With apologies to the Associated Press, below is the AP's list of examples of Michigan pork projects included in the $388 billion spending bill that Congress is expected to approve in a week or so.
One could say, where is the $3 billion to restore the Great Lakes? But that wouldn't be pork, that would be a porkfest.
So instead, where is:
* The $50 million to dredge contaminated sediments from the Detroit River -- and to seek repayment to the taxpayer from polluters?
* The $10 million to launch a Lake Superior International Peace Park demonstrating how an industrial age society can protect the world's most majestic lake?
* The $500,000 to create the Michigan Conservation Trail, a linkage of sites (also preserved on CD) that would enable concerned citizens to learn about the milestones in their environmental past?
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Examples of Michigan projects getting funding in spending bill
November 30, 2004, 6:24 PM
Congress is expected to finish work on a massive spending bill next week. The bill would provide more than $223 million for 200 projects in Michigan.
Spending categories and examples of projects in each category:
Public Transit, $41.9 million
-- $4 million to the Bay City area transit system
Harbor and river operations and maintenance, $39.7 million
-- $2.8 million for dredging in the Saginaw River
-- $1.2 million for dredging in Holland Harbor
Transportation, $30.8 million
-- $3 million for improvements at W.K. Kellogg Airport near Battle Creek
-- $1 million for street construction in Greenville
Sewage and drain projects, $29.6 million
-- $1 million each for sewer improvements in Macomb County and Benton Harbor
Agriculture, $25.4 million
-- $5 million to combat bovine tuberculosis
-- $1.2 million for research into pasteurizing egg shells
Justice, $18.7 million
-- $1.5 million to Oakland County for handheld digital fingerprint and photo devices in patrol cars
Housing and Urban Development, $10.8 million
-- $350,000 for revitalization in Port Huron
-- $312,250 for improvements to Detroit's river walk
Energy and Water, $9.6 million
-- $2.6 million for Soo Lock replacement
Health, $8.5 million
-- $1 million for research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit
-- $600,000 to the City of Detroit to improve access to primary care for low-income residents
Education, $8.1 million
-- $500,000 to the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District for information technology programs
-- $400,000 to the Charles H. Wright Museum for African American History in Detroit
Source: Michigan Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow