount of money the project
C. An amusing description of what the money is to be spent on.
D. You need to find an example that is recent though and not something from the 1960's.
http://www.cagw.org/
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE UNIQUE! DON'T WAIT TO BE THE 63RD STUDENT TO POST TO THE BLOG AS YOU WILL NEED TO READ ALL COMMENTS TO INSURE YOURS HASN'T BEEN USED ALREADY!
Here is an example:
In 2010, Senator Thad Cochran (Mississppi) managed to get $500,000 for the University of Southern Mississppi for "cannibus eradication". What a dope project! Maybe drug sniffing dogs should be taken down to our Southern states where the grass apparently is greener.
Assignment is worth 10 points and is due by the date we take our test on Congress.
Mr. Thompson
In 2010, Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas, introduced the improvement for beef research. This ended up reciening $693,000, for their research in Missouri and Texas. Taxpayers are not happy with the spending but the consumption of beef went from 59.2 pounds to 59.9 pounds. Researchers say taxpayers are having a "real beef paying" but they also say "consumers are are confident and have a renewed interest."
ReplyDeleteAnna Passe hour:1
In the fall of 2011, Phil Bredesen of Tennessee created a government program that would give rebates to the first 1,000 Tennesseans who purchased a Nissan Leaf. This rebate, giving $2,500 per-vehicle, will end up costing taxpayers $2.5 million in 2011. Not only is this money taking away from taxpayers, whom the majority will get no benefits from, but it could have a huge impact on gasoline tax revenue as well. A revenue that yields $659 million a year for the state of Tennessee's road maintenance. A Department of Transportation spokeswoman was angry because she explained that, "without that money, we'd be able to build fewer projects," and with fewer projects comes fewer improvements to a growing state.
ReplyDelete-Jared Bruggeman
*Proposed by representative Eddie Bass of Tennessee.
Delete-Jared Bruggeman
*fall of 2010
ReplyDelete-Jared Bruggeman
In 2009, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia appropriated another $ 9.5 million for a highway called Corridor H. This Superhighway is supposed to “promote economic development in the impoverished state.” The road isn’t supposed to be finished until 2035 and neighboring Virginia has no plans to connect to the eastern end. The highway “will create 60 jobs lasting between 18 and 24 months, which works out to $175,000 in taxpayer dollars a year for each job created.” Even people like me who like to drive on highways wouldn’t want to drive on a road that is not connected in the middle and ends 10 miles before you get to Virginia. “We’re on the Road to Nowhere” and paying good money for it.
ReplyDelete-Matt F. hr. 1
In 2009, The House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appropriated $5 million for the Presidio Heritage Center, in San Francisco. The Presidio was included in a round of military base closures, Pelosi helped craft a public-private agreement to keep its valuable real estate from being carved up by developers. The congressional requirement promised that the park would be free of federal subsidies by 2013. The $5 million earmark will fund close to 25 percent of the center’s estimated renovation and help leverage other donations from corporations and foundations. Well it's simple; she is “SPENDING to not spend.”
ReplyDelete-Nour Mirza, Hr.2
In March of 2011, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada) appropriated 7% of the $146 million budget to go to the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko, Nevada. The Cowboy Poetry Festival was going to be defunded for fiscal year 2011, but Senator Reid helped defeat this motion in the Senate. Reid described the proposed termination in a Senate floor speech as “mean spirited”. Senator Reid says without the money, the festival and the tens of thousands of people who come every year would not exist. Interestingly enough, one day after Reid gave his speech, the director of the Western Folklife Center, Charlie Seemann, commented that “he and his fellow cowboys could continue on without the funding”. It sounds like Senator Reid believes the taxpayers should pay for everything, even if a program can stand on its own.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Eckerman , Hour: 2
In April of 2012, Representative Mike Rogers (Alaska),recommended that lawmakers bring back earmarks. Congress was not happy with the idea even though the earmarks projected $7.8 billion to $29 billion between the years of 1994 and 2006. While the earmarks "slip into appropriation bills", they continue to ease in towards consideration.
ReplyDelete-Kadri Plott Hour :4
In 2009, Representative Chris Shays of Conneticut was able to obtain $1.9 million for the Pleasure Beach water taxi service. He believes that since a fire took a bridge down in 1996 there should be other access points to the beach besides walking or boating. Maybe Rep. Shays should put that money into rebuilding the bridge instead of his water taxi. It has been 13 years, so maybe it's time.
