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July 25, 2008 7:04:59 AM CDT

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Alaska Rep. Earmarks Cash for Florida

Posted Jun 7, 07 8:00 AM CDT in US,  Politics 

(Newser) – The New York Times blows the whistle on Don Young, the House's most notorious earmarker, who this time managed to slip in $10 million for a boondoggle that's not even in his home state of Alaska. A 2006 transportation bill mysteriously includes funds for a project in Florida that happens to be close to the heart of a Young campaign  contributor.

The Coconut Road project would connect that road to the nearby Interstate, multiplying the value of land owned by a developer who has given Young over $40,000. The local congressman said he had nothing to do with it, and twice a Florida planning group has voted against the plan on environmental objections. Young fought back with a threat that failure to complete the highway project could jeopardize future funding.

Source New York Times

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Rep. Don Young.   (KRT Photos)
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Florida  • House of Representatives  • Alaska  • earmarks


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