By Adam Andrzejewski
CEO/founder, OpenTheBooks.com
Exclusive to KSNV NBC3 – Las Vegas, Nevada
This week, Congress is voting on another enormous “omnibus” spending bill – a catch-all bill designed to keep the government funded without going through the normal budget process.
Unfortunately for taxpayers, both parties are up to their old tricks: the $1.7 trillion bill is stuffed with 7,510 earmarks costing taxpayers $16 billion for pet projects. This pork was requested by lawmakers for projects in their districts or across the state.
Our former Honorary Chairman of OpenTheBooks, U.S. Senator Dr. Tom Coburn said it best: “Earmarks are the gateway drug to runaway spending bills.”
Earmarks are the currency of corruption in Congress. It’s a legal bribe meant to twist arms and get members of Congress to vote for massive spending bills.
Local projects of merit should be funded locally and not through the federal government or congressional appropriation. Why should taxpayers in Alabama fund projects in Nevada?
So, it’s time to follow the money. Our auditors mapped the 7,510 earmarks in the legislation by state. Click here to see our OpenTheBooks interactive map: who requested how much money for what project in your state or locality.
Nevada will receive $206 million from 114 earmarked projects.
Who were the biggest champions of earmarks in Nevada? U.S. Sens. Rosen and Cortez Masto requested over half the Nevada earmarks: $108.8 million.
EXAMPLES: 10 earmarks for local projects
|
Recipient
|
Project
|
Amount
|
Requestor(s)
|
Party
|
|
City of Las Vegas
|
Stewart Avenue Complete Streets
|
$3,000,000
|
Titus
|
D
|
|
Clark County
|
Clark County Jewish Family Services Agency Renovations.
|
$2,555,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
Storey County
|
Lockwood Senior Center
|
$2,500,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
|
Standalone Solar Lighting for 500 Transit Stops
|
$1,960,000
|
Titus
|
D
|
| |
Lincoln County Power District—Solar; Lincoln County Power District
|
$1,750,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
County of Clark, Las Vegas, NV for facilities and equipment
|
County of Clark, Las Vegas, NV for facilities and equipment
|
$1,600,000
|
Titus
|
D
|
|
Lander County Convention & Tourism Authority
|
Lander County Convention & Tourism Authority—
|
$1,000,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
City of Reno
|
Rooftop Solar at the Moana Aquatics & Fitness Center.
|
$800,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
Lander County
|
Lander County Community Center
|
$638,000
|
Cortez Masto, Rosen
|
D
|
|
City of Boulder City, Nevada
|
Boulder City Police Department Patrol Fleet
|
$400,000
|
Lee (NV)
|
D
|
Source: U.S. House and U.S. Senate Disclosures
CHART: Top Members of Nevada Congressional Delegation Requesting Earmarks
Source: U.S. House and U.S. Senate Disclosures
Bringing back earmarks was the equivalent of bringing back the swine flu.
We have to hold the political class accountable for their tax-and-spend decisions, and it will take widespread action from taxpayers to put an end to the earmarks addiction once and for all.
Too often, politicians only break bad habits when they are caught in the act and exposed.
Now, we can do it right from our computers.
It’s time to tell Congress: get back to normal budgeting, not temporary bills stuffed with special favors.
Learn more at OpenTheBooks.com.
Background
EXAMPLES: REP. AMODEI (R)
|
Recipient
|
Project
|
Amount
|
Requestor(s)
|
Party
|
|
City of Fallon Wastewater Treatment Plant Dewatering Press
|
City of Fallon Wastewater Treatment Plant Dewatering Press
|
$4,369,600
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Churchill County
|
Moody Lane/Coleman Road Connector Construction
|
$4,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC Washoe)
|
Lemmon Drive Reconstruction
|
$4,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA)
|
Reno Airport (RNO) Terminal Road Improvements
|
$3,589,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Truckee Meadows Water Authority Spanish Springs Nitrate and Arsenic Treatment Plant
|
Truckee Meadows Water Authority Spanish Springs Nitrate and Arsenic Treatment Plant
|
$3,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Desert Research Institute
|
Lake Tahoe Basin Instrumentation and Data Sharing
|
$2,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Northern Nevada HOPES, Reno, NV for facilities and equipment
|
Northern Nevada HOPES, Reno, NV for facilities and equipment
|
$2,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Western Nevada College, Carson City, NV for facilities and equipment
|
Western Nevada College, Carson City, NV for facilities and equipment
|
$2,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
City of Reno Booth Street Sewer Siphon
|
City of Reno Booth Street Sewer Siphon
|
$1,500,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Douglas County
|
Kahle Drive Complete Streets
|
$1,385,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Carson City Public Works
|
Appion Way Improvements
|
$1,100,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Lander County Convention & Tourism Authority
|
Lemaire Building Small Business Incubator
|
$1,000,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Great Basin College, Elko, NV for facilities and equipment
|
Great Basin College, Elko, NV for facilities and equipment
|
$940,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
New River Feeder Electrical Substation; City of Fallon, NV
|
$879,835
|
Amodei
|
R
|
|
Elko County Sheriff’s Office
|
Rapid DNA Technology
|
$486,000
|
Amodei
|
R
|