ReplyDelete-Shannon Grill Hour:2
Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee chairman Herb Kohl from Wisconsin.Herb spent $2,502,360 for Dairy Forage Agricultural Research Center in Prairie du Sac. Dairy Business Association also known as DBA. The DBA is a organization that supports dairy products. The DBA promotes the growth and having dairy farmers make there business grow. Herb opened a ecolab for the dairy farmers to succeed and promote there business.
ReplyDeleteLauren Kramer Hour-2nd
In 2007, C.W. Bill Young, tried urging congress to stop funding 1.19 billion for funding for 20 F-22A fighter jets. This was so expensive they wouldn't spend it all in one year. They want to stop funding for the F-22A fighter jets because of high cost and its "out of date." When its the newest and most technological fighter jet so far. Supposedly the F-22 will only be stop being flown, when pigs can fly.
ReplyDelete-Brandon Koster Hour:4
In 2007, Barbara Mikulki spent 209.9 million dollars on cold weather clothing systems and facilities. If they are that cold they should make better heating systems to keep us nice a warm. So we can stay warm and still be in comfy clothes.
ReplyDelete-Lucky Sobin Hour:4
In 2010, senate CJS subcommittee member Judd Gregg and senator Jeanne Shaheen spent 825,000 dollars for the Commercial Fisherman Sustainability Intivative. According to Shaheen the money will be used by more then 300 of New Hampshires commercial and lobster fisherman to replace floating groundlines with sinking groundlines so no wildlife will get entangled.
ReplyDelete-Cody Pape Hour:4
In 2009, Senator Thad Cochran (Mississippi)spent $139,00 for the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. The point of the ISSC, which was founded in 1982 is to make sure everyone knows how to properly clean shellfish. According to the website, the ISSC "fosters and promotes shellfish sanitation through the cooperation of state and federal control agencies, the shellfish industry, and the academic community".
ReplyDelete-Susan Hansen Hour: 2
In 2010 Tom Harkin a Democrate from Iowa approprated $1,791,000 to help study the smell of pig crap and how to make it smell better. The official explaination was to “generate and integrate knowledge for evaluation and development of new management practices that minimize nutrient excretion, malodorous emissions, and the release of pathogens into the environment as well as have a positive impact on animal health.” Although the Senetor has many hog farmers in his area he also had many mad voters who made a stink!
ReplyDeleteIn 2009, representative Howard Berman a democrat from California spent $200,000 on tattoo removal violence prevention program in Mission Hills. Why should we pay money to remove a tatoo that shouldn't have been put on in the first place. If they can pay for a tatoo, they can pay for the removel. Better yet, cover it up with a patch.
ReplyDelete- Abby Devine hour 4
A democrat from South Carolina, Senate Subcommittee Chairman Ernest Hollings, spent $5,828,000 in 1994. The money was split between recreational fishery monitoring programs, fisheries biotechnology, fish laboratory repair, a grant to the Catawba Indian Tribe, and wetland management demonstration project. It’s funny how we can spend this much money on fish, but we can’t seem to keep criminals off the streets.
ReplyDelete-Mike Schroeder Hour 1
In 2008, Representative Gary Ackerman expands the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, New York. The museum has a fund balance of $6.9 million, and brags that it “… combines the dynamic imagery of a museum setting, with an historic mansion and the natural beauty of incredible gardens”(Williams). The website also details accounts of recent exhibits featuring works by famous impressionists Degas, Pissarro and Renoir. Taxpayers are starting to get the impression that their hard-earned dollars are being abused.
ReplyDelete-Jamie Schacht Hour 1
Not that long ago on April 18th Congress had given $11 billion to help stop thousands of post offices from closing because there "had been money drawn from “overpayments” made in previous years to a retirement fun." The goverment should realize with todays technology, post offices are going to continue to loose money and usage is going to eventually come to a complete halt. They should either start coming up with new forms of a more technological post office for those of us who can't afford to have access to email and other means at home or start to allow the offices that aren't being used to close down.
ReplyDeleteAustin Minea, Hour 1
In 2008 and 2009, Former Senator Arlen Spector, a democrat from Pennsylvania, appropriated $1.4 million for abstinence education. The money was accumulated over a total of 47 earmarks across the state of Pennsylvania. Money may not be able to buy love, but Former Senator Spector seems to think that money can prevent it.
ReplyDelete-- Nate Croatt, Hr. 2
In 2009, Senate Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl from Wisconsin, recieved $400,00 for the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. One of their projects includes plans to promote "Slow Food", as an answer to fast food. Regardless of all the money being thrown around to help promote this idea, I don't think MCD is going anywhere soon..
