Read more about the article Concerning Development in the Heartland

Concerning Development in the Heartland

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:

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Read more about the article Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

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.

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Read more about the article TPA Leads Coalition Letter Opposing the Breakup of Big Tech Companies

TPA Leads Coalition Letter Opposing the Breakup of Big Tech Companies

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.

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Read more about the article Testimony before the North Dakota Senate Committee on Industry, Business and Labor Regarding Taxing Electronic Cigarettes and Vapor Products

Testimony before the North Dakota Senate Committee on Industry, Business and Labor Regarding Taxing Electronic Cigarettes and Vapor Products

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.

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Read more about the article TPA Congratulates President Biden, Expresses Concern Over Initial Executive Actions

TPA Congratulates President Biden, Expresses Concern Over Initial Executive Actions

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:

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Read more about the article The $2.6 Trillion Stimulus Was One Heck of a Holiday Bonus for Defense Contractors

The $2.6 Trillion Stimulus Was One Heck of a Holiday Bonus for Defense Contractors

America’s debt has more than doubled over the past ten years, skyrocketing from $13 trillion to more than $27 trillion over just two presidential administrations. And, despite successive presidents’ promises to “wind down” conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the defense budget has only gone in one direction— up.

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Read more about the article Testimony before the North Dakota Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Regarding Taxing Electronic Cigarettes and Vapor Products​

Testimony before the North Dakota Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Regarding Taxing Electronic Cigarettes and Vapor Products​

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.

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Read more about the article New Congress Must Slash Spending

New Congress Must Slash Spending

The federal government is spending far beyond its means, putting taxpayers on the hook for trillions of dollars in debt. Nextgov Executive Editor Frank Konkel notes, “Two months into fiscal 2021, the federal government has spent nearly twice as much money as it has taken in through revenue after posting a 14th consecutive month of deficit spending.”

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Read more about the article President-elect Biden Must Steer Clear of the WHO

President-elect Biden Must Steer Clear of the WHO

The world is slowly approaching a full year of coronavirus lockdowns. The pandemic and the crushing lockdowns that followed caught many by surprise and off guard. Yet, while most mark the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as somewhere in late February or early March, the World Health Organization (WHO) knew about this virus well before then. And, given their early reaction, it’s no wonder this crisis has lasted as long – or been as destructive – as it has.

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