Feinstein secures $1.1B for ‘pet projects’ after death
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Secured $1.1 Billion in Earmarks for “Pet Projects” in California
The late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away last year, was able to secure an impressive $1.1 billion in earmarks, also known as community project funding. These earmarks direct federal dollars to specific projects in members’ home states and districts, often referred to as “pet projects.”
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Feinstein submitted 265 projects to direct federal funding to California. These projects were included in a package of six government funding bills recently unveiled by congressional leaders.
The range of earmarks is extensive, covering everything from fire station repairs to construction projects and grant programs. Each project receives thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars in funding.
Expensive Projects and Military Construction
One of the most costly requests from Feinstein was in the Energy and Water Development Bill, allocating $194 million for emergency repairs in Santa Cruz, carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers. Feinstein submitted a certification letter for this project on March 30, 2023.
Many of the high-priced projects are related to military construction. For example, Feinstein advocated for a $66 million project at Fort Irwin to construct an Army barracks. Another project, with $55 million in funding, aims to provide the Army Reserve with a 1,300-member Army Reserve Center in Bell, California, on federally owned land at Patton Hall.
In some cases, bipartisan efforts were made to secure projects. Feinstein collaborated with Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) to secure $731,000 in funding for a nonprofit group in Orange County, aiming to strengthen human trafficking collaboration for victims in the criminal justice system. Another joint project by Feinstein, Sen. Alex Padilla (R-CA), and Kim would direct $3,400,000 to Orange County for an Opioid Prevention Plan.
“Despite our policy differences, I respect Sen. Feinstein’s service to our state and willingness to work across the aisle to get several vital local projects for my district across the finish line,” said Kim in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
The Return of Earmarks and Republican Concerns
In 2021, Democrats ended a 10-year moratorium on earmarks, allowing their inclusion in spending bills. House Republicans voted in December 2022 to keep earmarks, which was seen as a defeat for conservatives aiming to control spending on “pork.” Republicans had previously banned earmarks when they gained control of the House in 2010.
While some Senate Republicans initially voted for a one-week extension, concerns arose after the release of the new bill. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed his grievances on X (formerly known as Twitter), accusing Democrats of using taxpayer funds for “woke” projects.
“Schumer just released the text for the first six spending bills we’re supposed to vote on this week that includes 605 PAGES OF EARMARKS,” Scott stated. ”One example? Schumer’s $1 MILLION ask to build a new environmental justice center in NYC…”
Scott also highlighted a request from Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for $963,000 for the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, aiming to help children and adolescents who have experienced abuse or witnessed sexual violence.
However, there are defenders of including Feinstein’s projects in the funding bills. A Democratic aide explained that directed funding serves to meet important needs in local communities. Carefully vetted projects, even if submitted by a deceased Senator or Representative, would be assessed on their own merits.
Lawmakers aim to pass the package of six funding bills through both chambers this week, but the limited time window poses a challenge. With the House and Senate returning on Tuesday and President Joe Biden delivering the State of the Union address on Thursday evening, there is little time left. The remaining bills to fund the rest of the government must be passed by March 22.
Statement. “These projects will have a positive impact on our community and help address important needs.
In what ways will these projects directly address the specific needs of our community and what measurable outcomes are anticipated as a result
There are several ways in which these projects will directly address the specific needs of our community:
1. Improved infrastructure: One of the projects focuses on enhancing the infrastructure, such as building new roads and bridges, to address the growing transportation needs in our community. This will alleviate traffic congestion and provide better connectivity, improving the overall quality of life for residents.
2. Enhanced healthcare services: Another project aims to establish a healthcare center in an underserved area of our community. This will provide easy access to healthcare services for residents who previously had limited options. As a result, the community’s health outcomes are expected to improve, with reduced morbidity and mortality rates.
3. Increased educational opportunities: One of the projects focuses on expanding educational facilities and programs in our community. This will enable more students to access quality education, leading to increased literacy rates and improved academic outcomes. It will also provide opportunities for skill development, equipping individuals with the necessary tools for better employment prospects.
4. Economic development and job creation: Some projects are designed to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities within the community. Investment in industries such as tourism, agriculture, or manufacturing can attract businesses and generate jobs for residents. This will contribute to reduced unemployment rates and improved economic conditions.
The anticipated measurable outcomes of these projects may include:
– Reduced commute time and decreased traffic congestion by X%.
– Increase in the number of patients served at the healthcare center by X% within the first year.
- Improvement in health indicators, such as reduced infant mortality rate by X% or decreased hospital readmission rates.
– Increase in the number of students enrolled in educational programs by X% at the targeted facilities.
– Improvement in academic performance, measured by higher graduation rates or increased test scores.
– Increase in the number of businesses established and jobs created by X% within a specified timeframe.
- Boost in local GDP and overall economic growth by X%.
These measurable outcomes will help assess the effectiveness and success of the projects in meeting the specific needs of our community.
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