pork barrel

noun3

1. •
   [before a noun] (US) State funds as assigned for local or regional expenditure; especially, central money used for regional projects which are eyecatching or designed to appeal to voters.

   • As the President said in his veto message, "It should also come as no surprise that over time the program has attained distinct flavor of pork barrel." — 1973
2. •
   (US) A ready supply of income; one's livelihood.
3. •
   (no longer used) A barrel used to store pork.