Jan 01, 2008 — The day after Christmas, President Bush signed a $555 billion spending bill. It allows the federal government to operate for another year. It also includes almost 10,000 member items, pet projects for the home districts of individual lawmakers. One of Senator Hillary Clinton's earmarks is almost $200,000 to extend broadband Internet access to rural St. Lawrence County. The money comes through the county Chamber of Commerce. Pat McKeown is the chamber's interim director. She told David Sommerstein towns like Canton, Potsdam, Massena, and Ogdensburg are covered for high-speed Internet access. The challenge now is to serve outlying communities.