Watchdog Critical of Texas-Led Google Goose Chase

For Immediate Release
December 16, 2020
Contact: Patrick Hedger
(425-283-6512)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is greatly concerned about Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s announcement of the State of Texas’ intention to sue Google for anticompetitive conduct.

In response, TPA Vice President of Policy Patrick Hedger offered the following statement:

“Texas has prized itself an innovation-friendly destination for entrepreneurs and companies seeking to leave California’s heavy hand behind. This lawsuit against Google makes a mockery of that noble effort. Texas now joins other state Attorneys General and federal officials in a foolish quest of political retribution and penalizing success.

“Google faces significant competition in any number of markets, particularly from Facebook, Amazon, and Apple, each facing their own antitrust scrutiny. The products and services it offers to consumers and customers are either falling in price or already free of charge. Adding insult to injury, Google has played an integral role in keeping Americans connected during the Covid-19 crisis, enabling them to go about their lives from the safety of their homes.

“It is a waste and insult to the hardworking taxpayers of the State of Texas and all other states pursuing these expensive, frivolous goose-chases at such a trying time. TPA will be following this lawsuit very closely and submitting requests under the Texas Public Information Act about the taxpayer costs of the suit.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.