Member items offer political balance

By G. Oliver Koppell

As a member of the New York City Council, I have been given annual discretion over the distribution of several hundred thousand city dollars in operating funds for programs and projects in my district such as senior centers, youth programs, cultural organizations and environmental projects. I have also been given discretion over the expenditure of several million dollars in capital budget funds for construction of projects such as libraries, park improvements, transportation projects and educational facilities.

These discretionary expenditures are known as "member items." Similar discretion is granted to members of Congress where such allocations are known as "earmarks." State legislators also identify and allocate member items.

Recently, a number of problems have been identified in the designation and distribution of City Council member items as well as discretionary allocations by state legislators and members of Congress. These problems particularly relate to how the appropriations have been identified or not identified in budgets. In addition, in a few instances, member items have been diverted to personal use by recipients. In other instances, allegations have been made that member item spending has benefited individual Council members or their families.

These problems must be dealt with and the process for allocation of discretionary monies by members must be reformed. We should not, however, "throw out the baby with the bath water." Proposals to eliminate member items funding should be resisted. This was the thrust of a Riverdale Press editorial three weeks ago, with which I agree. ("Bringing home the bacon," April 24)