Congressional earmarks sometimes used to fund projects near lawmakers' properties

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Congressional earmarks sometimes used to fund projects near lawmakers' properties
http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2012/01/12/gIQA97HGvQ_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

AU.S. senator from Alabama directed more than $100 million in federal earmarks to renovate downtown Tuscaloosa near his own commercial office building. A congressman from Georgia secured $6.3 million in taxpayer funds to replenish the beach about 900 feet from his island vacation cottage. A representative from Michigan earmarked $486,000 to add a bike lane to a bridge within walking distance of her home.

Thirty-three members of Congress have steered more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation.

Under the ethics rules Congress has written for itself, this is both legal and undisclosed.

The Post analyzed public records on the holdings of all 535 members and compared them with earmarks members had sought for pet projects, most of them since 2008. The process uncovered appropriations for work in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members. The review also found 16 lawmakers who sent tax dollars to companies, colleges or community programs where their spouses, children or parents work as salaried employees or serve on boards.


Report: Lawmakers Steered Earmarks Near Their Own Properties
http://www.rollcall.com/news/report_lawmakers_steered_earmarks_near_their_own_properties-212167-1.html

A massive investigative report by the Washington Post posted online this evening will keep the spotlight on earmarks and insider trading in the days to come.

According to the Post, 33 Members of Congress steered more than $300 million in earmarks and other targeted spending to public projects within two miles of land they owned.

For example, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett has secured $4.5 million to upgrade a highway interchange that serves his 104-acre farm and other rental properties he owns.

The Maryland Republican and other lawmakers deny they pushed the projects for personal gain, but the report comes at a time when confidence in Congress is at an all-time low, according to pollsters.