March 8, 2009<\/p>\n
By John Yaukey
\nAdvertiser Washington Bureau<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON – While other senators spent last week arguing over the evils or merits of special project funding they stuffed into a $410 billion spending bill, Hawai’i’s lawmakers have happily boasted about their take, which looks to be considerable.<\/p>\n
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was expected to be among the top beneficiaries of the so-called omnibus spending bill.<\/p>\n
And he is.<\/p>\n
But an analysis of earmarks by Taxpayers for Common Sense found that second-term U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat, led the 435-member House of Representatives with $138.6 million in pet projects – or earmarks – in large part because they were co-sponsored with Inouye.<\/p>\n
In fourth place was Democratic U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, with $111.4 million.<\/p>\n
Hirono wa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
March 8, 2009 Hawai’i delegation proud of earmarks By John Yaukey Advertiser Washington Bureau WASHINGTON – While other senators spent last week arguing over the evils or merits of special project funding they stuffed into a $410 billion spending bill, Hawai’i’s lawmakers have happily boasted about their take, which looks to be considerable. U.S. Sen. … <\/p>\n