Perriello Web site outlines earmarks

By: Denice Thibodeau | GoDanRiver.com
Published: April 04, 2009

Calling for earmark reform that includes increased transparency, U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, has posted all the earmarks he has requested from the House Appropriations Committee on his Web site, www.perriello.house.gov.

Perriello said all of the projects he has chosen to submit meet at least one of the following three criteria:

n Transformative: has the potential to be a “game-changer for the economy” of a 5th District community, especially if it puts that community “at the forefront of the new energy economy.”

n Cost-effective: uses limited funds for a great impact on the community.

n Job creators: creates or attracts jobs to the 5th District.

Perriello’s Web site shows the five-step Appropriation process, from his invitation to apply for the appropriation through to the vote.

Jessica Barba, Perriello’s communications director, said having the earmark posted on the Web site is not a guarantee it will be funded.

“These are just requests he will send to Appropriations,” Barba said.

Earmarks Perriello has requested for local projects include $2.8 million for Chatham to rebuild its crumbling water system infrastructure, $150,000 for Danville Community College’s Wood Products Advanced Manufacturing Lab, $320,000 for the creation of a community pharmacy at Piedmont Access to Health Services Inc. and two projects at the Institute of Advanced Learning.

The 51 posted requests also include four for Martinsville — $3.3 million for construction of a “green” building at the New College Institute; $3.8 million for SPARTA Inc. to bring jobs that will “strengthen the partnership” between the Defense Intelligence Agency and Virginia; $300,000 for the Middle College program at Patrick Henry Community College; and $3.6 million for redevelopment of shuttered warehouses — a $7 million water plant upgrade in Halifax and $900,000 for turning greenhouse gases into energy in South Boston.