Page 274 – Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Taxpayers Protection Alliance Congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump

Post author:David Williams
Post published:November 9, 2016
Post category:Defense Government Waste Regulation Spending Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump for his victory last night. Without question, the country clearly spoke with a voice that wants change in Washington. With a $19 trillion debt, an economy that continues to struggle, agency regulations running wild, and an antiquated tax system, there are plenty of problems to solve and no time to waste. From more than $136 billion in improper payments to a wasteful and unnecessary catfish program, spending has spiraled out of control. Spending reduction and waste elimination must be a top priority for the new administration. Congressional earmarks are still a problem, despite a ban. Last year, TPA identified 365 earmarks worth $14.8 billion in the Defense spending bill. President-elect Trump must veto any spending bill with earmarks. Instead of increasing the Pentagon’s budget, President-elect Trump must insist on an audit of the Pentagon immediately. Auditing the Pentagon enjoys bipartisan support and it is the law of the land that must finally be followed. It is important for national and fiscal security to audit the Pentagon.Comprehensive tax reform is an absolute must for the new administration and TPA is encouraged by some of the things that have been said during the campaign. Click "read more" below for the full statement

Taxpayer-Funded UN Anti-Tobacco Convention Closes Out the Press

Post author:Kevin Mooney
Post published:November 7, 2016
Post category:International Regulation Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article originally appeared in The Washington Examiner on November 1, 2016 Calling all media with an interest in healthcare policy, international relations and government accountability: The taxpayer-funded World Health Organization is holding a meeting in New Delhi next week that could have significant public policy ramifications. But you're not invited. Neither are members of the public who foot the bill for WHO's activities and other critical stakeholders who provide critical insight into pressing questions on the intersection of healthcare and law enforcement. So, what gives? Why such secrecy?

TPA Submits Comments to Postal Regulatory Commission on Proposed Rate Increase

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 4, 2016
Post category:Comments and Testimony Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This week, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance submitted the following comment to the Postal Regulatory Commission: The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), representing millions of people from across the country, has previously commented to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on the dockets for the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) annual compliance report and on the PRC’s preparations for its report to Congress. In these proceedings, TPA discussed USPS’ perilous financial position – specifically as it relates to the potential exposure of this insurmountable debt to American taxpayers – and to the consistent willingness to allow the agency to obscure its fiscal details in such a manner that spoils opportunities to ascertain possible solutions to the ongoing problems. Click "read more" below to see the full comment

DOJ Wants To Overturn Microsoft V. United States – That Would Be A Disaster For Privacy Rights

Post author:David Williams
Post published:November 3, 2016
Post category:Congress Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)Taxpayers Protection Alliance Telecommunications

This article appeared in Independent Journal Review on October 27, 2016 In July, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York overturned a ruling in Microsoft v. United States that forced Microsoft to hand over private email correspondence and other data to US law enforcement from servers based in Dublin, Ireland. It was a victory for privacy because the Department of Justice (DOJ) was unable to force compliance of the Stored Communications Act. But last week, the DOJ expressed interest in re-hearing Microsoft v. United States, once again jeopardizing domestic and international privacy rights. If the decision is overturned, not only will Microsoft’s security be threatened, but so too will all foreign nations that house data owned by any US-based company.

Amendment 72: Colorado Voters Should Reject Massive Tobacco Tax Increase

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 2, 2016
Post category:Election Michi Iljazi Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article originally appeared in The Complete Colorado on October 18, 2016 Among the many bad measures on Colorado’s November ballot is Amendment 72, which would triple Colorado’s tobacco tax, with the goal of raising over $300 million in annual revenue, create new government programs, and expand existing ones. Amendment 72 would lock that new revenue and spending in to the state constitution, outside the oversight of the General Assembly, and outside the revenue limits in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). But, a look at similar initiatives from states around the country shows that these types of tax increases amount to little more than Fools’ Gold in generating revenue. If the amendment passes, it will not only raise tobacco taxes, it will also give state agencies a blank check to spend the money wherever they want because there are no specific areas designated for the spending. That lack of clarity should raise an alarm for any voter who cares about fiscally responsible government.

