Politicians of all stripes have long reveled in announcements of government grants and programs to benefit their constituencies. Political observers say Vice President Al Gore has raised the process to a fine art -- handing out $12.8 billion in government funds just since the 1996 election.

Analysts note that he has concentrated his announcements and handouts in California, Texas, Florida and Louisiana -- the first three states because they are so big, Louisiana because it has an early presidential caucus.

Here are some of his announcements:

• Some $3.6 million for a new San Diego police station and $8.4 million for school earthquake preparedness in the San Fernando Valley.

• In Texas, $14 million in juvenile justice grants for Houston, $45 million for dislocated apparel workers in El Paso, $80 million for job training in San Antonio and $1.8 billion for school construction bond guarantees statewide.

• Then $35 million for job training and welfare-to-work grants in Florida and $44 million for a comprehensive school reform program in Louisiana.

Since January 1, Gore has announced $4.7 billion in actual spending and proposed $21.7 billion more in spending.

The proposals include:

• A "Clinton-Gore Livability Agenda" costing $8.55 billion for parks and reduced traffic congestion.

• Some $60 million for dredging and deepening New York Harbor, along with $312 million for Everglades restoration in Florida.

• In California, $3 billion for several programs, including Hispanic education, food stamps and health benefits for immigrants, and technology research.

For every campaign dollar Gore has raised, he has handed out more than $1,400 in taxpayers' money.

Source: Merrill Matthews Jr. (National Center for Policy Analysis), "Road to the Pork House 2000," Investor's Business Daily, April 12, 1999.