Page 283 – Taxpayers Protection Alliance

TPA Reminds House of $11 Billion in Earmarks in Defense Spending Bill

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 15, 2016
Post category:Appropriations Congress Defense Earmarks Government Accountability Office House Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the House moves closer a final vote on more than $500 billion fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations Act, it is important to remind lawmakers of the waste that is in the bill. TPA combed through the legislation and found 235 earmarks totaling $11.1 billion (click here to see the full list) that were not requested by the Pentagon and inserted by members of Congress. These earmarks show that Congress’ self-imposed earmark ban is nothing more than a lie to taxpayers. There were many familiar wasteful projects on the list, including the F-35, the Littoral Combat Ship, and the Abrams Tank. All of these programs have been notorious for their waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars and have not been requested by the Pentagon.

District Court Doubles Down on Flawed Net Neutrality Rules

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 14, 2016
Post category:Internet Michi Iljazi Net Neutrality Regulation Taxpayers Protection Alliance Telecommunications

Washington, D.C.- Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit came out with their long-awaited decision regarding net neutrality. And, the news was bad for taxpayers and consumers as the District Court of Appeals upheld the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) power grab of the Internet known as Net Neutrality. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has long since warned against increased regulatory measures on the Internet noting that the Internet has thrived because government has, up until now, kept a light regulatory touch on the Internet. Quick reacting business and free market forces will keep the Internet thriving, not slow unresponsive government bureaucracies. A new regulatory regime for the Internet would stifle innovation and cost taxpayers millions of dollars in a newly created bureaucracy. In response to this decision, TPA President David Williams issued the following statement. Click 'read more' below to see the full statement

Coalition of Nearly 100 Groups to Congress: Support H.R. 5053

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 14, 2016
Post category:Congress House Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been criticized (rightfully so) when it comes to how the agency has been treating taxpayers and taxpayer information. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) strongly believes that the agency that enforces tax law should be working for the taxpayer, not instilling fear in them. Keeping that in mind, combined with recent revelations of just how widespread the IRS targeting scandal was, TPA sent this letter, signed by over 90 organizations, to the House yesterday calling on Congress to support H.R. 5053, the “Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act,” sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.). The legislation would eliminate the Schedule B form for 501(c) organizations, which includes identifiable information of contributors to 501(c) organizations. This information is irrelevant to the routine handling of 501(c) organization tax filings and will help make tax compliance easier. The IRS doesn’t need the form, and eliminating it will help to curb possible targeting in the future. Click 'read more' below to see the full letter

EPA's Costly Legacy Of Neglect And Scandal Spills Into Puerto Rico

Post author:David Williams
Post published:June 13, 2016
Post category:Clean Power Plan Environmental Protection Agency

This article appeared in The Daily Caller on June 8, 2016 As the Obama administration winds down, the tenure of Gina McCarthy as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency will go down in history as a bewildering and frustrating abuse of taxpayer money. For eight years, the White House has put all its efforts into headline-grabbing climate change proposals, but its environmental legacy here at home has been marked with scandal and neglect. McCarthy’s EPA has waged war on good faith players in the private sector, while turning a blind eye to appalling public sector scandals where state and local government entities poisoned entire communities.

TPA Leads Coalition Urging HHS to Release Obamacare 2017 Rate Increases

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 10, 2016
Post category:Healthcare Michi Iljazi Obamacare Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Obamacare continues to face problems all across the country, including a growing scandal with the failure of Cover Oregon that is now under investigation. Aside from the increasing amount of failed state-based exchanges that have wasted billions of dollars in taxpayer money, there is also an exodus from Obamacare by some of the nation’s largest insurers. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance continues to call for a plan to repeal Obamacare and pass real reforms that will help to drive down health care costs for families and provide more choices for those in the marketplace. However, with Obamacare still in place for at least the near-term, families are going to see their health care costs rise. That’s why this week, TPA led a coalition and sent this letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell calling on the agency to release the 2017 rate increases for Obamacare as soon as possible, instead of waiting until November. Families across the country are hurting financially, and they need more than just a few months in order to make decisions on how they will pay for rising health care costs due to Obamacare. Cliick 'read more' below to see the full letter

Coalition to Philadelphia City Council: No New Soda Tax!

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 8, 2016
Post category:Michi Iljazi Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Today in Philadelphia, lawmakers will take a crucial vote on an important issue for taxpayers and consumers. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance has always been a staunch opponent of regressive and excessive taxation, and espeically when it comes to targeted tax increases that will harm the middle class. The plan from Mayor Jim Kenney would impose a 3 cents-per-ounce tax on more than 1,000 beverages. The plan is bad idea for taxpayers, consumers, and local businesses and TPA opposes the proposal and urges the city council to reject such a harmful tax increase on Philly resiodents. Yesterday, led by Capitol Allies, a broad coalition of taxpayer and free market groups (including TPA) sent this coalition letter to the Philadelphia City Council asking them to vote no. TPA will keep a close eye on this imoportant vote, hoping that local elected officials do the right thing for taxpayers. Click 'read more' below to see the full letter

The FCC and Google, Too Close for Comfort

Post author:David Williams
Post published:June 7, 2016
Post category:Broadband Net Neutrality Taxpayers Protection Alliance Telecommunications

Cronyism continues to be a problem in Washington with federal agencies creating regulations and policies that favor one company over other companies. There is no more blatant example of this than what seems to be happening with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Google. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has consistently promulgated rules and regulations that benefit Google more than other companies in the tech industry. Chairman Wheeler came to the FCC and promised to be a fair-minded Chairman who would run the agency listening to all ideas and being open to all approaches. But, the record reflects otherwise. The relationship between Google and the Obama Administration is well documented and it goes back years. A recent report examining White House visitor logs revealed that Johanna Shelton, Google’s director of public policy, has met with administration officials 128 times since President Barack Obama took the oath of office in 2009.

New Legislation Will Harm Consumer Choice for Contact Lenses

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 6, 2016
Post category:Congress Michi Iljazi Regulation Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article originally appeared in Inside Sources on May 17, 2016 One thing the government does better than any other institution is create problems where none exist. But, another thing the government also really excels at is making things worse for consumers. This is evident with new legislation that could harm consumers who want to buy contact lenses. The issue of contact lenses may not seem pressing, but with more than 40 million people in the United States who wear contact lenses, the implications could be massive.

Tax Reform, Not Overreaching Treasury Rules, the Answer to Restoring Competitiveness

Post author:David Williams
Post published:June 3, 2016
Post category:Congress Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article appeared in Morning Consult on May 17, 2016 Next month, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) is expected to unveil what was referred to in Politico in as a “comprehensive blueprint on where we want the tax code to go.” The goal is to prepare Congress to move on tax reform when a new President takes office next year. This news is encouraging for 2017, although the hope is that Congress takes some legislative action this year on overhauling our tax code, namely to put a stop to the U.S. Treasury Department’s foolish decision to punish American business with piecemeal regulations.

Battle Over Compulsory Licenses in Colombia Highlights Global Importance of IP

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:June 2, 2016
Post category:Intellectual Property Michi Iljazi Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has been a vocal supporter for strengthening intellectual property (IP) both in the United States and around the world. In the United States alone, more than 40 million jobs rely directly and indirectly on IP. There are constant threats to IP in the United States and around the world. Currently, discussions are being held in Colombia over the Novartis anti-cancer drug Glivec. The end result of these discussions could have implications for trade, IP, and business all over the world.