Posted on 02/02/2011 9:43:14 AM PST by Species8472
Both of Alaska's senators said Tuesday they were disappointed the top Senate appropriator was calling for a moratorium on earmarking, the practice that has directed billions of dollars in federal spending to Alaska.
Democratic Sen. Mark Begich and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski both said they agree there's a need to cut federal spending, but neither thinks an end to earmarks is the way to do it.
"I have said many times before, Alaska is a young state with many needs, and we deserve our fair share of federal funding to develop our resources and our infrastructure," Begich said.
Murkowksi, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she believes it's up to Congress to determine spending. By leaving the executive branch to determine such appropriations, they're ceding power to the White House, she said.
"We are in essence abdicating our constitutional duties, giving cabinet departments and federal agencies the sole power, authority and ability to target and spend taxpayers’ money," she said.
The delegation landed $227 million in earmarks in 2009, compared to $87 million in 2010, according to the nonpartisan budget watchdogs at Taxpayers for Common Sense. Alaska went from No. 1 per capita to No. 6.
(Excerpt) Read more at community.adn.com ...
roflol. may the earmark ban bite deep into her power.
It must be so embarassing that a state that prides itself on being so “independent” has its entire congressional delegation trolling for more money from the other 49 states.
Too bad for Alaska. Maybe now they can use some of the oil revenue and negative state income taxes to pay for it themselves.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think not ! Does she represent the Republican Party ?
Like the Westboro Baptist Church represents Baptists. It seems that anybody can call themselves anything they like.
I'm a billionaire by the way.
Yeah, didn’t she runned as an INDEPENDENT after the Republican primary voters kicked her to the curb! I can’t wait to watch this witch lose is 2016. Even if she pulls out the primary, not a chance in heck she wins in the general. Atleast 1/2 of the Republican party will vote for her under no circumstances, and the Democrats who crossed over to save her in 2010 will vote for the Rat candidate in 2016.
(we deserve our fair share of federal funding to )
HEY ASSCLOWN..
The Federal Government HAS NO MONEY. It is almost 15 TRILLION dollars in DEBT!
Every cent you get from the Federal Government comes from a taxpaying citizen in the other 49 States.
What about all the oil royalties that are given to every person in Alaska for doing nothing. Take that money which is basically welfare and put it towards your needs. Done.
You're right - you do deserve your fair share of federal funding.
Your fair share of federal funding is the same as every other state's fair share of federal funding - "NOT ONE RED CENT".
Murkowski is on record saying the American people don’t care how much congress spends, only how they spend the money.
Murkowski is on record saying the American people don’t care how much congress spends, only how they spend the money.
Thank you Alaskans for writing in mispelled votes to get this pathetic piece reelected.
Murkowski is on record saying the American people don’t care how much congress spends, only how they spend the money.
Thank you Alaskans for writing in mispelled votes to get this pathetic piece reelected.
Psst! Drill and sell your oil.
You won’t need federal subsidy.
That, in a nutshell, is the attitude of way too many Americans. Sure, cut spending, but give me my "fair share." That is why we were in the crisis we are in. If a majority of voters actually wanted deep spending cuts, Begich, Murkowski and pretty much every other Senator would vote for them. But the majority of voters don't really want cuts. They want their "fair share," which means keep the spending spigot open for ME.
“I have said many times before, Alaska is a young state with many needs, and we deserve our fair share of federal funding to develop our resources and our infrastructure,” Begich said.
One of those needs is a coupla conservative Senators.
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