BUSH HAS HIS OWN SPECIAL PROJECTS
President Bush often denounces the propensity of Congress to earmark money for pet projects. But in his new budget, he has requested money for thousands of similar projects.
A SAMPLING
Among his requests:
• $330 million to fight the emerald ash borer, light brown apple moth and sirex woodwasp.
• $1.5 million for a waterway named in honor of former Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, D-La.
• $12 million for a parachute repair shop at the American air base in Aviano, Italy.
• $6.5 million for research in Wyoming on the "fundamental properties of asphalt."
• $3 million for a Minnesota forest conservation project.
IN BUSH'S DEFENSE
The White House contends that when the president requests money for a particular project, it has gone through a rigorous review -- by a government agency, the White House or both. Sean Kevelighan, a spokesman for the White House Office of Management and Budget, said: "The administration's budget proposals are available for any taxpayer to see. We submit a justification for each item. That's very different from what happens on Capitol Hill, where items are dropped into legislation at the last minute, for no rhyme or reason other than the seniority of a member of Congress."