Former lawmakers' earmarks keep pet projects alive

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-04-earmarks_N.htm


WASHINGTON — A $410 billion bill that would keep the government running through September directs $227 million to pet projects for former lawmakers, including an ex-congressman facing corruption charges, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The short-term budget, which Congress failed to complete last year and is now headed to a Senate vote this week, includes seven projects worth $1.2 million for Rick Renzi, a former Republican congressman indicted in 2008 on charges stemming from a land deal in Arizona. It also includes $1 million in projects requested by former senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, arrested in 2007 as part of a sex sting.

There are 458 projects requested solely by former lawmakers, the analysis shows. Most were Republicans because the party suffered big losses in November. Among the Democrats: former representative Hilda Solis, Obama's Labor secretary, who was the sole sponsor of $2.5 million in projects.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-04-earmarks_N.htm


The link provides the entire list of 'earmarks' from former members.