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Remote Murtha airport lands big bucks from Washington
CNN ^
| April 23, 2009
| Jim Acosta and Janet Rodriguez
Posted on 04/23/2009 11:10:10 AM PDT by jazusamo
JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Located outside a small Pennsylvania city, John Murtha airport may not see many passengers. But it's seen plenty of arrivals of tax dollars from Washington, most recently economic stimulus funds.
The airport offers three commercial flights. In between the arrivals and departures, airport officials admit there are few faces around the facility.
"When the flights are coming in, there are people. Other than that, it's empty," said Scott Voelker, manager of the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
But one face is everywhere. Rep. John Murtha, the airport's namesake, is hard to miss.
Considered one of "the kings of pork" on Capitol Hill by taxpayer watchdog groups, the 19th-term Pennsylvania Democrat has piloted almost $200 million from Washington to Murtha airport. Much of the funding has come in the form of legislative earmarks that are attached to bills before Congress.
Taxpayer watchdogs have said earmarks -- often derided as "pork-barrel" spending -- are designed to fund congressional pet projects.
"[Murtha's] dumped in nearly $200 million into this project that has virtually no passengers. It's practically a museum piece," said Steve Ellis with the Taxpayers for Common Sense. 
Watch why critics say the airport is wasteful »
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: earmarks; murtha; murthaairport; pork
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To: smoothsailing
Hey hey hey,
I found that piece a while ago and it’s a great title, couldn’t be more appropriate. I also added it to Fat Jack’s file.
Happy to see ABC blasting him, I don’t think he appreciates the MSM getting on his case, he’s not used to it!
21
posted on
04/23/2009 3:36:03 PM PDT
by
jazusamo
(But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
To: smoothsailing
When Republicans do that it's earmarked pork. When Democrats do it it's budgeted stimulus or an “investment.” As in investment in Murtha’s re-election.
22
posted on
04/23/2009 3:46:08 PM PDT
by
colorado tanker
("Lastly, I'd like to apologize for America's disproportionate response to Pearl Harbor . . . ")
To: smoothsailing
You’ve heard of the Bridge to Nowhere, Welcome to the Airport for Nobody
LMAO a Good one!
23
posted on
04/23/2009 6:06:11 PM PDT
by
Cheetahcat
(Osamabama Wright kind of Racist! We are in a state of War with Democrats)
To: Cheetahcat; colorado tanker; jazusamo
To: smoothsailing
LOL! What a great video, much better than CNN’s. If Fat Jack has seen it he has to be fuming. :)
25
posted on
04/23/2009 8:46:21 PM PDT
by
jazusamo
(But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
To: jazusamo
I like the part about the rental cars!!! ROFLOL!!!
To: jazusamo
pork pork pork pork pork
Can you believe that!?
27
posted on
04/26/2009 8:46:23 PM PDT
by
BillyA
(Bring out your pustiles.)
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