But Congressman Bill Young Is Taking Some Heat About It

It's proof that one Congressman's pork is another's pudding. Because of term limits on Capitol Hill, Representative CW Bill Young (R-FL) is stepping down as head of the House Appropriations Committee.

As a parting kiss to his constituency, he landed $6 million to extend the runway at St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport and another $2.2 million for a new control tower at Albert Whitted Airport. Not bad for a field that was in danger of being overrun by developers just a few short months ago.

Young's pork pies -- projects specifically for his home district in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area -- are the stuff legends are made of. But Young staunchly defended his projects, including those at PIE and Albert Whitted. "I believe these are very legitimate items that we provide for here. I'd be prepared to argue the merits of any of them," he told the St. Petersburg Times.

"Congressman Young is awesome," St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker told the Times. "It's hard to overstate how much he has done for the whole community."

FMI: www.house.gov/young