State’s earmarks are very well spent

The Hattiesburg American Editorial, 11/23/8

Critics call it pork barrel politics when members of Congress send federal dollars back home for pet projects. And when the money is used to study the mating habits of some obscure animal, there may be good reason to call it pork.

But the preferred term for federal money used for important projects is earmark.

Mississippi for years has gotten its share of money earmarked for various projects.

A good example is the money being spent on The Garden, the University of Southern Mississippi’s innovation and commercialization park at what used to be the Van Hook Golf Course. The project has brought in more than $31 million in earmarks.

It’s money well spent.