The state’s $250 million bond bill has been criticized as irresponsible, leaving the state with too much debt in a time when revenue is lagging.

Included in the bill is $625,000 for a new fire station in Brookhaven, as well as $100,000 for “Lincoln County infrastructure improvements.”

The bill says the $100,000 will be used to assist Lincoln County in paying costs associated with infrastructure and infrastructure related projects at the Lincoln Civic Center. We’re guessing it’s money that can be used at the new baseball complex.

Aside from the issue of whether the state can afford to hand out money for such projects, Treasurer Lynn Fitch wrote that the bond bill contains projects that don’t meet basic standards for issuing bonds.

She wrote that bonds must be for specific projects under IRS rules, and not just general allotments for infrastructure for cities and counties. About $1 million of the bond bill appears to be allocated for general infrastructure spending in specific areas, The Associated Press reported.

Considering the $100,000 for Lincoln County is specified for infrastructure projects, it looks like the money doesn’t belong in a bond bill. The state’s Bond Commission will ultimately decide if the project will be funded.

Republican leaders of the House and Senate committees that borrow money say the amount of borrowing is prudent because Mississippi is paying off large amounts of bond debt soon. They also say some horse-trading is necessary to win votes for overall borrowing, AP reported.

For a party that champions less government spending, it’s interesting to see so many Republican legislators with their hands out when it’s time to pass a bond bill — especially those who identify with the tea party that vowed to end pork barrel spending.