Week 1 winner was to stop spending federal funds on elections. The bill passed 239-160 10 Democrats voted yea 1 Republican voted nay.
Current Choices:
Obtain Refund of Funds Owed to the U.S. by the U.N. Tax Equalization Fund
Approximate $180 million in one time savings
As of December 31, 2009, the United Nations reported that it was holding almost $180 million that the U.S. had overpaid into the U.N.’s Tax Equalization Fund (TEF). It appears that the U.N. is still holding the U.S. funds because the Administration has not instructed the U.N. on how it wishes to dispose of them. By instructing the U.N. to return those funds to the U.S. we can generate savings for American taxpayers. In addition, the Administration should also demand that the process for Tax Equalization Fund withholdings be revised to prevent (or at least reduce) future discrepancies leading to such large surpluses.
Obtain Refund of Unspent Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities
Approximately $86 million in one-time savings
The United Nations has been holding approximately between $210 and $240 million in cash reserves from closed peacekeeping operations. These funds have been accumulating since the early 1990s. Successive U.N. Secretaries-General have requested authority to maintain these unspent funds in a Peacekeeping Reserve Fund, which allows them to cover shortfalls in peacekeeping and, at times, the general budget. However, U.N. regulations require that unspent funds from liquidated missions be returned to Member States within 12 months (with a potential extension to four years in order to meet receipts submitted by troop contributing countries). The U.S.-share of these unspent funds currently totals approximately $86 million. The U.S. should act to demand the reimbursement of these unspent funds.
Prohibit Economic Assistance to Countries Who Hold More Than $50 Billion in U.S. Debt
Savings of potentially $46 million over ten years
Of America's $14 trillion national debt, approximately $4.3 trillion is held by foreign countries. Over the past year, foreign holding of U.S. debt has increased by over $650 billion. Ironically, we actually provide economic assistance in the form of foreign aid to some of our largest creditors. For example, in 2010 U.S. taxpayers provided approximately $4.7 million in economic assistance for countries, including China, that hold in excess of $50 billion in U.S. government debt (this excludes funds for environmental programs). In short, Congress is borrowing money from foreign countries and turning around using some of that money to provide them with economic grants. This proposal would prohibit any economic foreign aid to a country that holds $50 billion or more in U.S. debt.
Seriously? We borrow money from China to give them aid? Is it me, or is there no logic in this?
As far as the UN goes, this comes as no shock. They have gotten so far away from their original mission that they may as well be disbanded. I would love to see them leave the U.S. We get nothing out of them being here anymore. They vote against us more often than not. The majority of the voting blocks hate Jews. They put human rights abusers on human rights committees. What's not to like?
Yes, this is small potatoes. But we have to start somewhere.
Go here to vote
Showing posts with label you cut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label you cut. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
You Cut
You Cut is back and since Republicans are in the majority now, these will actually have a chance of passing.
End the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program
Saves $10 million over ten years at current spending levels
President Obama has proposed terminating the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural program which provides grants to nonprofit educational organizations to establish facilities that house, display, and interpret artifacts relating to the history of the Underground Railroad. According to the Administration, "Federal funds provided in prior fiscal years have enabled a number of program grantees to make progress in securing private support by using public-private partnerships and creating endowment funds to support ongoing operations. The types of museum exhibits that are supported by this program are also eligible for funding under several broader grant competitions through the Institute of Museum and Library Services."
End Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners Program
Savings of $87.5 million over ten years
The Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners program provides non-competitive grants to support culturally-based educational activities “to assist Alaska Natives, native Hawaiians, and children and families living in Massachusetts linked by history and tradition to Alaska and Hawaii, and members of any federally recognized Indian tribe in Mississippi.” The President has proposed terminating this program in part because it is non-competitive in nature, there is no reliable performance data by which to measure the outcomes of the program, and it has “narrow goals [that] are more appropriately served with State, local, and private funding.”
