Earmark ban won’t end local spending requests

Earmark ban won’t end local spending requests

WASHINGTON — The prospect of no more directed congressional spending for pet local projects — known as earmarks — will have little effect on whether such projects get funded but will likely drive the process back behind closed doors, experts say.

But if a ban were actually to be effective, the Mid-South is likely to take a disproportionately large hit.

And veteran lawmakers, like U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., contend a moratorium on earmarks is the wrong way to curb federal spending.

Commercial Appeal
11/21/10