Key lawmakers say earmark process wastes taxpayer money
WASHINGTON - Arizona has some powerful lawmakers in Washington, including Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
But when it comes to pork-barrel spending, otherwise known as earmarks, the state isn't very powerful. In fact, it ranks last.
That's mostly because three of the state's 10 lawmakers in Washington, McCain and House Republicans Jeff Flake and John Shadegg, refuse to ask for any federal money for local projects.
Another Arizona Republican, Sen. Jon Kyl, strictly limits his earmark requests. They all say the earmark process wastes taxpayer money and desperately needs reform. But other Arizona lawmakers counter that their colleagues' stance hurts the state.
The Arizona democrat Congressman however are a totally different story:
Grijalva earmarks more than double to $474M
By Erica Meltzer
Arizona Daily Star
U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva is requesting $474 million in federal earmarks this year, with the reconfiguration of the Nogales West-Mariposa Port of Entry topping the list at $174 million.
Griijalva released his federal earmark requests Friday, a day after fellow Democrat, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, made public a list that totaled $120 million.
Last year, Grijalva requested $178 million in earmarks and Giffords $327 million. Out of both requests, Southern Arizona walked away with $37 million in projects.
(NOTE: Is this what CD-8 Voters wanted when they elected Gabby Giffords in 2006? I think NOT)
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