The NRCC sees Alan Grayson of Florida as one of the more vulnerable Democratic congressmen heading into the 2010 cycle. Usually when a member of the House tries to bring a big federal project to his district, the local press covers the upside. But the Orlando Sentinel can’t find any way to justify $50 million on a new national hurricane research center in that city.

Mr. Grayson says the center in Orlando would be affiliated with NOAA and could be tied to the University of Central Florida.
But UCF doesn’t even offer a meteorology degree. It does some worthy research into beach erosion and other climate issues related to hurricanes, but even UCF doesn’t pretend that it’s among the leading institutions on hurricane research. Why should Mr. Grayson?
Why, in fact, didn’t he even bother to first talk to UCF officials before working to get funding for a research center that could heavily involve them? . . .
There’s an excellent chance the $50 million won’t ever make its way to Orlando. It’s not mentioned in the House bill. And the Senate has yet to take up the bill. But Mr. Grayson will promote to his constituents the commitment he secured for the research center, and the jobs it will create. In fact, he already has.
But it may never happen. And it’s not needed. Congress should show financial restraint.
We’re all for bringing new jobs to Central Florida, but not like this.

They call the project “Category 5 Waste.”