Blog - Earmarking Season Begins

Some bloggers got a hold of this email that was circulated today, calling for senators to submit their earmark requests so they can be included in the 2008 budget:

> From: Kratz, Jeff (Appropriations)
>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 12:11 PM
>
> To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>
> Subject: Subcommittee deadline
>
>
> The Labor-HHS deadline for all requests will be April 13, 2007.
>
> This deadline includes any programmatic funding, project funding, bill or report language requests that your Senators would like to submit for the FY2008 LHHS bill.
>
> Please submit all requests by e-mail and deliver a hard copy to SD-156.
>
> Please e mail your requests to Bettilou_Taylor@appro.senate.gov
>
>As we develop specific instructions on format — I will forward that information to you.
>
>Thanks for your cooperation.

Mark Tapscott suggests he might hold a contest that would give “more of a public debate than Congress typically gives the vast majority of earmarks.”

Ed Frank is suggesting that people send an email to Bettilou_Taylor@appro.senate.gov to request an earmark-free bill.