Many politicians have established similar organizations as an effective means of avoiding transparency.

Donors don’t have to disclose their donations, and the funds are spent in such a manner as to enhance the visibility/popularity/re-electability of the politician.

$21.9 million in earmarks –

I’m not saying this session was the case, but Ralph Hall once asked for a $1.5 million (or so) earmark to an appropriations bill that meant the small town of Leonard could make badly-needed upgrades to its sewage treatment facility, which fed into drinking water supplies when it overflowed after rain. The city itself had raised its property taxes by as much as the law would let them without a rollback election, but spent more money paying TCEQ and EPA fines than it could save for the upgrade.

To me, that’s an example of a good earmark – something that not only helps one small town, but also ensures drinking water for a pocket of the state is not contaminated.

Joe Barton either knows how to work the crowd or is not near as adept at getting earmarks.

Pete Sessions $9,200,000 $222,250 2.42%
Sam Johnson $8,840,000 $181,350 2.05%
Ralph Hall $5,600,000 $159,379 2.85%
Kenny Marchant $5,200,000 $58,700 1.13%
Joe Barton $4,400,000 $189,250 4.30%

He also has one of the more alternately hilarious and horrifying stories about Johnson I’ve seen.