End the Presidential Election Fund
Savings of $520 million over ten years.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund provides federal tax dollars in the form of matching funds to candidates in Presidential primaries provided the candidates qualify and agree to abide by certain spending and contribution limits. It provides grants to qualifying Presidential candidates in general elections, if they agree not to accept other contributions. The program also provides grants to sponsor national party conventions. In short, it provides taxpayer subsidies to political candidates and parties. Since 2000, some major candidates have chosen to forgo public financing. While some have argued that providing even more taxpayer funding for this program might entice more candidates to participate, eliminating the program all together would save taxpayers $520 million over ten years and would require candidates and political parties to rely on private donations rather than tax dollars. The amount of funding for the public financing system is determined by checkoffs on income tax returns, and taxpayer participation via the checkoffs has declined from 28.7% in 1980 to 7.3% in 2009.
You can vote here
End the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program
Saves $10 million over ten years at current spending levels
President Obama has proposed terminating the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural program which provides grants to nonprofit educational organizations to establish facilities that house, display, and interpret artifacts relating to the history of the Underground Railroad. According to the Administration, "Federal funds provided in prior fiscal years have enabled a number of program grantees to make progress in securing private support by using public-private partnerships and creating endowment funds to support ongoing operations. The types of museum exhibits that are supported by this program are also eligible for funding under several broader grant competitions through the Institute of Museum and Library Services."
End Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners Program
Savings of $87.5 million over ten years
The Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners program provides non-competitive grants to support culturally-based educational activities “to assist Alaska Natives, native Hawaiians, and children and families living in Massachusetts linked by history and tradition to Alaska and Hawaii, and members of any federally recognized Indian tribe in Mississippi.” The President has proposed terminating this program in part because it is non-competitive in nature, there is no reliable performance data by which to measure the outcomes of the program, and it has “narrow goals [that] are more appropriately served with State, local, and private funding.”
End the Presidential Election Fund
Savings of $520 million over ten years.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund provides federal tax dollars in the form of matching funds to candidates in Presidential primaries provided the candidates qualify and agree to abide by certain spending and contribution limits. It provides grants to qualifying Presidential candidates in general elections, if they agree not to accept other contributions. The program also provides grants to sponsor national party conventions. In short, it provides taxpayer subsidies to political candidates and parties. Since 2000, some major candidates have chosen to forgo public financing. While some have argued that providing even more taxpayer funding for this program might entice more candidates to participate, eliminating the program all together would save taxpayers $520 million over ten years and would require candidates and political parties to rely on private donations rather than tax dollars. The amount of funding for the public financing system is determined by checkoffs on income tax returns, and taxpayer participation via the checkoffs has declined from 28.7% in 1980 to 7.3% in 2009.
You can vote here
Monday, August 9, 2010
You Cut Week 9 Winner
Bipartisan Proposal to Terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
On July 20th, four Democrat Congressmen launched a working group to focus on deficit reduction. Among the savings put forward by the lawmakers was endorsement of a proposal advocated by the Administration to terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) because it "has a high error rate and is not widely utilized by eligible taxpayers." Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a portion of their EITC throughout the year in their paychecks. A government audit revealed that some 80 percent of recipients did not comply with at least one program requirement; 20 percent had invalid Social Security numbers and thus may not have been eligible for the credit; 40 percent failed to file the annual tax return required to reconcile the credit; and of the 60 percent of recipients who did file a return, two-thirds misreported the amount received. As a result, this program is particularly susceptible to waste, fraud, and abuse.
Yet, again this failed when put up for vote.
New Choices up for vote
Prohibit Mandated Project Labor Union Agreements That Increase Government Construction Costs
Saves: 10 to 20 percent per construction project, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
In February of 2009, the President issued an Executive Order encouraging the use of "project-labor agreements" on federal construction projects in excess of $25 million. According to the Administration, "A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project." Numerous studies indicate that these agreements increase costs by between 10 and 20 percent. Based on information provided by the Administration in terms of the scope of the Executive Order, project labor agreements could be applied to some portion of large construction contracts which in 2008 totaled $31,685,574,596. As a result, increased costs to taxpayers could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
Saves $266 million next year and $2.66 billion over ten years
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Prohibit Taxpayer Funding for Campaigns in Foreign Countries and Recoup the Misspent Funds
Saves $23 million
Recent Congressional Republican oversight efforts have uncovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending over $23 million on activities related to ratification of the proposed Kenyan constitution, including campaign activities to specifically encourage a "yes" vote. The constitution, among other things, would gut Kenya's current pro-life laws. Tax dollars should not be used to run political campaigns in foreign countries or to attempt to directly influence the outcome of foreign democratic elections. This proposal would prohibit funding for such activities and recoup funds already spent by reducing the USAID administrative budget by an equal amount.
