WASHINGTON -- Under the GOP-controlled Congress, most areas in the Tristate have recorded bigger increases than the nation as a whole in federal spending, especially in key areas such as highways and procurement contracts, a computer-assisted analysis shows.
Despite their expressed zeal for cutting federal spending, area congressmen, most of whom are up for re-election, say they are eager to help area firms get government work.
"If we think we can help a company get a contract, if there is a good or service that the government is seeking that is produced in my area, then we try to be helpful," said Rep. Rep. Rob Portman, who represents the 2nd Congressional District.
The 8th District, represented by Rep. John Boehner of West Chester, a member of the Republican leadership, led all districts with a 42.38 percent increase in government contracts. Much of the 8th District's $93.7 million in government work goes to O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt, which makes armor for the military Humvee vehicles.
Gannett News Service used Census Bureau data covering federal budget years 1995-1997 to look at trends for the six congressional districts in and around Cincinnati.
The period 1995-1997 was significant because the 1995 budget was the last set by a Democratic-controlled Congress. The 1996 and 1997 budget years were the first two controlled by the Republican Congress elected in 1994. The 1997 budget year is also the latest for which figures are available.
The congressional districts examined, in addition to the Ohio 8th, 1st and 2nd, were the Ohio 6th, Indiana 9th and Kentucky 4th.
Hamilton County is by far the biggest recipient of federal spending. It showed an increase in federal spending from $5.15 billion to $5.24 billion over the period, an increase of 2 percent, which was slightly below the increase of 3 percent recorded nationwide.
The 1997 totals, and the percentage increase in funding since 1995, for the six districts combined include:
Community Development Block Grants: $26.02 million, a decrease of 18.61 percent, compared to a nationwide increase of 2 percent. The only congressional district showing an increase was the 6th, which received $500,757, an increase of 80.42 percent.
Although the amount of federal spending coming back to the Tristate can seem large, Ohio and Indiana have long complained about getting less than a dollar back for every dollar sent to Washington.
The latest such calculations, done by the Northeast-Midwest Institute, a think tank, show that for budget year 1997, Ohio got 93 cents back for every dollar sent to Washington and Indiana got 90 cents. Kentucky, on the other hand, got $1.37.
Reflecting overall federal spending, the biggest dollar amounts going into the Tristate in 1997 were from programs such as Medicare, $2.42 billion; Social Security, $5.09 billion; and Medicaid $1.15 billion.
Since 1995, the amount of Medicare spending going into the area has increased 6.21 percent, along with a 8.21 percent increase for Social Security and 3.78 percent for Medicaid.
The Medicare increase is about half of the nationwide increase of 13 percent over that time, while the Social Security increase is close to the national increase of 7 percent and the Medicaid increase is close to the nationwide increase of 5 percent.
But those major entitlement programs are driven more by the population characteristics of local districts than the efforts of local House or Senate members.
"The entitlement funding kind of flows anyway," said Rep. Lee Hamilton, an Indiana Democrat who is retiring after 34 years in the House.
The amount of discretionary spending that members can try to influence is relatively small compared to the overall federal budget.
But seeking "pork," or special spending for your own congressional district, goes on, budget experts say, despite the themes of balanced budgets and fiscal restraint that both Republicans and the Clinton administration have tried to project.
"I think it has probably gotten worse," said Ron Utt, budget analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
For proof, he said, look no further than the $9 billion in special projects for members included in the major new highway spending bill that passed this year. Reps. Portman, Boehner and Republican Steve Chabot voted against the highway bill in protest of the amount of pork in it.
Mr. Chabot's position on federal spending has stood out because of his consistent opposition to funding for a light rail system that would range from the Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky International Airport to Paramount's Kings Island.
The opposition has become a campaign issue in the 1st Congressioal District. His opponent, Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls, complains that Mr. Chabot is inattentive to a real need. He says the project is a boondoggle.
He has also opposed the B2 bomber program, even though it was seen as helping GE Aircraft Engines in Evendale.
"We want to make sure there is no waste in the (the budget), whether in our district or anywhere else in the country," Mr. Chabot said.
He has chosen to support federal funding for some projects, including Fort Washington Way and the Mill Creek flood control. He has worked this year to preserve funding for a project that involves replacing the engines on the KC-135 military aircraft that also benefits GE Aircraft engines.
Although Mr. Chabot opposed the B2 bomber program, he has gone to bat for GE Aircraft Engines on other projects he said were a better investment for taxpayers. One involved putting new engines on KC-135 tankers.
Rep. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., is considered as much of a fiscal conservative as the other area Republicans. But if the federal government is going to spend the money anyway, especially for highways and infrastructure improvements, he wants to make sure Kentucky gets its fair share, said Bunning aide Dave York.
Among the areas where Mr. Bunning has worked hardest to bring spending back to the 4th Congressional District of Kentucky are for the new courthouse in Covington, flood relief for the areas devastated by the 1997 flood, Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport and various other transportation projects.
"We don't see infrastructure improvements as pork barrel. We think infrastructure improvements make great sense," the Bunning aide said.
Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lucasville, also is unapologetic about his quest for federal funds and other assistance for the 6th Congressional District, a sprawling district with large pockets of rural poverty.
"I take a very active role to help the district get the help it deserves," Mr. Strickland said.
Not only does he write letters of support for area funding to other members of Congress and bureaucrats, he also has staff help local officials fill out federal forms and grant requests.
But Mr. Strickland said that just because he wants to help his district does not mean he is fiscally irresponsible.
"I think there is a perception that if you are Democrat you just enjoy spending public money," he said. "I think public money ought to be spent for worthwhile projects."