ReplyDelete-Linda Krompicha: Hr. 2
In April 2011 Rep. Sander Levin got $255 million for the contuinued upgrade of M1 Abrams tank even though the DOD suggested that the tank's production be supspended until 2017. He claims that the continued funding for the M1 “is an important victory for Michigan and the nation. The tank upgrade program is critical to ensuring our troops are protected on the battlefield and vital to southeast Michigan’s defense corridor.” Wooo hooo gooo Michigan! And apparently 135 Represenatives support this because they all singed a letter for support of the upgrades.
ReplyDelete-Nicole Peloquin hr 1
In 2009 Thad Cochran and Sen. Roger Wicker appropriated $500,000 to build beach park promenade in Pascagoula so that more people can go to the beach. Even though the population of 23,609 that live there will most likely go there possible we can start having spring break down there! WOOOOO PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete-Andrew Smidt Hr. 2
*Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker are both Representative of Mississippi
Delete-Andrew Smidt Hr. 2
In 2012, Representative Frank Wolf(R) from Virginia appropriated a bill that gives $10,000,000 to Salmon Management Activities Hatcheries. In the current debt it is a little fishy to spend that much money on salmon.
ReplyDelete-Zach Petersen hr 2
In April 2011, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina tried to secure $40,000 for a study on deepening the Port of Charleston from 47 ft to 50 ft. This is for a STUDY, not the actual deepening of the port. This country is already nearly $16 trillion in debt and going out and learning about $40,000 dollar holes isn't goin to help.
ReplyDelete-Aaron Herman HR 4
In 2010, Democratic Representative of Hawaii, Mazie Hirono,spent $100,000 for a rainfall analysis in Hawaii. Analyzing the state's rainfall is a great way to pour away taxpayer's money on a useless study.
ReplyDelete-Jared Kristo, Hour 1
On September 30, 2009 senator Jon Tester and Max Baucus both from Montana propose a $9,500,000 project for a Hypersonic Wind Tunnel. The air force laeder of hypersonic testing showed no interest in the project, so they moved the project to the army who also had no interest in the wind tunnel, and to date has no plans to fund the project. still congress has poured more than $70 million into this pointless project with no returns. This is exactly what our country needs to quit doing because pointless projects and ideas like this just make us go into debt just that much faster.
ReplyDelete-Kyle Zigan Hr.1
On March 13, 2012 John McCain proposed a 120,000,000 loan to research ways to come up with alternative alternative energy. This seemed odd because the the previous year the same department spent 400 per gallon on 20,000 gallons of algaie based fule, almost bringing bankruptcy upon them.
ReplyDelete-Teddy Folkerts Hr. 1
In 2006, Representative David price, a Democrat from North Carolina, requested a $750,000 federal earmark that would help pay for electronic arrival-time signs. The project's total cost would be about $950,000 for 14 bus stops which would average out to be about $67,857 per sign. That'd be a sure way to electrocute tax payers' savings!
ReplyDelete-Megan Haynes hr. 4
In march of 2012 Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John McCain, attempted to start a 120,000,000 project fot the Navy to devolope biofuels. They projects main purpose was to find other sources of energy. There was a apparent misuse of power, which upsetted House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes when he said You’re not the secretary of Energy. You’re the secretary of the Navy.” Looks like somebody should tell McCain he lost the last election.
ReplyDelete-Malcolm Wallaker Hr.1
IN 2006 Senator Barbara Mikulski (Maryland), and representative Steny Hoyer (Maryland), were appropriated $102,000,000. Most of that money went towards technological-based programs throughout Maryland; including the $9,500,000 that went towards Extended ColdWeather CLothing Systems. Good thing millions of dollars were put towards cold-gear for the winter, because everyone just "loves" the cold.
ReplyDelete-Kadri Plott Hr. 4
On March 4 , 2011, Congress man David SchWeikrt wanted to pass the idea of having coins replace most of our currency. He had come to the conclusion that replacing the dollar bill for a dollar coin that it wold save each American about $184 million annually and 5.5 billion over the next 30 years.
