What some organizations call "pork-barrel spending" are projects a local Congressman calls crucial to his district.

17th District Congressman Phil Hare says his list of projects he'd like to see funded in the Fiscal Year 2009 federal budget is out, and there are a number of local projects, including funding for the long-talked-about railroad grade separations in Galesburg, a bike trail along South Lake Storey Road, funding for the City of Galesburg's new water treatment plant near Oquawka, among others.

Hare says he doesn't know for sure what will be approved or not, but he knows for sure what he's going to try hard to get for Galesburg.  "I talk to (Congressman) David Obey almost every day.  I'm going to every single subcommittee person I can," Hare said.  "I want to get money for that railroad overpass in Galesburg -- additional money.  I talked to (Congressman) Ray LaHood about it."  Obey is a Wisconsin Democrat serving on the House Budget and Appropriations Committees, while LaHood is the retiring Peoria Republican Congressman whose district also covers parts of Knox County.

Hare says he's pretty optimistic about his chances of getting most of the budget items funded that he's asked for.

"I hope, at the end of the day, we will do pretty well.  We did okay last time," Hare said.  "My job is to not just submit them but to try to work and get evey penny I can and that's what I am going to do."

Hare says he just wanted to be open about what he was asking for in the federal budget, so as to quash any rumors about any alleged pork before they happen.

For a list of the projects Rep. Hare is requesting money for in the FY 2009 federal budget, click here.