It doesn’t take long to figure out Rep. Michael Arcuri is a publicity hound, but it’s rather unusual for anyone to call him on it. Mark Weiner of the Syracuse Post-Standard does just that in his Washington Notebook. Looking back at the recent passage of pork-barrel legislation that would bring $40 million per year to economically depressed areas of New York, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, Weiner notes that Arcuri and fellow New York Rep. John McHugh both wanted credit for the bill.
Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, was the first to stake his claim to the legislation, issuing a news release Thursday with the headline, “Arcuri Economic Development Bill Passes House.”
Arcuri noted that as a member of the House Rules Committee he managed the debate on the resolution. He said the new commission could help create new jobs and economic growth in his district, which includes Cayuga, Seneca, Oneida and Herkimer counties.
Rep. John McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, chimed in Friday with a news release headlined, “McHugh’s Northern Border Regional Commission Approved By House.”
McHugh noted that each of the 11 counties in his district, including Oswego and Madison counties and part of Oneida County, will be eligible for investment from the commission.
A little digging on Weiner’s part found that neither Arcuri nor McHugh could really take full credit for the bill’s passage. That’s because earmark-loving Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota sponsored the bill and Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine led the effort to get the four states included in the package.
October 10, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Its SO refreshing to finally see that people are starting to realize what a bad apple this guy is.
His supporters will ravinously attack anyone who points out his many shortcomings, like zombies they buy the aw-shucks stories and outright lies.
Finally starting to see the tide turning.
Thank you!
October 16, 2007 at 6:04 am
[...] week Syracuse Post-Standard columnist Mark Weiner noted that Arcuri was claiming credit for the bill, even though he wasn’t the [...]
October 16, 2007 at 6:05 am
[...] week Syracuse Post-Standard columnist Mark Weiner noted that Arcuri was claiming credit for the bill, even though he wasn’t the [...]