Time to end earmarks and WAMs

Good op-ed in the Patriot News by William G. Williams on the need to end Congressional earmarks and WAMs by the PA General Assembly:

For years in Pennsylvania, legislators have been feeding their pet projects into what is known as the capital budget, or WAMs. This year, they included such requests as $45 million for a soccer stadium in Chester County, $35 million for a baseball stadium in Lackawanna County, $8 million for a visitors center in McKean County, $12 million for a lodge in Tioga County, $10 million for an athletic complex in Philadelphia, and $20 million for an art center, parking lot and inn in Union County.

All worthwhile projects, the legislators and their constituents would say. If so, put them through the proper state agencies for funding. And if the state cannot afford it, whatever happened to private financing?