Eliminate the "Dodd Clinic" Earmark From Obamacare
Savings of $100 million over ten years
Section 10502(a) of the over 2,000 page recently enacted Obamacare government healthcare bill provides $100 million for construction at an unnamed "health care facility." However, the language in health bill is tailored in such a way as to ensure the funding is earmarked for the University of Connecticut. By eliminating this special interest funding, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the entire health care law
Vote here
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
On July 20th, four Democrat Congressmen launched a working group to focus on deficit reduction. Among the savings put forward by the lawmakers was endorsement of a proposal advocated by the Administration to terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) because it "has a high error rate and is not widely utilized by eligible taxpayers." Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a portion of their EITC throughout the year in their paychecks. A government audit revealed that some 80 percent of recipients did not comply with at least one program requirement; 20 percent had invalid Social Security numbers and thus may not have been eligible for the credit; 40 percent failed to file the annual tax return required to reconcile the credit; and of the 60 percent of recipients who did file a return, two-thirds misreported the amount received. As a result, this program is particularly susceptible to waste, fraud, and abuse.
Yet, again this failed when put up for vote.
New Choices up for vote
Prohibit Mandated Project Labor Union Agreements That Increase Government Construction Costs
Saves: 10 to 20 percent per construction project, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
In February of 2009, the President issued an Executive Order encouraging the use of "project-labor agreements" on federal construction projects in excess of $25 million. According to the Administration, "A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project." Numerous studies indicate that these agreements increase costs by between 10 and 20 percent. Based on information provided by the Administration in terms of the scope of the Executive Order, project labor agreements could be applied to some portion of large construction contracts which in 2008 totaled $31,685,574,596. As a result, increased costs to taxpayers could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
Saves $266 million next year and $2.66 billion over ten years
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Prohibit Taxpayer Funding for Campaigns in Foreign Countries and Recoup the Misspent Funds
Saves $23 million
Recent Congressional Republican oversight efforts have uncovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending over $23 million on activities related to ratification of the proposed Kenyan constitution, including campaign activities to specifically encourage a "yes" vote. The constitution, among other things, would gut Kenya's current pro-life laws. Tax dollars should not be used to run political campaigns in foreign countries or to attempt to directly influence the outcome of foreign democratic elections. This proposal would prohibit funding for such activities and recoup funds already spent by reducing the USAID administrative budget by an equal amount.
Eliminate the "Dodd Clinic" Earmark From Obamacare
Savings of $100 million over ten years
Section 10502(a) of the over 2,000 page recently enacted Obamacare government healthcare bill provides $100 million for construction at an unnamed "health care facility." However, the language in health bill is tailored in such a way as to ensure the funding is earmarked for the University of Connecticut. By eliminating this special interest funding, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the entire health care law
Vote here
Thursday, July 22, 2010
You Cut Week 8 Winner
Prohibit "First-Class" Subsidies on Amtrak
Potential savings of $1.2 billion over ten years
While only 16 percent of Amtrak long-distance passengers opt for "sleeper class" travel, as opposed to coach class, federal taxpayers provide substantial extra subsidies for this first class travel. Passengers in long-distance first class travel are provided a sleeping room, many with a private toilet and shower, turn-down service, and complimentary entertainment and pre-paid food. Yet, Amtrak loses more than twice as much per passenger (an average of $396) for first class service as compared to coach class service. These losses are made up by taxpayers. This proposal would eliminate subsidies for first-class service and require Amtrak to provide any first class service at cost.
Currently, this has not allowed to come to an up and down vote.
Week 9
Bipartisan Proposal to Terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
On July 20th, four Democrat Congressmen launched a working group to focus on deficit reduction. Among the savings put forward by the lawmakers was endorsement of a proposal advocated by the Administration to terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) because it "has a high error rate and is not widely utilized by eligible taxpayers." Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a portion of their EITC throughout the year in their paychecks. A government audit revealed that some 80 percent of recipients did not comply with at least one program requirement; 20 percent had invalid Social Security numbers and thus may not have been eligible for the credit; 40 percent failed to file the annual tax return required to reconcile the credit; and of the 60 percent of recipients who did file a return, two-thirds misreported the amount received. As a result, this program is particularly susceptible to waste, fraud, and abuse.
