On March 1,2007 – the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity launched it’s Mystery Pork Tour.  Our goal was to expose the misuse of taxpayer dollars.  Specifically, we wanted to expose the failed process by which taxpayer dollars were being allocated for lawmakers “pet projects” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iILSoNFK54Y). AFP-IL identified over 800 projects and $1.3 billion that were snuck into the states 2007 budget without public review.

I am proud to announce, thanks to our efforts, funding for 3 of the programs we exposed thus far, totaling over $2.5 million, has been removed from the 2008 budget.  It is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and members that the Mystery Pork Tour is successfully working to save taxpayer dollars.

Americans for Prosperity will continue its work on behalf of the taxpayer and our members will continue to demand that lawmakers pass strong budget reforms, accountability and transparency laws or risk being replaced by lawmakers who will!