It is an age-old debate that has taken on new life during tough economic times.

Money is tight, but members of Congress are still requesting millions of dollars in funding for local projects. Some call the requests earmarks, others call them pork.

People protested earmarks at last week's tea parties, and groups like Citizens Against Government Waste keep track of the various requests made by members of Congress and push for greater transparency in government.

"There is no such thing as a good earmark," said Leslie Paige, spokeswoman for Citizens Against Government Waste, a private, Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization birthed during the Reagan era to combat mismanagement and inefficiency.