When the government tries to play Santa Claus, bad things happen. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) allows certain charitable organizations exclusive access to federal workplaces to solicit contributions from employees. The contributions can be made by cash or check or deducted from the employees’ paychecks. In 2005, federal workers gave more than $260 million to more than 20,000 charities. However, a large sum of that money goes to tax delinquent charities, also known as tax cheats.
Bioterrorism Spending
After the 9/11 attacks and the deaths of five people exposed to anthrax spores sent through the mail in 2001, the federal government began pouring billions of dollars into biodefense research and development. However, throwing money at a problem does not guarantee a solution; there must be proper follow-through and oversight to make sure the money is spent wisely.
Bridge to Nowhere Update
Even though the Bridge to Nowhere has gone nowhere fast since Congress stripped it of its federal earmark, outgoing Governor Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) is still trying to keep the project alive.
The Rail Subsidy That Could
Parents and children alike are familiar with the story, “The Little Engine That Could.” Through perseverance and sheer determination, a small train engine pulled a train over a steep mountain even with the odds stacked against it and when other train engines didn’t think it possible. It appears that Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is twisting the lessons of that book into a rail subsidy that could be the biggest taxpayer rip-off ever. He helped to secure a $2.3 billion loan from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to expand and improve the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad (DM&E), which is used primarily to transport coal from Wyoming to Minnesota.
Newark Mayor Takes Taxpayers for a Ride
With a salary of $186,000, one would think that the mayor of Newark would have no need for taxpayers to pay for his vacations. Think again. Even though former mayor Sharpe James had an annual travel expense budget of $25,000, he is currently under investigation for adding $150,000 for numerous expenses and exotic vacations. The globe-trotting has been chronicled by The Star-Ledger of Newark.
Legal Services Nonprofit Wastes Tax Dollars
Free legal help is getting more expensive for taxpayers and much of the money is going to waste.
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which received $330.8 million in fiscal 2006, distributes money to 138 local nonprofit legal aid organizations across the country to help provide free legal services for the indigent. However, the Associated Press reported in September that audits from the group’s internal inspector general, “Kirt” West, identified questionable spending practices among LSC board members.
Our Federal Government: Making a Bad Situation Worse
The benevolent federal government has found a way to spend almost one billion dollars exposing its citizens to a deadly carcinogen in the name of a humanitarian effort.
A Victory for the Defense Travel System
Since its initial creation in 1998, the Defense Travel System (DTS) has exhibited massive inefficiencies and waste. The project, created by the Department of Defense (DOD), was meant to serve as a cost-efficient travel system for DOD employees. The initial idea was to create an end-to-end electronic booking program. Instead of paying a travel agent $25 per flight, booking online through DTS would cost each individual approximately $5. According to DOD, the program was meant to save taxpayers $234 million in DOD travel costs, approximately $56 million annually.
Working Group Wastes Our Time
The Citizens’ Health Care Working Group was created by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 to foster a “national discussion” on healthcare to be presented as a report and reviewed by the President and Congress in order to change healthcare policy in America.
Flying High: HHS Secretary Proves Pork Can Fly
Mike Leavitt’s got a ticket to ride, and he don’t care. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary used a luxury private jet, leased by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention for use only in emergencies, to rack up $720,000, or 60 percent, of the $2.1 million the jet has cost taxpayers since January.