EKB News

U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito says she will not ask for earmarked federal funding for her district in the 2011 or 2012 federal budgets. Last year, Capito requested 87 "earmark" projects, including sewer/water projects for 27 communities, 5 highway projects and Charleston library construction. She secured $21.4 million for 19 projects. The Congressional Republican Conference voted in mid-November to ban 2012 earmark requests.

Senator Joe Manchin is asking why elected officials would need to block community projects as they improve the process. Manchin says, "Our constituents elected us to represent them, to do as much as we can to make sure West Virginians get what they need, so I won't be hiding behind a party decision. I'm not going to roll over and say OK, I won't do that part of my job for the next two years."

In 2011, Representative Nick Joe Rahall submitted 77 requests for 3rd District projects, including 13 Corps of Engineers projects, the King Coal Highway, US 52, five other highway projects, mine safety training, and numerous water, sewer and health programs. Rahall says they are vital to communities he represents, and he's proud of every one of them.