A congressional committee has voted to eliminate funding for Johnstown’s National Drug Intelligence Center, extending a years-long battle over its future.
But that does not necessarily mean the downtown center is in jeopardy, especially because U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, wields significant influence over federal defense money.
“We’ll try to work it out, as we have over the past four years,” Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey said Tuesday.
The Hill, a Washington newspaper, reported that the House Intelligence Committee voted to strip all earmarks – a term that denotes funding for specific projects inserted into legislation – from the 2009 intelligence authorization bill.
One of the casualties was $23 million Murtha earmarked for NDIC, the newspaper reported.
With earmarks increasingly viewed as wasteful spending, the move was applauded by a watchdog group.
“We shouldn’t be making decisions on our intelligence-gathering priorities based on the pet project request of powerful lawmakers,” Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense told The Hill.
But because 2009 budget negotiations will continue, it is quite possible that funding for NDIC could reappear in the coming months.
It is the latest step in an ongoing debate about the intelligence center, which critics have labeled as an expensive, largely redundant facility that should be eliminated.
But some lawmakers have fought to keep NDIC – and its hundreds of jobs – in Johnstown. They argue that the center does important work and even contributes to the fight against terrorism.
Murtha has been the center’s biggest backer.
“People realize the value that NDIC has within the drug-intelligence community,” Mazonkey said.
For three straight years, Murtha, who chairs the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has thwarted Bush administration proposals to close NDIC.
Last year, the center also received support from U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter. The Senate eventually shot down an amendment that would have eliminated NDIC funding.
However, President Bush again called for the shutdown of NDIC in his 2009 spending plan.
On the day the president’s budget was released, Mazonkey said Murtha would “continue to fight any politically motivated attempts to close the center.”
Local News
NDIC in limbo
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
