Alaska’s representatives in Congress are notorious for carving out more than their fair share of pork and sending it back to the frozen north.  As the political environment has turned icy toward excessive earmarking behavior, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is striving to restore the state’s reputation.  Unable to restrain earmark connoisseurs Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, Palin has directed her budget chief Karen Rehfeld to drastically reduce the number of federal earmarks being requested by the state. 
 
In a recent article profiling the change in attitude, it was noted that Alaska needs to “enhance the state's credibility [and that] federal earmark requests for money should be only for the most compelling needs.”
 
Most impressive was the tone of the article, which stressed Gov. Palin’s understanding that states should not be reliant on federal funds to close their budget gaps and that doing so is irresponsible and damaging.   
 
Acknowledging the role of groups like Americans for Prosperity, the article stated, “watchdog groups have especially singled out Alaska, with the highest per-capita federal spending in the nation, in charging that earmarks are abused.”
 
Americans for Prosperity applauds Gov. Palin for her stance and urges other governors to come to grips with the changing tide and reject earmarks for their states as well.  
 
The article can be read in its entirety here: Congressional earmarks lose luster for Alaska.