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Dole, Burr Like Transportation Bill

RALEIGH — Critics of pork-barrel spending came down hard on Congress's passage last week of a $286.4 billion transportation spending bill, but U. S. Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr -- both Republicans -- voiced their approval of what the legislation would do for North Carolina. The state is expected to receive nearly $5.1 billion in highway funding and more than $413 million for public transportation projects, according to an announcement made by Dole's office on Friday.

Paul Chesser
News

Federal Pork Spending Grows in N.C.

RALEIGH — Federal spending for pork-barrel projects in North Carolina increased by almost one-third in the last year, but the state remains near the bottom for per capita pork, according to a Washington, D.C.-based government watchdog group. Citizens Against Government Waste released its 2005 Congressional Pig Book last week, in which it annually identifies and calculates the number of wasteful spending projects budgeted by the federal government. The nonprofit organization reported that North Carolina had $133.7 million in such projects, almost a 33 percent rise over last year's $101 million.

Paul Chesser

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