Refocus the National Park Service on Administering Federal Parks
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
In addition to maintaining nearly 400 national parks, the National Park Service also operates two programs to fund preservation efforts for local projects not connected to federal parks. The two programs—the National Heritage Area Grants program and the Statutory Aid program—have been described by the Park Service itself as "secondary to the primary mission of the National Park Service." The Administration has proposed eliminating funding for the Statutory Aid program, generating savings of $5.85 million next year. Going a step farther and eliminating the National Heritage Area Grants program would save an additional $18 million a year.
Terminate Funding for the DOD Innovative Readiness Training Program
Saves $200 million over ten years
The Innovative Readiness Training program deploys military resources in support of civilian construction, health care and other non-DOD programs. Through the program, federal funds are used for such things as the construction of rural roads, airplane runways, small building, and warehouse construction. Described as training for National Guard units, this program, which was only created in the early 1990s, is a ironically a use of military funds for non-military projects.
Prohibit Taxpayer Funding for Campaigns in Foreign Countries and Recoup the Misspent Funds
Saves $23 million
Recent Congressional Republican oversight efforts have uncovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending over $23 million on activities related to ratification of the proposed Kenyan constitution, including campaign activities to specifically encourage a "yes" vote. The constitution, among other things, would gut Kenya's current pro-life laws. Tax dollars should not be used to run political campaigns in foreign countries or to attempt to directly influence the outcome of foreign democratic elections. This proposal would prohibit funding for such activities and recoup funds already spent by reducing the USAID administrative budget by an equal amount.
Eliminate Duplicative Federal Physical Education Program
Saves $790 million over ten years
This program, which even the Administration describes as "narrowly targeted," provides grants to local educational agencies and community-based organizations to pay up to 90% of the costs of initiating, expanding, and improving physical education (PE) programs. Funds are often used to purchase equipment. The Education Department’s own measure of success for this program (measured in terms of increasing physical activity amongst students), revealed that the program costs taxpayers $168 per student who achieved the desired level of physical activity. But this isn’t the only PE program run by the federal government. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also operates their own programs to fund physical education initiatives. Traditionally, physical education has been the responsibility of state and local governments.
Vote here
Potential savings of $1.2 billion over ten years
While only 16 percent of Amtrak long-distance passengers opt for "sleeper class" travel, as opposed to coach class, federal taxpayers provide substantial extra subsidies for this first class travel. Passengers in long-distance first class travel are provided a sleeping room, many with a private toilet and shower, turn-down service, and complimentary entertainment and pre-paid food. Yet, Amtrak loses more than twice as much per passenger (an average of $396) for first class service as compared to coach class service. These losses are made up by taxpayers. This proposal would eliminate subsidies for first-class service and require Amtrak to provide any first class service at cost.
Currently, this has not allowed to come to an up and down vote.
Week 9
Bipartisan Proposal to Terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
On July 20th, four Democrat Congressmen launched a working group to focus on deficit reduction. Among the savings put forward by the lawmakers was endorsement of a proposal advocated by the Administration to terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) because it "has a high error rate and is not widely utilized by eligible taxpayers." Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a portion of their EITC throughout the year in their paychecks. A government audit revealed that some 80 percent of recipients did not comply with at least one program requirement; 20 percent had invalid Social Security numbers and thus may not have been eligible for the credit; 40 percent failed to file the annual tax return required to reconcile the credit; and of the 60 percent of recipients who did file a return, two-thirds misreported the amount received. As a result, this program is particularly susceptible to waste, fraud, and abuse.
Refocus the National Park Service on Administering Federal Parks
Saves $1.1 billion over ten years
In addition to maintaining nearly 400 national parks, the National Park Service also operates two programs to fund preservation efforts for local projects not connected to federal parks. The two programs—the National Heritage Area Grants program and the Statutory Aid program—have been described by the Park Service itself as "secondary to the primary mission of the National Park Service." The Administration has proposed eliminating funding for the Statutory Aid program, generating savings of $5.85 million next year. Going a step farther and eliminating the National Heritage Area Grants program would save an additional $18 million a year.
Terminate Funding for the DOD Innovative Readiness Training Program
Saves $200 million over ten years
The Innovative Readiness Training program deploys military resources in support of civilian construction, health care and other non-DOD programs. Through the program, federal funds are used for such things as the construction of rural roads, airplane runways, small building, and warehouse construction. Described as training for National Guard units, this program, which was only created in the early 1990s, is a ironically a use of military funds for non-military projects.
Prohibit Taxpayer Funding for Campaigns in Foreign Countries and Recoup the Misspent Funds
Saves $23 million
Recent Congressional Republican oversight efforts have uncovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending over $23 million on activities related to ratification of the proposed Kenyan constitution, including campaign activities to specifically encourage a "yes" vote. The constitution, among other things, would gut Kenya's current pro-life laws. Tax dollars should not be used to run political campaigns in foreign countries or to attempt to directly influence the outcome of foreign democratic elections. This proposal would prohibit funding for such activities and recoup funds already spent by reducing the USAID administrative budget by an equal amount.
Eliminate Duplicative Federal Physical Education Program
Saves $790 million over ten years
This program, which even the Administration describes as "narrowly targeted," provides grants to local educational agencies and community-based organizations to pay up to 90% of the costs of initiating, expanding, and improving physical education (PE) programs. Funds are often used to purchase equipment. The Education Department’s own measure of success for this program (measured in terms of increasing physical activity amongst students), revealed that the program costs taxpayers $168 per student who achieved the desired level of physical activity. But this isn’t the only PE program run by the federal government. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also operates their own programs to fund physical education initiatives. Traditionally, physical education has been the responsibility of state and local governments.
Vote here
Thursday, July 15, 2010
You Cut Week 7 Winner
Prohibit Stimulus Funding for Promotional Signage And Recoup Previously Spent Funds
Saves: Tens of millions
Across the country, signs have been erected to alert citizens that certain projects are being funded by last year’s stimulus bill. These signs, often along highways, provide no meaningful information, create no jobs, and have been criticized as taxpayer funded advertisements for the stimulus bill. Unfortunately, no accurate information exists on the total number of signs erected and their cost to taxpayers. Press reports from across the country indicate, however, that the costs could well be in the millions of dollars. This proposal would prohibit funding for any additional signs, would require agencies to report on the amount already spent on signs, and would recapture those funds for taxpayers by reducing the agencies' administrative expenses by an amount equal to that spent on signs
Week 8
Eliminate Unnecessary Congressional Printing
Potential savings of $35 million + over ten years
Whenever a Member of Congress introduces a bill or resolution, the Government Printing Office prints 200 paper copies. In the last Congress, Members introduced 14,042 bills and resolutions. That works out to 2.8 million paper copies. And with all the bills available online, many of these paper copies are simply thrown away. This year, Congress will spend approximately $7 million printing bills and resolutions. By eliminating the mandatory printing of every introduced bill, and instead using technology to ensure that bills are available online for anyone to examine, we can achieve significant savings to taxpayers, while still ensuring accountable and open government.
Eliminate the "Dodd Clinic" Earmark From Obamacare
Savings of $100 million over ten years
Section 10502(a) of the over 2,000 page recently enacted Obamacare government healthcare bill provides $100 million for construction at an unnamed "health care facility." However, the language in health bill is tailored in such a way as to ensure the funding is earmarked for the University of Connecticut. By eliminating this special interest funding, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the entire health care law.
Prohibit "First-Class" Subsidies on Amtrak
Potential savings of $1.2 billion over ten years
While only 16 percent of Amtrak long-distance passengers opt for "sleeper class" travel, as opposed to coach class, federal taxpayers provide substantial extra subsidies for this first class travel. Passengers in long-distance first class travel are provided a sleeping room, many with a private toilet and shower, turn-down service, and complimentary entertainment and pre-paid food. Yet, Amtrak loses more than twice as much per passenger (an average of $396) for first class service as compared to coach class service. These losses are made up by taxpayers. This proposal would eliminate subsidies for first-class service and require Amtrak to provide any first class service at cost.
Reform the Energy Star Program
Potential savings of $655 million over ten years
The federal government’s Energy Star program has recently come under fire for lax standards and oversight. The program is supposed to certify products as energy efficient and encourage consumers to buy certified products. But a recent audit revealed that the program awarded energy star designations to companies that didn’t even exist and to bogus products, including "a gas-powered clock radio and a feather duster attached to a space heater." The Administration is in the process of revamping the program and has proposed that manufactures pay the costs of independent testing for their products. This proposal would build on that reform by also requiring that the companies that benefit from the Energy Star program (by having their products promoted by the government) pay for the full costs of the program.
