Betty Sutton

Betty Sutton's Pork Projects Cost Us $

Dan Mucci – The Suburbanite

Mon Aug 24, 2009, 09:03 AM EDT

Akron, Ohio – Are Congressional earmarks good or bad?

They can be both, according to local Congresswoman (D OH-13) Betty Sutton. Sutton cited several examples at the Akron Chamber of Commerce’s forum at the Martin Center on the University of Akron’s campus.

“In the House, we earmarked $600,000 for the Bio-Innovation Institute,” said Sutton. “The Senate is looking at earmarking $400,000 for the Institute. Potentially, this is good for this area. It is unique and could lead to the entrepreneurial spirit. If we can leverage our strengths and secure Federal funding for the area, these monies can help create jobs.”

Other earmarked projects for Summit County include: $100,000 for Oriana House; $100,000 for the Sheriff’s Department; $500,000 for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park System; $1 million for the University of Akron’s Polymer Center; $500,000 for Akron Metro to name a few. In total, if and when Congress approves the budget, $21 million will come to Summit County for projects – projects that will create jobs.

Sutton said many people question why we need earmarks and if we didn’t have earmarks, we could save money.

“The money that is spent in earmarks will be spent whether it is marked as earmarks or not,” said Sutton, the youngest of six children. “Without earmarks, agencies would spend the money. With earmarks, we can bring the money back to the area’s that need the money the most.”

I have to interrupt at this point.  For some reason this all reminds me of Sutton’s floor speech prior to her Cap and Trade vote:

“This bill isn’t perfect. I have yet to see a bill that is. But the status quo is not the right choice.” ~ Betty Sutton

Translation: It’s not perfect. we need to do something.  This is something.  Let’s do this.

What kind of logic is that?  This is just an idea, call me crazy if you must, but couldn’t you hold out, take your time, research the issue, study the impact on the 13th district and then work to get us a perfect bill or vote NO?

So, now we have Sutton telling us that money will be spent whether it’s earmarked or not.  What?  I’ve got an idea Betty, how about cutting the budget and not spending our money anywhere! Don’t spend it on the agencies, don’t spend it on the earmarks, just don’t spend it!

We must unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of this country and provide the economic opportunities that our constituents need. This bill is part of that mission. It’s not the entire answer to all that ails us, but let there be no mistake, this is a jobs bill.

Just curious, how long have Sutton and her crew been passing “job bills”?  What are Ohio’s unemployment numbers?

Recently, Sutton authored a bill that is making national news – Cash for Clunkers.

“A tour guide giving a tour in the House passed me in the hallway the other day,” said Sutton. “He called me the “Clunker Woman” in front of the group.

Too easy.

“This program is doing exactly what it was set out to do,” said the Barberton native. “It is putting people back to work. Just today (Aug. 19), the Lordstown plant recalled 1,100 workers. That in turn is putting steel workers back to work in Cleveland. Along with that, the consumers are winning as well. With the car trade in, consumers will save $800 to $1,000 a year in fuel. This program has spurred the economy in Ohio and is protecting the environment.

Really, Betty?  Dealers aren’t getting their money and somehow that is stimulating the economy?  How does that work?

You can read the entire story (without my interruptions )  on the Suburbanite’s website