The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) expressed concerned about the “Big Tech Accountability Platform” released by recent Chair of the House Republican Conference – and incoming ranking member of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee – Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.).
Most lawmakers and policymakers agree that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is in dire need of reform. Unfortunately, many suggestions for America’s mail carrier to get back into the black fail to address the root causes of the agency’s problems.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) lambasted President Biden’s prospective “Buy American” executive order, which would require government agencies to purchase American made products. This will have profoundly negative effects on the economy, especially in the midst of a global pandemic.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance and Heritage Action spearheaded and released a coalition letter with 26 other free market and taxpayer groups to urge the Senate to keep the filibuster. In part, the letter read, “The legislative filibuster is an essential part of ensuring a strong system of checks and balances.”
As traditional tobacco revenues continue to decline, lawmakers across the country are considering applying the same excise taxes – or sin taxes – on electronic cigarettes and vapor products. Numerous studies have shown that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than combustible cigarettes and have helped many smokers quit smoking and remain smoke-free. Lawmakers should refrain from enacting excise taxes on such products, as excise taxes are used to deter behavior.
Despite a raging pandemic, we all still have plenty to be grateful for as we approach the end of 2020. A vaccine to end the dreaded coronavirus may finally be nearing approval and entrepreneurs continue to innovate to make our lives bearable during an unbearable time. And, thanks to advances in telecommunications technology, we can all be with our families during Thanksgiving whichever way we choose to. But enough of the gravy; this Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without some turkeys. There’s no shortage of turkeys in the halls of power, wasting hard-earned taxpayer dollars and pushing for needless regulations to reduce options for consumers. And, just as no tech company is a monopoly (sorry, antitrust zealots), no political party or institution has a monopoly on implementing fowl policies. Below, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) presents the Taxpayer Turkeys of 2020:
Despite these alarming numbers, President-elect Joe Biden seems intent to nominate for his cabinet some of the same officials who helped get us into this mess. Perhaps none are more emblematic of this trend than the prospective new Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. Vilsack previously served as head of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the entirety of the Obama administration. This will be his second go-round at USDA and – if it is anything like his first – our economy and taxpayers are in deep trouble.
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing taxpayers, consumers, and free market advocates across the nation, we write in strong opposition to proposals from across the ideological spectrum to change substantive antitrust standards that encourage courts to break up and destroy American technology companies. While we sometimes are concerned with the actions of these companies, as long-time supporters of free markets and free expression, we are troubled to see that some fellow conservatives would try to use the sledgehammer of big government to attack companies they may disagree with on a political or ideological basis.
As lawmakers attempt to address youth use of age- restricted products, including electronic cigarettes and vapor products, some policymakers are seeking to ban online sales of such products. Although addressing youth use is laudable, many youths are not relying on the internet to obtain e-cigarettes. Further, a ban on online sales would drastically impact adult former smokers in remote areas who rely on e-cigarettes and vapor products to remain smoke-free.
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), a nonpartisan taxpayer and consumer watchdog group, congratulates newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden but is concerned that some of the President’s early executive actions run counter to his promises of unity and stability. TPA Vice President of Policy Patrick Hedger offered the following statement and analysis:
