Page 317 – Taxpayers Protection Alliance

TPA Responds to news of Ruth Goldway being replaced at the Postal Regulatory Commission

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:December 4, 2014
Post category:Michi Iljazi

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) welcomes the news that Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Chair Ruth Goldway will be stepping down as Chair of the PRC effective immediately. TPA has been extremely critical of Ms. Goldway’s leadership of the PRC and her questionable judgment on issues ranging from proposed expansion of grocery delivery, to taxpayer funded international trips. Acting Chair Robert Taub, who will be taking over for Ms. Goldway, has a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for much needed reforms at the United States Postal Service (USPS). As acting PRC Chairman, Mr. Taub can halt the expedient expansion of the USPS grocery delivery service and push for the ending of Saturday mail delivery. TPA encourages acting Chairman Taub to do more than just spend taxpayer money taking trips and use his position to make meaningful changes that will set the USPS on a course of fiscal responsibility. The USPS is in desperate need of change in order to stop the billions of dollars in annual losses. TPA urges Chairman Taub to make the needed and responsible reforms necessary so that taxpayers won’t be left on the hook for the USPS’s financial failures.

How Taxpayers Can Get Burned by Solar Scams

Post author:Sean Paige
Post published:December 4, 2014
Post category:Energy Solar Taxpayers Protection Alliance

(This article originally appeared in the Ahwatukee Foothills News on November 22, 2014. Sean Paige is a senior fellow with the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.) “Buyer beware” is always a good rule of thumb when weighing some “deal” that seems too good to be true. But it should be “taxpayer beware” or “ratepayer beware” when the “deal” in question involves a solar power system, since the bargain being offered often involves pilfering from one pocket (taxpayers) to fill another (solar power companies). The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has been doing extensive research into the shadier side of solar energy. And one of many questionable practices we’ve seen is how some politically-connected solar companies have found sly ways to pocket tax credits for themselves that should be going to their customers. Here’s how the “deal” works. These companies discovered that if they lease rooftop solar systems, rather than sell them outright — something that appeals to homeowners confronted with the steep up-front costs of such systems — the companies themselves can claim the federal tax credits, as well as all state and local incentives that are being offered. They’re sometimes double- and triple-dipping, raking-in taxpayer money not just from Washington, D.C., but from state or local governments that offer subsidies. They’ve tapped a steady stream of taxpayer dollars to keep themselves afloat. And their growing army of lobbyists won’t surrender that revenue stream willingly, meaning the funds could keep flowing long after this industry should be standing on its own.

Narrow Political Fixes Don't Solve America's Serious Structural Problems

Post author:David Williams
Post published:December 2, 2014
Post category:Congress Spending Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The latest example of President Obama’s reliance on rhetoric over substance was in full view earlier last month after Republicans reclaimed control of the Senate in the midterm elections. The President tried to use language to soften up the American electorate by speaking to the fact that, unlike the last six years, he has plans for Democrats and Republicans to work together during his last two years in office. He focused on two issues—tax reform and infrastructure improvement—precisely because they are the only pressing issues around which there is broad agreement that changes must be enacted. But, the President has fallen short on a solution for both tax reform and infrastructure by tying the two issues together. He noted, “Traditionally both parties have been for creating jobs rebuilding our infrastructure — our roads, bridges, ports, waterways…I think we can hone in on a way to pay for it, through tax reform that closes loopholes and makes it more attractive for companies to create jobs here in the United States.” His comments went on to suggest that he favors closing the gaps in the in the Highway Trust Fund with revenues from a corporate tax holiday. A corporate tax holiday, or repatriation, would allow companies to bring profits made overseas back to the United States at a reduced tax rate. This gimmick would serve to plug a temporary hole but fix none of the underlying structural issues with our tax code. With both Republicans and Democrats seemingly willing to work together, an opportunity like tax reform should not be so limited in scope.

Cyber Monday Arrives Amidst Uncertainty On Internet Taxes

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:December 1, 2014
Post category:Congress Continuing Resolution Internet Marketplace Fairness Act Michi Iljazi Taxes Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Today is “Cyber Monday,” the busiest online shopping day of the season. And, with millions of Americans grabbing as many deals as they can from their favorite websites, there’s no better time to remind elected officials that the time is now to permanently extend the moratorium on internet access taxes; and to tell lawmakers that an Internet sales tax has no place in an ever-expanding online economy. The total tally for online shopping won’t be know for a few days, but Cyber Monday will certainly bring in a great deal of online sales to many businesses. Lawmakers should look at last year’s numbers as their guide as to why the Internet should remain free of taxes. According to data obtained shortly after last year’s Cyber Monday (December 2, 2013) online sales totaled more than $2 billion and shoppers were going online to buy with more than just a computer, according to USA Today.

Online Gambling Fight In Need Of Consistency From Politicians

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 28, 2014
Post category:Congress Internet Gambling Michi Iljazi Regulation Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This article originally apeared in The Hill on November 15, 2014 Update* TPA signed onto a coalition letter last week expressing concerns about H.R. 4301 The recent midterm elections sent a powerful message to politicians nationwide that Americans are frustrated with government intrusion into their lives. Obamacare played a central role in the elections as one in four voters said that healthcare was a top issue. Republicans have argued that Obamacare is an issue that should be left up to those at the state level and the federal government shouldn’t be mandating healthcare decisions. Similarly, there should be an emphasis on letting people in the states decide their own future when it comes to online gambling, especially as the issue may be creeping up on Congress once again. Unfortunately, some of the same Republicans that see the threat to individual liberty on healthcare want the federal government to legislate what the states can do about online gambling. In early 2014 a Nevada coalition of gambling companies began pushing for legislation aiming to fix the 1961 Wire Act with a new draft bill. H.R.4301 - Restoration of America's Wire Act, introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) would ban online gambling at the federal level.

