The Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pa., is a prime example of taxpayer spending that refuses to die. Representative John Murtha steered some 150 million of taxpayer dollars to this eponymous airport over the last decade and despite the fact he died more than a year ago, the money keeps on coming.
Three years ago, we first visited the tiny airport, and found a monument to pork barrel spending: An airport with a $7 million air traffic control tower, $14 million hanger, and $18 million runway big enough to land any airplane in North America. For most of the day, the only thing this airport doesn't have is airplanes.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Jack Murtha is dead...
...but his legacy lives on.
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Deborah Leigh said..."... $559,476 in stimulus funds to rehab a back-up runway, $82,551 for air guidance signs, $226,638 to improve the taxiway, $19,412 wildlife hazard assessments, $95,950 and $62,325 to install weather reporting."
Rehab a back-up runway? Why is rehab, and taxiway improvements necessary for an airport that services so little traffic on the main runway? As for wildlife hazard assessments, just put a few hunters in trees. Weather reporting equipment? Did the sock wear out already? Bet they don't cost $62,325. I'll make 'em more socks for less. And my product keep wildlife away.
The Murtha Boondoggle Regional Boondocks Airport.
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