Earmark Database: It's a Start

The White House officially launched its database of congressional earmarks today. Anything that makes the budget process more transparent is a good thing, and this is a worthwhile start. But there are plenty of "buts" and "howevers" attached to the database. For example, the database can't tell you who sponsored the earmark (which is a critical piece of information). It can also be tough to figure out who ultimately benefits from the earmark, since the money may be tucked away in unlikely places. The Porkbusters are taking a crack at figuring that out, however.

OMB Watch has its own set of doubts about the database, although on the whole they think it's a plus.

So, with those provisos in mind, enjoy!