STATES OFFER MIXED REVIEWS OF DEMOCRATS' PLAN TO END EARMARKS

Democrats' plans to ban earmarks in EPA's pending fiscal year 2007 budget are drawing mixed responses from state officials, with some saying the move could jeopardize their work while others say programs could benefit from being funded through EPA's general funds rather than earmarks. Questions over banning earmarks in EPA's FY07 spending bill come as Democrats appear to be aggressively pushing ahead with their plans to reform the earmark process, most recently with the House passing legislation by a 280-152...