ReplyDelete-Jonathan Quirarte Hr.1
Judd Gregg, a senator from New Hampshire, got $1,000,000 for repairs, restoration, modernization of a theater, and construction of an additional space at the Portsmouth Music Hall. The Portsmouth Music Hall has been renovated by taxpayers before as well. In 2004, Judd Gregg got $400,000 to go the the hall. So total, the Portsmouth Music Hall has used up $1,400,000 taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDelete-Tanner Nimke Hour 2
In 2010, Senate THUD Appropriations Subcommittee member Dianne Feinstein (Democratic Party from California) established a project to serving a facilitate transportation to the state and spent more than $30 million. According to the Orange County Register article, “The California state would act as a regional hub for rail, bus, taxi and trolley service.” The California State has previously spent quite bit more than it needed. The Cali life won’t end without it. After all, it’s our money.
ReplyDeleteKaran Lineswala, Hr. 4
In 2008 Alabama Representative Robert Aderholt and Senator Richard Shelby proposed that the city of Hartselle, Alabama should get $250,000 for a wireless network. In this city, its population is only 13,888. That's less than the population of Winona, and Winona is a pretty small city. -Jon Machutt Hour 2
ReplyDeleteIn 2009, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) Spend $303,000 for wild rice in St. Paul.They are hoping to increase the grain production by earmarked more money into wild rice industry. -Sid Desai Hour 1
ReplyDeleteIn 2008, Harold Rogers (R-KY) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) earmarked $4.8 million to be put towards funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ODNCP). These earkmarks are not new, and each year bits of the budget are put towards ODNCP and the high intensity drug trafficking areas program (HIDTA). Since 1997, $128 million of taxpayer money has gone to these programs and groups and still, drug use has even increased across the country. And our obsession with waging wars on nouns continues...
ReplyDeleteMikayla Lanier, Hour 4.
In 2011 taxpayers continue to empty their wallets spending $27.1 million appropriations to prevent teenage drug use. According to Richard Kerlikowske in 2010, he stated that, “In the grand scheme, it has not been successful. Forty years later, the concern about drugs and drug problems is, if anything, magnified, intensified.” Even though the claims state that there is not an improvement of high intensity drug trafficking, some politicians think that they can prevent the drug use among teens even though it has increased in the last three years. In 2008-2009, Senate Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) spent $4.8 million. In addition, the state senators of Tennessee spent $12 million between 2008 and 2010. The teenagers who these spendings were aimed for probably have no clue on the amount of money spent to prevent them from use drugs that we all know they will continue to use.
ReplyDeleteJulie Thelen
Hour 1
In 2004 $14,000,000 was appropriated to the Senate Defense subcommittee member, Pete Domenici (New Mexico). $10,500,000 of the $14,000,000 went towards the Magdalena Ridge Observatory. The bad part is that we already have enough observatories located near New Mexico and it was not necessary at all for building at the time. Good thing we wasted $10 million dollars on a big telescope.
ReplyDeleteKadri Plott
Hour 4
In 2008, Maine Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, republicans, and Representative Thomas Allen, democrat, spent $188,000 for the Lobster Institute. I didn't know so much money went to one place for one animal. The lobster must be pretty good!
ReplyDeleteMegan Byrne
Hour 1
In 2009, eight projects by the 2009 Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Larry Craig from Idaho spent $16,000,000 of our taxpayer’s money. He spent this money on many different projects including; $2,000,000 for the Henry Lake; $350,000 for the Minidoka National Historic Site; and $250,000 for the Idaho Sage Grouse. The benefits from these projects were well stocked lakes. So I guess if you like fishing go to Henrys Lake and see the fly fish that are apparently worth millions.
ReplyDelete-Leah Fitzpatrick
In 2008, Jose Serrano (New York) from the Homeland Security used $150,000 on a mission to improve the economic and social well-being of peopl, families and communities who are most in need. This was a brilliant plan sense it has everything to do with protecting the country from natural disasters or the threat of terrorism... not!!
ReplyDelete-Brock Stevens, Hour 1
In 2009 Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman: Daniel Inouye spend $190,000,000 for 33 projects. That includes: $23,000,000 for the Hawaii Federal Healthcare Network, $9,900,000 for the U.S.S. Missouri which the costs is $16 for an adult to tour receives 100,000 annual visitor, and $3,600,000 for intelligent decision exploration. I just think that this is something every member of congress should be doing
ReplyDelete-Guicai Huang Hour 4
in 2008 House appropriator Virgil Goode of VA, spent $98,000 for a walking tour of Boydton, VA...a town of only 474 people covering .82 miles [not even a full mile]. Unless the goode people of Boydton know some secret to the universe, or have the cure for cancer, no one ever needs to go there.
ReplyDelete-Ali Mohamed 4