Seeking "Straight Talk" from Governor Pawlenty

Statement

Seeking "Straight Talk" From Governor Pawlenty

Pawlenty Administration Seeks $165,000,000 in "Pork," While Decrying "Pork"

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) today said that Minnesotans deserve straight talk from Governor Pawlenty about his misleading position on Congressional earmarks. The Governor has stated his refusal to support Congress's authority to direct federal funding priorities, while at the same time seeking $165,000,000 in Congressional earmarks.

"Either Governor Pawlenty is seeking $165,000,000 in Congressional earmarks from my office, or he's not," said McCollum. "It's no secret that Governor Pawlenty is seeking a national platform as head of the National Governors Association, a co-chair for Senator McCain's presidential campaign and a possible McCain running mate. I would hope that he'd use this influence in partnership with me to advocate for Minnesota projects. Unfortunately, while he's hoping to hitch a ride around the country on the "Straight Talk Express," he's driving a hypocrisy Hummer on this issue. The straight answer is that the governor wants as many Congressional earmarks as he can get."

"He can't say he opposes earmarks while seeking $165,000,000 in earmarks."

While stating a willingness "to compete for funds as part of a general appropriations process," few if any of the projects the Pawlenty Administration submitted qualify for funding through any applicable merit-based or competitive allocation process in President Bush's fiscal year 2009 budget.

"To Minnesotans, funding for the Minnesota National Guard or Central Corridor Light Rail is not ‘pork,' but the fact is few if any of these projects would receive federal funding without Congressionally directed funding, also know as ‘earmarks.' Minnesotans deserve straight talk from Governor Pawlenty," said McCollum.

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