Holden's Earmarks Target Re-election, Not District Needs
by Holden Watch
If you think that congressional earmarks aren't about a member's re-election, think about this:
In the December, 2007 Omnibus Appropriations Bill for FY 2008 there were 696 pages of congressional earmark projects totaling $5.7 billion - about $18 for every man, woman and child in the US. $18 for each of us. It doesn't sound so bad when you put it that way.
Those of us here in PA District 17 didn't do quite that well.
In the bill, local congressman, Tim Holden, earmarked about $2.5 million. That's less than $4 for every resident of his district, roughly 20% of what the earmarks in the bill cost each of us - a lousy return on our tax investment. But he did cover the critical needs of the district provided one agreed with Holden that the district's most critical need was his re-election.
Here's where things get interesting. Holden knew who his November, 2008, opponent would be in summer of 2007, when newly-announced GOP candidate Toni Gilhooley's biography revealed her to be a 25-year retired veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police - a female pioneer in that elite organization - who grew up in Steelton, PA.
The following earmarks in the Omnibus Bill were no surprise to those who observe Tim Holden:
* Labor/HHS/Education IMLS, PA State Police Museum, for exhibits & educational materials $146,000
* DOJ COPS Tech, Steelton Police Defense & Enforcement Initiative $155,100
Ms. Gilhooley is also engaged with local domestic violence organizations as an outgrowth of her police work; and she is a successful, nationally-certified expert who conducts training for police forces and other organizations on domestic violence, among other issues. Considering the Omnibus earmarks, the following Tim Holden Commerce, Justice, Science 2008 earmark, announced prior to the election, for the 2009 fiscal year budget also came as no surprise:
* DOJ OJP - Byrne Discretionary Grants Deterring Domestic Violence & Limiting its long Term Impact on Survivors Schuylkill Women in Crisis (CWIC) Pottsville, PA $100,000
It's a perfect Trifecta for an insecure politician trying to buy all the votes and good will he can - pretty transparent, too. These earmarks cost taxpayers about $400,000 just to neutralize his opponent's resume. Holden's re-election war chest grew by $400,000 taxpayer dollars he never reported to the Federal Election Commission.
This is how small-time Congressional back-benchers like Tim Holden spend our taxpayer money for their own benefit. District concerns are secondary to Holden's need for job security.
District voters would do well to stop this technically legal but ethically-questionable behavior by replacing Holden in 2010.