Government Spending

SOURCE reason.com
The budget bill in Congress contains over 6,000 earmarks costing taxpayers more than $12.7 billion, with some questionable projects like a $1.4 million solar energy project in Wisconsin and a $4 million grant for the 'Alaska King Crab Enhancement Project'. Earmarks are seen as wasteful and Congress should not be putting taxpayers on the hook for frivolous handouts.

Key Points

  • Over 6,000 earmarks in the budget bill costing taxpayers more than $12.7 billion
  • Examples of questionable earmarks include a solar energy project in Wisconsin and a grant for the 'Alaska King Crab Enhancement Project'
  • Earmarks are viewed as wasteful and Congress should not be using taxpayer money for such projects

Cons

  • Earmarks in the budget bill are expensive and wasteful exercises in cronyism
  • Taxpayers are on the hook for frivolous handouts to politically connected friends
  • Some earmarks seem better funded by local or state taxpayers