Dear Hecate
Why are budget earmarks a dirty word? Our little program is targeted to a very specific population in our community, and our not-so-very-powerful Rep has been able to protect us every year in the budget by "earmarking" some funds for us in the line item that funds programs like ours. In fact the line item is full of earmarks for other programs like ours from all over the state. We all still go through the RFP process, fill out all the forms and fill out all the reports justifying every single penny. We're all subject to audits, we all must make sure our programs meet state standards and follow regulations. We just don't have to compete with each other. I don't get it.
Good guy provider
Dear Good Guy,
Do not spend another second worrying about what anybody else thinks about earmarks. Get to work with your not so powerful Rep and make sure he gets your earmark in his list of priorites to Chairman DeLeo. As you may already know, the Chairman has sent out a letter to all Reps asking them for a letter listing their individual priorities by Feb 11. The letter also asks each Rep to schedule a meeting with the Chairman to justify the list. Now, stop reading this and star putting together the briefing material for your Rep.
Who is Hecate?
Hecate is a Greek Goddess who served as a guide and coach at the crossroads of Hades, where after crossing the River Styx, Greek souls found themselves facing three choices: the Elysian Fields, abode of the great and heroic; the Fields of Asphodel, for all who had led a blameless but ordinary life; or to Tartarus, a sunless land of punishment for criminals.
Hecate's best known role in Greek mythology was guiding Persephone, the goddess of spring, on her annual journeys between Hades and Earth. In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Hecate is portrayed as a nurturing and protective guide for Persephone on those annual journeys.
