Murtha's Defense Earmarks Draw Questions - CBS News »
Posted By zaph22 8 months, 2 weeks ago in Political NewsAs the FBI continues its investigation into campaign contributions to Rep. John Murtha, the powerful lawmaker continues making new earmark requests. Sharyl Attkisson investigates. | Share/Embed
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nostalgia8 months, 2 weeks ago
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"If I'm corrupt," said the congressman, "It's because I take care of my district."
This is an example of how Murtha takes care of his district at the expense of US taxpayers
Murtha's Earmarks Keep Airport Aloft
State-of-the-Art Pennsylvania Facility Sees Few Travelers but Lots of Funding
Inside the terminal on a recent weekday, four passengers lined up to board a flight, outnumbered by seven security staff members and supervisors, all suited up in gloves and uniforms to screen six pieces of luggage.
The key to the airport's gleaming facilities -- and, indeed, its continued existence -- is $200 million in federal funds in the past decade and the powerful patron who steered most of that money here. Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) is credited with securing at least $150 million for the airport. It was among the first in the country to win funding from this year's stimulus package: $800,000 to repave a backup runway.
The facility, newly renamed the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, is a testament to Murtha's ability to tap streams of federal money for pricey, state-of-the-art projects that are rare among regional airports of comparable size.
The airport has received $7.3 million since 2004 under the program. Last year, when the number of passengers fell below a federal threshold and the airport's minimum yearly funding was about to drop from $1 million to $150,000, Murtha stepped in.
The FAA said it could not waive its rules for Murtha, but, a few months later, it approved the stimulus money, which restored the airport's funding close to its previous level. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the Johnstown runway rehabilitation project met the stimulus package's criteria by being shovel-ready and on a state-endorsed priority list.
An $8 million radar system for detecting weather problems more than 100 miles away spins on the southern edge of the property. Murtha had said that the system would create at least a dozen air traffic control jobs, but the state Air National Guard, which was supposed to staff it, said personnel reductions have left the radar unmanned.
A $17.8 million earmark in 2006 from the Defense Department replaced the airport's 7,000-foot-long asphalt runway with a reinforced concrete bed capable of handling larger civilian and military jets, but it is not being employed for that purpose.
He also got the funds that year to build the new terminal, where his portrait graces the entrance.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...
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