Money to burn: No recession for legislators' pet projects
AS THE STATE budget battle heats up in Harrisburg, taxpayers are being asked to sacrifice in one way or another. Just one thing seems to be immune from the recession: the millions of dollars used by lawmakers to support pet projects in their districts.
In the state Capitol, the cash is known as "walking-around money." But, for taxpayers, it would be better known as "walk all over us money."
According to an analysis by the Associated Press, state lawmakers handed out more than $110 million during the last six months alone. The story found that the money is essentially doled out by legislative leaders behind closed doors. The money went to build swimming pools, hospitals, museums and other items chosen by our elected officials without any legislative review. These grants help legislators build political capital when they deliver the big checks in front of news cameras.
Of course, much of this spending may be worthy on its own merits. But that doesn't excuse the overall process that leads to these grants. And, at a time when the state is considering raising taxes and drastically cutting worthy programs, it's vital that state government be as transparent as possible.
There is no meaningful way for the public to track these dollars, and it almost looks as if lawmakers are working overtime to keep it that way. The money is routed through the executive branch and then divvied up by senior lawmakers behind closed doors. Even most rank-and-file state legislators don't know how the money is carved up.
THE SECRECY IS bad enough, but it also means that state dollars are being handed out based on politics, not policy. Money should be spent based on need, not on whichever lawmaker has the most juice.
The system all but ensures that districts with powerful political representation - which are usually not the neediest areas - get fatter and fatter, while other areas of the state suffer.
But there's some good news: The AP was able to get the information through the state's right-to-know law, which went into effect this year. Reporters were able to get records and documents that were unavailable until recently.
Without the new law, it would be difficult for the public to see how lawmakers were dividing up tax dollars. Now, thanks to reforms, we have a better shot at tracking state money and holding government accountable. *
