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‘Dr. No’ says yes to
local requests
Published July 1, 2007
Despite his moniker “Dr.
No,” Congressman Ron Paul has not been
denying requests for funding from his
constituents even though he repeatedly votes
against overall spending bills that contain
his own requests.
For the 2008 fiscal year, Paul, who also is
campaigning for the Republican presidential
nomination, has submitted 65 requests to the
House Appropriations Committee to fund local
projects, said Tom Lizardo, Paul’s chief of
staff.
According to documents provided by Paul’s
office, the self-described strict
constitutionalist has put in requests for
$25,000 for a child identification program
for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office,
$500,000 to expand the cancer center at
Brazosport Regional Health System and $5
million to open the mouth of the San Bernard
River.
“There are requests that come from port
authorities, local officials, county
commissioners and city mayors,” Lizardo
said. “As long as the request is not
outlandish, he will make the request to the
appropriate subcommittee.”
Even though he votes against most spending
bills offered in the House of
Representatives, Paul believes taxpayers are
paying into the government and should get
something for it, Lizardo said.
“We ought to attempt to get the money in the
district because it was taken from the
district,” he said.
Paul, R-Lake Jackson, has voted against
funding bills for military construction,
veterans and state/foreign operations so far
this year. He did not cast a vote when the
Homeland Security and legislative funding
bills were on the floor.
Even though he votes against the bills that
contain his own earmarks, the people behind
those earmarks appreciate the support.
“That’s been difficult to swallow,” said
Jimmy Brown, a Port Freeport commissioner.
“It’s always been his goal to help his
district.”
Paul put in a request to increase the port’s
funding to $11.74 million compared to the
$4.4 million it received last year.
Those working toward a grand re-opening of
the silt-clogged San Bernard River took Paul
to the closed mouth, and since then, the
congressman has tried to get funding for the
project.
“I think that had a lot to do with it,” said
Paul Webb with Friends of the San Bernard
River. “He’s been with us for awhile.”
The Associated Press contributed to this
report.
John Thompkins is a reporter for The Facts.
Contact him at (979) 849-8581.
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PAUL’S REQUESTS
Area projects for which Rep. Ron Paul,
R-Lake Jackson, has made funding requests in
Congress:
• $25,000 for a child identification program
for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
• $500,000 to expand the cancer center at
Brazosport Regional Health System.
• $5 million to open the mouth of the San
Bernard River
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