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Tampa gets in on earmark action

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The Associated Press

Published: May 21, 2009

WASHINGTON - There are lots of bridges to cross and roads to travel for lawmakers bent on ending the time-honored practice of funneling money to their home states: at least 6,800 of them. It's as if the outcry over pet projects in big spending bills - commonly known as "earmarks" - never occurred.

With the House preparing what is expected to be a $400 billion bill outlining the next six years of federal spending on roads, bridges and mass transit, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee called for requests for money for specific projects.

Included in the requests was one from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, who asked for $10 million for preliminary engineering and planning for a 20.2-mile light rail line connecting downtown Tampa, the University of South Florida and the West Shore business district.

Not every request will be approved, but it appears that the appetite for earmarks hasn't slackened.

The Associated Press

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