An editorial from the Northwest Indiana Times
EDITORIAL: Visclosky makes silk purse out of congressional earmarks
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 12:11 AM CSTPost a Comment | Email this story | Print this story
Congressional earmarks have been given a bad rap because of projects like the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska that would help fewer than 9,000 people — but at a federal cost of $320 million.
But not all earmarks are bad.
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., is one of the biggest dippers into the pork barrel. He is ranked No. 6 in the House in terms of congressional earmarks.
Visclosky's response to criticism of his earmark largesse is right on target: "I feel it's my job, every morning I get up, to return to the taxpayers of Northwest Indiana as much of those monies as possible that they have paid in to their federal government."
Earmarks percolate from ideas generated by local people.
"Every year, the office is inundated with requests," Visclosky spokesman Justin Kitsch said. "The need for funding is great in Northwest Indiana, and these municipalities and organizations are beating down our door. These requests fall in line with Visclosky's philosophy as a legislator — that not every good idea comes from a Washington, D.C., bureaucrat."
Among the highlights lately:
* $6.9 million for construction of the Purdue Technology Center in Merrillville and $2.2 million for expansion pending for 2008.
* $18 million pending for fiscal year 2008 for Indiana Harbor Ship Canal dredging. This is one of less than a dozen projects in the United States with full federal funding, meaning no local match is required.
* $119 million to date for the Lake Calumet River flood control project, with $15 million pending in 2008. This project is helping remove homes and businesses from the flood plain.
* $6 million to develop a science-driving computation grid that enables cutting-edge scientific research. It is a joint effort between Purdue University Calumet, Purdue, Notre Dame and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.
* $5 million for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's capital improvement plan for South Shore commuter rail service.
* $3 million annually for the Lake County High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.
* $2 million for Munster to build a methane gas cogeneration plant, turning waste gases from the landfill into electricity.
While it's true that some of the people and groups that have benefited from these earmarks have donated to Visclosky's campaign, this is hardly wasteful spending. None is like Sen. Ted Stevens' infamous "Bridge to Nowhere."
What Visclosky is doing for Northwest Indiana is simply to bring home the bacon for worthwhile projects in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere.
Your opinion, please
Has U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., used earmarks responsibly?
Share your thoughts at http://nwi.com/opinion
Your opinion, please
Has U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., used earmarks responsibly?
Share your thoughts at nwi.com/opinion.
But not all earmarks are bad.
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., is one of the biggest dippers into the pork barrel. He is ranked No. 6 in the House in terms of congressional earmarks.
Visclosky's response to criticism of his earmark largesse is right on target: "I feel it's my job, every morning I get up, to return to the taxpayers of Northwest Indiana as much of those monies as possible that they have paid in to their federal government."
Earmarks percolate from ideas generated by local people.
"Every year, the office is inundated with requests," Visclosky spokesman Justin Kitsch said. "The need for funding is great in Northwest Indiana, and these municipalities and organizations are beating down our door. These requests fall in line with Visclosky's philosophy as a legislator — that not every good idea comes from a Washington, D.C., bureaucrat."
Among the highlights lately:
* $6.9 million for construction of the Purdue Technology Center in Merrillville and $2.2 million for expansion pending for 2008.
* $18 million pending for fiscal year 2008 for Indiana Harbor Ship Canal dredging. This is one of less than a dozen projects in the United States with full federal funding, meaning no local match is required.
* $119 million to date for the Lake Calumet River flood control project, with $15 million pending in 2008. This project is helping remove homes and businesses from the flood plain.
* $6 million to develop a science-driving computation grid that enables cutting-edge scientific research. It is a joint effort between Purdue University Calumet, Purdue, Notre Dame and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.
* $5 million for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's capital improvement plan for South Shore commuter rail service.
* $3 million annually for the Lake County High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.
* $2 million for Munster to build a methane gas cogeneration plant, turning waste gases from the landfill into electricity.
While it's true that some of the people and groups that have benefited from these earmarks have donated to Visclosky's campaign, this is hardly wasteful spending. None is like Sen. Ted Stevens' infamous "Bridge to Nowhere."
What Visclosky is doing for Northwest Indiana is simply to bring home the bacon for worthwhile projects in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere.
Your opinion, please
Has U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., used earmarks responsibly?
Share your thoughts at http://nwi.com/opinion
Your opinion, please
Has U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., used earmarks responsibly?
Share your thoughts at nwi.com/opinion.
Posted by ch at November 14, 2007 
Categories: Federal earmarks, Politics, Ethics, ALNAC, Jerry Weller
Categories: Federal earmarks, Politics, Ethics, ALNAC, Jerry Weller
Rep. Viscloskey's earmarks are for good and decent projects that will help the citizens of Indiana and its visitors.
This is very different than Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. asking for $231,000 for the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission, Jackson's own self-appointed airport authority that he wants to govern an airport that does not exist; in a congressional district that isn't even his; and is headed by his own staff member.
Furthermore, when Jackson tried to defend this earmark, he stood on the floor of the House and said "Ford Heights abuts the airport." Not true! Ford Heights is one of the poorest communities in Jackson's district and is more than 20 miles away in another county, from the PROPOSED Peotone airport. (See June 28 story in chblog - Rep. Jesse Jackson needs a geography lesson at: http://chblog.ozarkattitude.com/2007/06/28/rep-jesse-jackson-needs-a-geography-lesson.aspx#comment-583405)
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I agree Pete Visclosky is... [bringing] home the bacon for worthwhile projects in Northwest Indiana..." On the other hand, Jesse, Jr., is simply bringing home the bacon for his PERSONAL project worthy only to his employees & so. suburban pals. Its nauseating that Jackson & IDOT have allowed the "no federal funding" third airport, which a majority of EWC residents do not want, to enter its 40th anniversary in 2008. We do not need this Son of Mid-America.
W.
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