Senators go to bat over Billings ballpark funding

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Writer - 09/13/2007

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday turned back an attempt to strike $500,000 in federal funding to help rebuild Cobb Field in Billings, Mont.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., offered an amendment to strip the earmark, along with a few others, from a transportation spending bill. The Senate voted 63-32 to reject Coburn’s amendment, keeping the money in the bill.

Coburn, a frequent critic of funding for state local projects inserted into bills, argued that money would be better spent on road repairs.

‘‘The American people understand that transportation earmarks often have more to do with a politician’s re-election campaign than the true priorities of each state’s department of transportation,’’ he said.

Montana’s two Democratic senators angrily fought the amendment. They said rebuilding the field, a wooden structure that has deteriorated, will bring economic development to Billings.

‘‘This new stadium will spur redevelopment efforts and revitalization of the area,’’ said Sen. Max Baucus. ‘‘Over 100,000 people attended events at Cobb Field last year. For a state with 900,000 people, that’s a lot.’’

The Billings Mustangs, a minor league team, played their final game there last week. Crews began tearing down the field this week. Voters approved a $12.5 million replacement stadium last fall.

Sen. Jon Tester said the new stadium will play a major role in the Billings community.

‘‘That’s why they voted to raise their own taxes by several million dollars to rebuild it,’’ he said.

In his successful election campaign against Republican Sen. Conrad Burns last year, Tester criticized the earmark process in Washington. He said then that the system was not transparent enough.

In a speech on the floor Tuesday, Tester defended his support of the Billings earmark.

‘‘I’m standing here today to vigorously defend why I requested this funding project in the light of day,’’ Tester said. ‘‘And I’m going to bat for it because Cobb Field deserves funding. There are no secrets here. There is no waste.’’

Coburn’s amendment would have also struck funding for the International Peace Garden in North Dakota and other local projects.