Experience = Results
Representative Hargraves has worked in the State House for 14 years and understands what it means to get something done. He knows that his role is not to write "white paper" policy statements about what should be done; his role is to provide support for his communities and his constituents. Simply put, Bob would rather help a constituent cut through the bureaucratic red tape or sponsor legislation that requires open debate on all spending measures than try to win an essay contest for the best articulation of an issue.
Click the items to the left to review a few of the issues facing the state and our towns, along with examples of Bob´s common sense approach to working on these issues.
Earmark Excesses
The term "Earmarks" refers to specific funding line items that amend the budget, in most cases bypassing the normal public budget process discussion and debate. While there may be isolated cases of needed expenditure in this manner, the Democratic super-majority has turned this budget tool into a gravy train reward system for member loyalty.
For the current budget, the number of proposed amendments is 1512. That´s ONE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED AND TWELVE items that did not receive public scrutiny. Even a quick scan of these items reveals why these items were bulk-approved by quick votes with no discussion allowed: Most of these items do not represent common-sense priority spending in these tough times.
Here are a few examples of the special hidden projects tucked away in budget areas they don´t belong:
- The state specifically gives $217,000 to fix one high school´s tennis courts, while that same town is cutting school services, library services, fire department services, and police resources.
- The Office of Travel and Tourism spends $20,000 to fix a school auditorium, money that should be in education funding used for capital improvements.
- The Department of Agriculture is to spend $250,000 upon the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Children in Springfield.
- The Parks and Recreation department is earmarked over $200,000 to refurbish restrooms at a public high school.
- $1.5 million in earmarks to repair an irrigation system on a public golf course.
- The Office of Native American affairs dedicated $75,000 to repair a church steeple.
Representative Hargraves has been a consistent critic of earmarks. He filed common-sense legislation to require more public debate on these items. He understands that money spent on special-interest projects should be stopped so that more money could be sent to our towns in the form of local aid. For example, would that town vote to spend $217,000 of its own money to fix tennis courts while it is forced to lay off school, fire, and police personnel?
To see the entire 151-page list of budget amendments proposed by the House membership, click here.
