State funding of local improvements has been referred to in the press by a variety of terms including “earmarks,” “local investments,” and “projects.” Of course, funding local improvements is part of what our state government should do. No one seems to complain about state government funding specific improvements for colleges or universities or other similar arms of government. And the General Assembly is the constitutionally appropriate body of government to decide how the state budget is spent, including the funding of local governments and local government improvements. Is it appropriate for the state governmental branch of government closest to the people to invest taxpayer funds in the governments closest to the people- it’s a no brainer!