Fisher: Idaho Enjoys Earmarks, Too

Idahoans unhappy with all the earmarks in the big spending bill now before the U.S. Senate have a lot of people to blame, including the members of their own congressional delegation. Make that their own congressional delegation of last year. As the Obama administration correctly points out, to the derision of some, the bill was assembled before the new Congress, and the new president, assumed office. That means freshman Democrat Walt Minnick is responsible for none of the earmarks, but, as his predecessor’s former press secretary points out, the four Republicans then in office - also not including freshman Sen. Jim Risch - are. (Bill Sali, Mike Simpson, Mike Crapo and Larry Craig are responsible for 65 earmarks specific to Idaho, totaling more than $69 million)/Jim Fisher, Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Are you surprised that last year’s conservative congressional delegation from Idaho is responsible for more than $69 million in earmarks in this year’s federal budget?