TPA Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Derail New Regulatory Efforts by the Department of Transportation

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 1, 2016
Post category:Congress Cronyism Michi Iljazi Regulation Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Federal regulators have been among the most active bureaucrats in Washington under the Obama Administration. A recent report showed that regulations have cost nearly $2 trillion in economic activity. Now, some bureaucrats want to combine two of the worst practices in D.C.- regulation and cronyism. The Surface Transportation Board (STB), housed within the U.S. Department of Transportation, is looking to shift policy and alter regulations in order to impose new mandates and price controls on freight railroad carriers. After deregulation, the industry has proven to be a major asset to the U.S. economy and re-regulating would no doubt harm that impact. It would also be another example of the government picking winners and losers as the STB seeks to changing the rules so that rail carriers with largest revenue get to handle the cars of competing carriers at an artificially low rate. Last week Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) joined a coalition letter sent by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) urging Congress to take action and stop the STB from moving forward on their current track. Click 'read more' below to see the full letter

TPA's Tricks and Treats for 2016

Post author:David Williams
Post published:October 28, 2016
Post category:Bailout Catfish Congress Defense Environmental Protection Agency Government Waste Healthcare Lame Duck Michi Iljazi Obamacare Plain Packaging Sharing Economy Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Halloween is just around the corner! Families across America will soon be ready to celebrate with candy, costumes, and fun! The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is preparing for the “scary season” in a much different way by watching what government has done to spook taxpayers this past year. You guessed it, it’s time for TPA’s annual Taxpayer Tricks and Treats! This year, there’s no shortage for taxpayers to be terrified by with wasteful spending, missed opportunities, and the frightening prospect of lawmakers returning for some last minute scares! Not to worry, there were some treats. They weren’t easy to find, but we found some. And, we wrapped up the list with items that were tricks and treats. ENJOY!!

TPA Releases Statement on FCC Broadband Privacy Vote

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 27, 2016
Post category:Broadband Internet Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) reacted to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler’s newest attempt at agency overreach as new regulations on broadband privacy rules for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) passed by a vote of 3-2. On Thursday, the FCC approved new authority for the Chairman and the agency as it relates to the personal information of consumers using the Internet. Privacy is an important concern for Americans, especially as technology continues to advance for consumers. Chairman Wheeler contends that the FCC should have a larger role in how privacy issues are handled when it comes to what information consumers are giving to ISPs, despite the fact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has traditionally had jurisdiction over online privacy, and they have challenged the idea that web browsing and app usage should be subject to the kinds of regulations that Chairman Wheeler is proposing. In reality, this is just another shameless attempt to give the agency more control over the Internet that should be open. Click 'read more' below to see the full statement

Commentary: An Opposing View on Government-Owned Broadband

Post author:David Williams
Post published:October 26, 2016
Post category:Broadband Government Waste Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This piece originally appeared in The Canton Repository on October 19, 2016 The Canton Repository Editorial Board reacted to the release of the Stark County Broadband Task Team’s broadband feasibility study by stating that they were “encouraged” to see the Task Team taking steps forward, but also cautioning that “big questions” related to the project remain unanswered. For readers who might not yet be familiar with that study, it is designed to determine if a municipal broadband network is feasible in Stark County. The new study projects an approximate cost of $22.5 million dollars to build the new broadband network. The Editorial Board makes one very good point about the cost when noting that, “how the county would be able to afford it is another question.” Taxpayers need to know the financial risks associated with the project and the feasibility test certainly shows that taxpayer money is going to be at risk if the project moves forward. An earlier editorial noted that other U.S. cities have conducted similar studies. That’s true. One of those studies was done in Seattle, Wash., the city that exemplifies technology. Seattle looked at the feasibility of a citywide, taxpayer-funded broadband network a handful of times and each time public officials dismissed the notion. After the latest effort carried out last year, city officials acknowledged it would be nearly impossible for the city network to break even on an annual basis and that persistent yearly deficits would put funding for other government programs at risk.

The UN Wants to Tax Your Soda

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:October 25, 2016
Post category:Taxes

Anthony McAuliffe is an associate with the Property Rights Alliance and Americans for Tax Reform. This piece originally appeared here on the ATR website. The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) released a report recommending that all countries levy a steep excise tax on soft drinks of at least 20 percent. The proposal represents a dangerous new precedent whereby international organizations will encroach on national sovereignty by telling nations how to tax their own citizens. The recommendations further represent a restriction of choice on global citizens, as well as an ineffective way to combat the global issue of obesity.