My March 11 post, Tim
Walz conducts virtual hearing on district earmark proposals, looked at Congressman Walz's use of his web site to ask Southern Minnesotans for comment on 99 earmark proposals he had received from local government, public schools and college and non-profits for earmarks.
Drawing from the comments submitted by over 1,000 people and the soundness of the proposal, Walz has winnowed the 99 projects down to 42 projects (by my count) which he has forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee.
in a press release, Walz thanked those who had looked over the proposals:
“I want to thank folks for taking the time out of their day to provide me with their thoughtful, well-informed insight into the local needs of southern Minnesota,” said Walz. “Their input was critical to my final decisions and they played an important role in helping me identify projects that are good for the local economy and good for Minnesota taxpayers.”
For the second year, the reformed earmark process, which was championed by Walz, now requires Members to post all earmark requests and requested dollar amounts on their website, as well as the potential recipient, information about the necessity of the project, and contact information for requestors.
“While it is likely that only a few of these meritorious projects will ultimately receive funding, I believe it is important for residents of southern Minnesota to be able to see the list of projects I am supporting and I am proud to release this information about priorities.”
For more on the process, read below the fold.
All projects were reviewed for meeting key criteria set by Walz:
· Transparency and Accountability The potential recipient must be of high ethical standards and committed to providing additional information to the southern Minnesotans in the future about the project, its progress, and be accountable to taxpayers for how their tax dollars are being spent.
· Job Creation and/or Transformative Impact Congressman Walz is interested in supporting projects that will create jobs and/or have a transformative impact on the region. He is also interested in projects that are eligible for federal funds through the appropriations process but will not require annual federal financial support to be successful.
· Public support The more public support from local elected leaders, community officials, and from citizens in southern Minnesota project requestors can demonstrate for a project, the better the chance that Congressman Walz will submit it to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
The Five-Step Appropriations Process:
Step 1: Every year, Congressman Walz proactively invites applications from localities and nonprofits that wish to request appropriations. Walz does not accept applications from for-profit corporations.
Step 2: Based on a combination of written applications, comments from constituents, phone conversations, and project tours, Walz reviewed projects based on being transformative, cost-effective and job creators.
Step 3: In addition to posting the applications online for public comment beforehand, upon submission to the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Walz has publicly posted his FY2010 requests, which are also attached to this release.
Step 4: Also at the time the request is made, the Congressman sent the committee a letter certifying that he will not benefit financially from any earmarks.
Step 5: When the appropriations bill comes up for a vote, it will be accompanied by a list identifying each earmark in it and which member requested it. These tables will be made publicly available ahead of the vote and Walz will release to the press a list of projects that ultimately receive funding and the amounts they receive. This year, the Inspectors General will also be required to audit at least 5% of all earmarks.
To view the list of project requests, please click here.
Additional information from the Walz congressional office:
THE WALZ RECORD ON EARMARK REFORM
This is Congressman Tim Walz’s fourth year requesting appropriations projects for Minnesota’s 1st District and in each successive year, Walz has insisted on increased transparency and asked his colleagues to join him in publicly disclosing information.
2007: Walz was the only member of the Minnesota delegation to release a complete list of his appropriations requests for FY2008.
Also in 2007, Walz successfully pushed to reform the previously secretive appropriations process in Congress. Under new rules implemented by the Democratic Majority that year, any project funded in an appropriations bill was and continues to be publicly attributed to the Member who requested it. Additionally, Members of Congress now must publicly certify that they do not have any financial interest in a project that they are requesting.
2008: Walz was the first member of the Minnesota delegation and one of only a handful of Representatives to include the dollar amount he requested in his public disclosure of FY2009 appropriations requests.
2009: Walz set out criteria to ascertain the impact each project will have on southern Minnesota. He is also making public additional details about projects public, including the requesting party, fiscal agent, and information supporting the necessity of the project.
Walz has posted his requests online every year of his tenure in Congress. He supports the added scrutiny this year which requires all Members of Congress to publish earmark requests and dollar amounts requested on their website at the time the requests are submitted to the House Appropriations Committee.
2010: Walz hosted a virtual hearing on his website to include southern Minnesotans in the process. This included posting requests he received online for one week to gather input from constituents on local priorities. To our knowledge, he is the only Member of Congress to ever do so. This year, the Appropriations Committee also followed Rep. Walz’s lead and banned requests from for-profit companies.
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