Utah's share of pork aid is 18th
Report takes issue with items linked to Bennett
Utah ranked 18th in "pork per capita," six slots higher than last year, according to the report, with $97.6 million in federal spending on a variety of programs or about $39.51 per person. The national average in spending is $30.55 per person.
The group deems a program "pork" when it meets one of seven criteria, but the group says most items in the report meet at least two. The program must be requested by only one chamber of Congress, not specifically authorized, not competitively awarded, not requested by the president, "greatly exceeds" the White House's budget request or what the program has received in the past and serves only a local or special interest.
"Pork-barrel spending illustrates and contributes to the meltdown of spending restraint in Washington," CAGW President Tom Schatz said. "Instead of averting an impending fiscal crisis, members of Congress are grabbing the spoils to support their own re-election."
CAGW has done the report for 16 years and Wednesday's press conference included two live pigs and a person in a hot pink pig costume. The report names 88 items for Utah as pork.
The report points to $14.19 million for projects in Utah in the Agriculture Spending bill, including: $5 million for the Utah Conservation Initiative; $3 million for the Washington Fields project; $900,000 for botanical research; and $545,000 for advanced computing research and education.
The bill also included $300,000 for the Oquirrh Institute. CAGW's Web site says the institute's mission is to shine early light on public-policy dilemmas and establish innovative solutions. The Oquirrh Institute, headquartered in Murray, is currently involved in four areas of concentration: Moving to competency-measured education, improving environmental management, advancing health information and research and enhancing governance through technology. But the Agriculture Department says there is no completion date on the project yet.
"A total of $500 has been raised from corporations and foundations," according to the Pig Book. "Taxpayers have 'contributed' $550,000 to Oquirrh since 2004."
Jim Souby, president and CEO of the institute, said the federal government actually provides about 25 percent of $1 million it raises annually. He said the federal grant funds the institute's environmental studies, which it shares and implements with local and state government leaders.
"We would characterize the grant as a smart investment," Souby said, noting his group reports annually to the government on its use of the funding. The institute was founded by former Gov. Mike Leavitt and other former governors to address and implement solutions to long-term issues.
The Pig Book also takes issue with $1 million added by the Senate to the Defense spending bill for a competency-based distance education initiative with Western Governors University.
"A close examination of their Web site does not reveal any defense-related missions," the book said.
Bennett also sits on the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee and the Pig Book points to $13.95 million for Utah projects in the Interior spending bill, including: $4 million for the Utah Public Lands Artifact Preservation Act; $1.5 million for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail; $750,000 for the Range Creek/Rainbow Glass Ranch; $500,000 for a wastewater treatment plant in Eagle Mountain; and $300,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements for Judge Tunnel in Park City.
Bennett's spokeswoman Mary Jane Collipriest said that by criticizing funding for items like the popular Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the new Museum of Natural History at the U., "CAGW demonstrates that it's missed it again."
"Without a new museum at the U., ancient artifacts found on federal land will continue to deteriorate in the closets and filing cabinets where they're currently housed," she said. "CAGW is ignoring the tremendous cost to the government which would result in failing to protect these valuable historic items. I'm sorry someone's led them astray in their analysis and failed to provide them with complete information about these worthwhile Utah projects."
E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com
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