Crazy Earmark: $173,000 for The Scottish Rite Temple in Bloomington, Il

            Smack dab in the middle of H.R. 27641 (for 2008) you will find $175,000 (minus a mandatory 1.56% reduction) earmarked for the Scottish Rite Temple in Bloomington, Illinois, by Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL),to be distributed by the National Park Service’s “Save America’s Treasures” account.

            Okay, so this seems like no big deal, right? This is probably some facility in Bloomington that holds enough historical value for every single American to dole out some of their hard-earned money to save. After all, the federal government seems to think it is important enough that they are willing to put the country farther into debt (even if by just this teensy-weensy amount) to support it. If we as a people have elected these people and entrusted them with our money, then surely we must all agree that this is a worthwhile cause for all of America to support, right?

            Maybe you’re catching some of my sarcasm. If you are, good. Read on. If you aren’t, then you should still read on. Then reread and maybe you will catch on to the sarcasm.

            First, let’s give the all-important history lesson on the Scottish Rite Temple and then we will pick apart why this was a horrible idea for an earmark.

            The Scottish Rite Temple in Bloomington, Illinois, was built in 1921 to be a home for the American Passion Play. The building’s name was derived from the builders and supporters of the theater, members of the Scottish Rite of the freemasonry fraternity. The facility includes a 1,320 seat theater and a ballroom that can fit 1,000 seated diners. The area’s premier civic center for most of its existence, the Temple hosted plays, musicals, symphonies, orchestras, and bands. It also hosted thousands of weddings, receptions, conventions, and exhibits.

            In 2000, the city of Bloomington formed the Bloomington Cultural District and assumed ownership of the aging building. They wanted to use it as a centerpiece for a cultural center in the city, putting together a $3.5 million renovation project to update and add to the building, renaming it the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. In that same year, the city council approved a ¼ percent city sales tax increase to fund the project and the rehabilitation of the area around it (which would cost another $11.5 million). The sales tax was to go through 2010, providing enough funding at $1.5 million a year for the project to be completed and paid for by the people who would benefit from the project – the citizens of Bloomington and visitors to the area.