Bond secures $500,000 grant for Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Sen. Christopher âKit” Bond, R-Mo. and the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, sent out a release today to point out that he “used his position to secure $500,000 for obtaining new office space for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro St. Louis and to connect the office to a wireless network system as part of its move to a new building.
âThese funds will help the Hispanic Chamber continue to serve the growing Hispanic community and build businesses in St. Louis,” said Bond in a statement. âI am proud to have been a long-time partner with the Hispanic Chamber. By working together and making the right investments we will continue to improve our communities.”
According to Bond, “The funds are part of the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus appropriations bill, sending millions of federal funds to Missouri to help create jobs, improve access to health care, and build better communities.”
Rafael Nun MarÃn, president of the 25-year-old Chamber, said, âSen. Bond’s support of the chamber has been a constant. He has had a direct impact in improving the quality of life for the Hispanic community, not only in St. Louis but throughout Missouri. The new Hispanic Chamber office made possible by the efforts of Sen. Bond will be instrumental for promoting entrepreneurship, sustaining small businesses, and creating new jobs and business opportunities.”
By the way, this is the same group that has been particularly critical of another Republican, Gov. Matt Blunt, because of his various anti-illegal immigrant initiatives.
Nice try, Senator. No votarán por usted.
Oink.
Yep, it’s pork. Would this fall under the category of an “earmark,” by any chance? Hmmmmm …
But guess what? Groups such as these have become so accustomed to it that they demand it. It’s like developers all wanting tax credits to build.
Get rid of it all, if you ask me. This is NOT a role of the federal government.
Buying votes with taxpayer money seems to be easier than ever.
What a sleazy way to operate Senator Bond.
While I agree that it shouldn’t ever be done, it’s been happening for years, and Bond has “brought home the bacon” for a long, long time. Some of it has been quite beneficial, but it doesn’t take away the fact that it’s still pork.
Although she’s been running these earmarks up the flagpole since making it to the senate, I doubt that even Claire will fight to remove this appropriation.
Jim, just because it’s been happening for a long time doesn’t make it right.
I don’t want my Senator to “bring home the bacon.” I want him/her to make sure they never take the damn bacon in the first place.
There’s some buzz out there that Pres Bush may issue an executive order defunding the 90% of the 9,000+ earmarks that got airdropped into committee reports. I hope he does it.
#7
So he would sign the bill and then use a questionable manuever to veto only portions?
Why not just veto the bill?
Some of these earmarks are a result of compromises. What chances will there be of compromises in the future if one thinks it will be thrown out at a president’s whimsy?
Bush isn’t going to whack earmarks. If Republicans wanted to get rid of earmarks, they have years of total control during which to do it. It just isn’t going to happen.
I don’t believe the president can do that with an executive order. I don’t recall why the line-item veto was ruled unconstitutional, but I sure as hell wish it were available to a president.
I agree, amazed, that it doesn’t make it right. I’m just saying that people have become so accustomed to it, damned be the one that strikes them down!