For all the blustery condemnation thrown around whenever the word "earmark" comes up, it is important to remember that behind the moth mating spectacles is a huge body of legislative work that has helped local communities around the country. Gems such as the Indianapolis Children's Museum would simply not exist in their present form without federal funding, and that story is rarely told when the debate over spending projects heats up.
And that's the story local officials are trying to bring up by passing a resolution urging Rep. Mike Pence to abandon his anti-earmark pledge.
In a 6-3 vote, the council passed a non-binding resolution to that effect Monday.
"It's our money going back to the federal government," Democratic council member Sam Marshall said. "Why shouldn't we recoup some of that money?"
The resolution was specifically aimed at convincing Pence to help score federal aid through the transportation bill for local road and street projects.
Is the earmark process flawed? Surely. But Pence voted against reforming the process in 2007, and hasn't appeared all that willing to constructively participate in a discussion, what with such a great opportunity for grandstanding and all.
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