Some of the Christmas Gifts Congress Is About to Hand Out

(Fox News) - It is estimated there are 11,331 earmarks in the appropriations bills working their way through Congress. That is said to be a 426 percent increase over last year.

Here are some of the more interesting ways your federal tax money may be spent —
$2 million for the Charles Rangel Center for Public Service at New York City College,
$1 million for a river walk in Massachusetts, $700,000 for a bike trail in Minnesota.

Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska wants $975,000 for berry research. And Republican Congressman Rodney Alexander has requested $1.6 million for bulletproof vests and body armor for the police department of Bastrop, Louisiana — which has a population under 13,000. Police say they don't need anywhere near that much for vests — but are happy to spend it on other equipment.