The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) criticized the proposal by the Biden administration to raise the capital gains tax rate to 43.4 percent for investors. This is an effective doubling of the rate and would severely stifle investment and innovation in the American economy at a time when we can least afford to do so.
After passing a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, Congress is far from being done spending money this year. Next on the agenda is an infrastructure package that will likely end up carrying a price tag in the neighborhood of $3 trillion. Despite its marketing, this package is not limited to bridges, roads or what one would normally think when they hear “infrastructure.” Just ask Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) who tweeted that many things, including childcare, should be considered as infrastructure. One of the more odious provisions being shepherded through as infrastructure is a $174 billion giveaway to the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) applauds lawmakers for taking a different approach to healthcare by pursuing more free market, transparent solutions. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19), introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.) contains several provisions that should serve as a roadmap for effective healthcare policy and steers clear of the anti-innovation model put forward in H.R. 3.
While running for reelection in 2012, then-President Barack Obama defended the progressive economic agenda of greater wealth redistribution with the now infamous line, “If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen.” Republicans correctly skewered him for that proclamation because it was a deeply insulting remark to the countless entrepreneurs and critical institutions that protect private citizens and their property and have helped make America the most prosperous nation in history. That wasn’t a one-off gaffe from Obama, either, but a genuine reflection of his worldview. Remember the Life of Julia video, also from 2012? It told the story of a woman’s life entirely through the lens of her reliance on government programs. Conservatives recoiled in horror.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is very concerned about the potential passage of legislation through the Florida state government that curbs the constitutional rights of online service providers.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is urging Senate Republicans to “Just Say No!” to bringing back earmarks. Earmarks are, at their core, corrupt giveaways that unnecessarily burden American taxpayers.
As lawmakers attempt to address youth use of age- restricted products, including electronic e-cigarette and vapor products, some policymakers are seeking to ban sales of flavored tobacco and vapor products. Although addressing youth use is laudable, policymakers should refrain from policies that would restrict adult access to tobacco harm reduction products, as well as implementing policies that further subvert adult choices, such as is the case with the proposal to ban flavors in tobacco and vapor products.
For whatever it is worth, nicotine does not cause cancer. Even the FDA acknowledges this fact, noting that it “is the mix of chemicals – not nicotine – that causes serious disease and death in tobacco users.” Eliminating smoking is a worthy goal. Many smokers want to quit, but reducing nicotine consumption is not an effective policy to address the underlying issue of why adults continue to consume a deadly product. Such a move is likely to confuse smokers – and health professionals – even more and push them away from tobacco harm reduction products as fear continues to mount over nicotine. The Biden administration should look towards policies that push smokers towards reduced-risk products that do contain nicotine, but not the deadly chemicals associated with combustible tobacco products.
Across the country, local and state lawmakers are proposing to enact new taxes and/or increasing existing excise taxes on e-cigarettes. Some are introducing these measures ostensibly to address youth vaping. Others want to impose taxes that match existing cigarette and other tobacco taxes. A few—like West Virginia Governor Jim Justice—have introduced outrage vapor taxes in order to generate the revenue to eliminate other taxes.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) expressed disappointment that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) has opted to co-sponsor The Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill would expand the definition of employee by narrowing the definition of independent contractors. The legislation is also a massive giveaway to labor unions by nullifying the right-to-work laws in 28 states.
