Hutchison named 'Porker of the Month'

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An anti-earmark group Tuesday named Texas Senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kay Bailey Hutchison as October's “ Porker of the Month .”

The group gives out the title to lawmakers, government officials and political candidates it thinks “have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers,” according to its website.

The group said Hutchison has requested 149 earmarks worth $1.6 billion for fiscal year 2010. The Dallas Morning News reports that, by Hutcison’s own accounting, she has steered $8.7 billion to Texas in the past five years.

Hutchison has argued if she hadn't secured those funds, lawmakers from other states would have. Congress had already agreed to spend the money; it was just a matter of how the pie would be divided.

Senator Hutchison is involved in a heated campaign with incumbent governor Rick Perry.

Despite Hutchison’s campaign ’s quickness to mention any negative news regarding Perry, when questioned Tuesday morning on the CAGW title, spokesperson Jennifer Baker criticized its newsworthiness.

"Kay Bailey Hutchison has been one of the most effective senators Texas ever had in making sure Texas tax dollars are directed to Texas projects, instead of that money going to other states," Baker later released on a prepared statement.  "Kay Bailey Hutchison’s effective leadership has ensured money budgeted by Congress is spent on local projects, military projects and vitally needed transportation needs in Texas instead of being directed to other states like California and Massachusetts.”

Hutchison has been quoted as saying earmarks are her way of fighting for Texas by taking care of the state’s universities, transit systems, hospitals and cities.

Larry Kilgore and Debra Medina are also in the Republican primary election for governor. Kinky Friedman , Hank Gilbert and Tom Schieffer are on the Democratic primary ticket.