TPA Presents the Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014!

Post author:David Williams
Post published:November 26, 2014
Post category:Broadband Catfish Chattanooga EPB Congress Internet Michi Iljazi Net Neutrality Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Tomorrow, millions of people will gather around their dinner table with their friends and family to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. There are many things that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has to be thankful for, but sadly for taxpayers there is a great deal not to be thankful for and TPA thought it would be timely to once again take some time to highlight some of the biggest ‘bird’ens on taxpayers this year with the Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014! This year there were five, two more than last year! The Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014 are the Catfish Program, Obamacare, National Institutes of Health, Chattanooga EPB, and Net Neutrality! Watch the video below to see some of the best of the worst that taxpayers shouldn’t be thankful for this year. Click here to see the video!

Taxpayers Are Hoping They Don't Get Thrown Under the Omnibus

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 25, 2014
Post category:Congress Continuing Resolution Defense Earmarks Michi Iljazi Omnibus Appropriations Spending Taxpayers Protection Alliance

With the Congress in a short Lame Duck recess (slated to return next week) and the government running out of funding on December 11th, it is nearing the point where there will be some type of legislation needed to keep the government open for the remainder of the year and into 2015. The real question right now is what type of stopgap funding measure will there be from Congress to make sure the government remains open for business after the latest Continuing Resolution (passed in September) expires. Will it be another CR? Or will there be a massive omnibus spending bill headed to the President’s desk? If it is the latter, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) will be concerned and taxpayers should be too with the possibility of earmarks being inserted into the bill. Though earmarks were banned, lawmakers have found a way around the process and they continue to be a problem. Right now the tide appears to be with the Omnibus, and there are reports out that show there’s not even interest in a short-term Continuing Resolution. John T. Bennett of Defense News said this much last week in an article Thursday.

TPA Presents the Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014!

Post author:David Williams
Post published:November 24, 2014
Post category:Broadband Catfish Chattanooga EPB Congress Internet Michi Iljazi Net Neutrality Taxpayers Protection Alliance

This week, millions of people will gather around their dinner table with their friends and family to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. There are many things that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has to be thankful for, but sadly for taxpayers there is a great deal not to be thankful for and TPA thought it would be timely to once again take some time to highlight some of the biggest ‘bird’ens on taxpayers this year with the Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014! This year there were five, two more than last year! The Taxpayer Turkeys of 2014 are the Catfish Program, Obamacare, National Institutes of Health, Chattanooga EPB, and Net Neutrality! Watch the video below to see some of the best of the worst that taxpayers shouldn’t be thankful for this year. Click here to see the video!

TPA Joins Coalition Urging Reform on LRSAM Program

Post author:Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Post published:November 21, 2014
Post category:Congress Defense Michi Iljazi National Taxpayers Union Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Lame Duck Congress is headed home for Thanksgiving, but when they return there will still be work that must get done. Besides the fact that the government will run out of funding on December 11, there is also the expiring (again) moratorium on Internet Access Taxes and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA). On that note, it is important that Congress take a close look at what programs will be getting taxpayer funding and making sure that wasteful and unnecessary spending be eliminated. One program is to keep an eye on is the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), which the President is seeking 202.9 million for to continue development. TPA has written before (read here) why this program shouldn’t be getting taxpayer money at all, and last week this organization joined a coalition letter sent by National Taxpayers Union and signed by 60 Plus Association, Americans for Tax Reform, Campaign for Liberty, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, Coalition to Reduce Spending, and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste urging a reduction of spending on LRASM. While there are many programs that waste money, when an NDAA is passed it would be a win for taxpayers should LRASM’s funding be reduced. To read the full letter, click 'read more' below

E-Rate Program Expands 123 Percent In New Proposal

Post author:Will Rinehart
Post published:November 20, 2014
Post category:Taxes

(Will Rinehart is the Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at American Action Forum, this post originally appeared on the AAF website Wednesday, November 18, 2014) Under proposed changes currently being circulated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Wheeler the E-rate program is set to expand nearly 123 percent from 2008 levels. The program, which provides funds to schools and libraries for telecommunications services, has been the target of reform for years due to its onerous requirements. Instead of streamlining the process and ensuring that the neediest schools receive assistance, the new plan merely expands the program without the overdue reforms. E-rate is the name given to the one part of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The fund was set up in the wake of the 1996 Telecommunications Act and now has four major programs to promote access to various telecommunications services: a program for rural and high-cost areas; low income consumers; rural health care facilities; and schools and libraries. As consumers have moved away from landline telephone services and adopted wireless phones and broadband connections, the fund has come under financial pressures. Funding caps were set on E-rate at $2.25 billion in 1997, but was not indexed for inflation until late 2010. Since then, inflation adjustments have shifted the cap to $2.4 billion. Although the Chairman claims that 60 percent of “$1.5 billion cap increase represents simply a ‘catch up’ of the lost inflation adjustment from 1997 to 2010,” the cap didn’t become an issue until 2010 because the fund never reached the threshold.