$1.7 Billion in Earmarks Requested for RI
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation requested as much as $1.7 billion in federal earmarks for cities, communities, and other organizations across the state for the 2011 fiscal year, according to data obtained by GoLocalProv.
The earmarked funding ranks as the fifth highest request per capita, coming out to $1,702.80 per resident. Those states leading the pack are: North Dakota, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Arkansas. The next closest New England state is Maine, which is seeking more than $1.4 billion or $1,136.50 per resident, according to a database compiled by three national taxpayer advocates. (See below chart.)
The earmarks—sometimes referred to disparagingly as “pork barrel” spending—are included in the federal budget for 2011 which is still being debated by Congress.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe requested earmarks far exceed what the Ocean State received in 2010—which was $83.3 million—and come at a time when earmarks are coming under fire from Republicans who have promised to abolish them when they assume control of the U.S. House next month and tackle the budget for 2012. (Click here to read the previous GoLocalProv report on how an earmarks ban or reduction could affect Rhode Island.)
A review of the requested earmarks shows that a wide variety of organizations in Rhode Island could benefit—charities and other nonprofits, cities and towns, and a number of universities and colleges. The earmarks would go towards everything from designing a new sewer system in Tiverton and replacing the Interstate 95 bridge over Pawtucket to developing new technologies for aquaculture at the University of Rhode Island and researching new ways to reduce carbon emissions at Brown University, according to a listing on Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s Web site.
Several of the organizations seeking earmarked funding told GoLocalProv that they viewed it as an additional source of money they turned to either because of the recession or due to other limitations they faced. All described the funding as vitally important.
In Pawtucket, the Boys and Girls Club is hoping to receive $2 million for a new gym and wellness center. CEO Jim Hoyt said a denial of the request would force the organization to reconsider the project. “If we didn’t get it, we’d certainly have to step back and look at our plan,” Hoyt said. “We’d have to rethink the entire project.”
Special Olympics Rhode Island is seeking a $250,000 earmark for its annual summer games. Executive Director Dennis DeJesus said his organization sought federal help after revenue from donations and sponsorships dried up. Asked why he sought an earmark rather than another form a federal funding, DeJesus said he had approached Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s office for help and relied on the advice of his staff. With or without the federal earmark, DeJesus said the summer games would go on. “We’ll work hard to make up the funding as best we can,” DeJesus said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure the event goes off and to find the sponsorships to make it happen.”
The state chapter of the Nature Conservancy requested an approximately $500,000 earmark to cover the cost of the proposed 2.7-mile Dundery Brook Greenway Trail in Little Compton. The trail is part of a broader $4 million campaign to preserve 1,100 acres in that town and in Tiverton. The idea of the trail came up after the campaign launched, causing the Nature Conservancy to seek a new source of funding, according to Pam Pomfret, a fundraising coordinator. But since the request for the earmark was made, she said the Nature Conservancy turned to private donors and grants for support and is about halfway toward raising the $485,000 necessary to build the trail.
Local government also benefits
A number of cities and towns in Rhode Island are also counting on earmarks as well. Karen Watts, a spokeswoman for Mayor David Cicilline, said the administration and department directors view earmarks as one among many potential sources of federal funding. “I think that the city explores all possible sources of not just funding but all kinds of support for our programs,” Watts told GoLocalProv. “Cities and towns that are not resourceful in that way likely suffer for that.”
Most recently, the City of Providence has requested $1.2 million for an inter-agency mobile data network, $1 million for paving and reconstruction of city streets, and $1 million for technology to analyze crime data.
Reed requests the most earmarks
Of the four members of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation, Senator Jack Reed requested the most earmarked funding—226 projects worth a total of nearly $606 million. The amounts requested by the other members were in order: $477 million by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, $399 million by Rep. Jim Langevin, and $311 million by Rep. Patrick Kennedy.
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed responds to Rhode Islanders who seek federal funds for important economic, educational, or community projects,” said spokesman Chip Unruh, who added that the Senator had also pushed for reforms in the process. “He has worked hard to make the appropriations process more transparent, increase disclosure, and regularly issues press releases outlining the federal funding he secures for the state,” Unruh said.
