Through a new system for securing earmarks and a separate process for transportation projects, U.S. Rep. John Katko hopes to bring home tens of millions of dollars in federal funding to central New York.Â
Katko, R-Camillus, has posted the $65.3 million wish list on his website â a requirement for members seeking funds through the House Appropriations Committee s Community Project Funding Requests program. It s a long title, but it s a new way of distributing earmarks, which the House banned in 2011. That ban was lifted earlier this year.Â
For community project funding, members may submit up to 10 requests. Katko filed the maximum number allowed, with projects in each of the four counties (Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego and Wayne) in his congressional district.Â