Washington, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) criticized members of Congress for voting for passage of H.R. 1, the “For the People Act.” This legislation will suppress political activism, drastically increase government campaign spending, and regulate political speech.
In 2019, New Mexico spent $5.7 million in state funding on tobacco control programs, including education, cessation, and prevention. This amounts to $21.98 per-smoker, and $11.98 per resident under age 18.
In Nebraska, in 2019, among current adult smokers, 26.2 percent reported annual incomes of less than $15,000 and 21.7 percent of current smokers reported earning between $15,000 and $24,999 per year. Almost half of all current adult smokers earned less than $24,999 per year in 2019. Nebraska increased the cigarette tax by $0.30 2002, to $0.64-per-pack, the increased taxes did lead to a 6.6 percent decrease in smoking rates among current smokers earning less than $15,000 a year. This decline was short lived, as in 2005, 32.9 percent of current smokers reported earning less than $15,000 per year.
In 1958, the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in NAACP v. Alabama that the state of Alabama’s proposal to force the NAACP to reveal their membership lists violated the organization’s due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. This case is still hailed today as a landmark decision for civil rights and privacy. Unfortunately, the spirit of that decision has come under threat in Washington. The proposed government reform bill H.R. 1, cynically named the “For the People” Act, would force all political organizations to disclose private donor information to the government.
On behalf of the millions of taxpayers and consumers the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) represents, we write to you today to strongly oppose H.R. 1, the so-called “For the People” Act. This legislation would waste millions of taxpayer dollars on political campaigns, create a partisan Federal Elections Commission (FEC), and damage free speech rights in America.
Alaska spent $9.1 million on tobacco control programs in 2019, or $94.82 per smoker per year. This is only 18.4 percent of what the state received in excise taxes in 2019 from Alaska adult smokers, based off a pack-a-day habit. When figuring amount spent on youth in the state, Alaska spent $10.56 per year on each resident under 18 years of age.
Progressives have been pushing for a financial transaction tax for years with very little support. Many seem to think the political winds are finally blowing in their direction after the disarray caused by the volatility in GameStop’s stock earlier this year. Despite the renewed fervor, a financial transaction tax was – and still is – an awful idea for the future the economy. Rational policymakers should continue to avoid it.
In today’s hyper charged political environment, it’s almost unheard-of for a prominent politician to regularly take on his or her own party. Yet, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) does it every day, placing a higher value on pursuing sound public policies rather than toeing the party line. In defying the Democratic disposition toward onerous regulations and high minimum wages, Sen. Manchin has made plenty of enemies during his time in Washington, D.C. But he’s also no Republican in disguise and has challenged GOP lawmakers to defy partisanship and work together on key pressing issues. Too often, policymakers will trade in their independent thinking for brazen self-interest once they become powerful enough. But even as “the most powerful man in Washington,” Sen. Manchin sticks to his guns and demands the very best of both parties. And for rising above the fray even when the going gets rough, Sen. Joe Manchin is a Profile in Courage.
As part of the Government Antitrust Accountability Project, Patrick Hedger, VP of Policy for TPA interviews an Ohio-based apparel company. The interview highlights how "Big Tech" has enabled their family owned T-shirt company to survive during the nationwide shutdowns.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) called for significant reform at the United States Postal Service (USPS) as Postmaster General (PMG) Louis DeJoy and other top USPS officials testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Despite pursuing cost-cutting reforms at the agency and shoring up the USPS’ fiscal position, PMG DeJoy has been repeatedly accused by lawmakers and President Biden of undermining America’s mail carrier. At the hearing today DeJoy is expected to correct the record and provide the latest mail service performance data. PMG DeJoy is also likely to detail future organizational reform efforts by the struggling agency.