Prevent LIHEAP Payments to Individuals Who are Deceased, Incarcerated, or Who Don't Meet Income Requirements
Potential savings of hundreds of millions of dollars over ten years.
Through the LIHEAP program the government spends approximately $5 billion a year to provide energy assistance subsidies to 8.3 million low-income households. A recent audit in seven states revealed significant fraud, waste, and mismanagement in the program totaling at least $100 million. For example the audit revealed that over 11,000 deceased individuals were used as applicants for assistance, as were hundreds of incarcerated individuals, and over a thousand federal employees accessed benefits despite the fact that their income exceeded the income threshold. This proposal would require a comprehensive determination of the amount of funds lost to fraud, require the Administration to put in place controls to prevent such fraud, and reduce funding by an amount equal to that lost to fraud
Vote here
Saves: Tens of millions
Across the country, signs have been erected to alert citizens that certain projects are being funded by last year’s stimulus bill. These signs, often along highways, provide no meaningful information, create no jobs, and have been criticized as taxpayer funded advertisements for the stimulus bill. Unfortunately, no accurate information exists on the total number of signs erected and their cost to taxpayers. Press reports from across the country indicate, however, that the costs could well be in the millions of dollars. This proposal would prohibit funding for any additional signs, would require agencies to report on the amount already spent on signs, and would recapture those funds for taxpayers by reducing the agencies' administrative expenses by an amount equal to that spent on signs
Week 8
Eliminate Unnecessary Congressional Printing
Potential savings of $35 million + over ten years
Whenever a Member of Congress introduces a bill or resolution, the Government Printing Office prints 200 paper copies. In the last Congress, Members introduced 14,042 bills and resolutions. That works out to 2.8 million paper copies. And with all the bills available online, many of these paper copies are simply thrown away. This year, Congress will spend approximately $7 million printing bills and resolutions. By eliminating the mandatory printing of every introduced bill, and instead using technology to ensure that bills are available online for anyone to examine, we can achieve significant savings to taxpayers, while still ensuring accountable and open government.
Eliminate the "Dodd Clinic" Earmark From Obamacare
Savings of $100 million over ten years
Section 10502(a) of the over 2,000 page recently enacted Obamacare government healthcare bill provides $100 million for construction at an unnamed "health care facility." However, the language in health bill is tailored in such a way as to ensure the funding is earmarked for the University of Connecticut. By eliminating this special interest funding, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the entire health care law.
Prohibit "First-Class" Subsidies on Amtrak
Potential savings of $1.2 billion over ten years
While only 16 percent of Amtrak long-distance passengers opt for "sleeper class" travel, as opposed to coach class, federal taxpayers provide substantial extra subsidies for this first class travel. Passengers in long-distance first class travel are provided a sleeping room, many with a private toilet and shower, turn-down service, and complimentary entertainment and pre-paid food. Yet, Amtrak loses more than twice as much per passenger (an average of $396) for first class service as compared to coach class service. These losses are made up by taxpayers. This proposal would eliminate subsidies for first-class service and require Amtrak to provide any first class service at cost.
Reform the Energy Star Program
Potential savings of $655 million over ten years
The federal government’s Energy Star program has recently come under fire for lax standards and oversight. The program is supposed to certify products as energy efficient and encourage consumers to buy certified products. But a recent audit revealed that the program awarded energy star designations to companies that didn’t even exist and to bogus products, including "a gas-powered clock radio and a feather duster attached to a space heater." The Administration is in the process of revamping the program and has proposed that manufactures pay the costs of independent testing for their products. This proposal would build on that reform by also requiring that the companies that benefit from the Energy Star program (by having their products promoted by the government) pay for the full costs of the program.
Prevent LIHEAP Payments to Individuals Who are Deceased, Incarcerated, or Who Don't Meet Income Requirements
Potential savings of hundreds of millions of dollars over ten years.
Through the LIHEAP program the government spends approximately $5 billion a year to provide energy assistance subsidies to 8.3 million low-income households. A recent audit in seven states revealed significant fraud, waste, and mismanagement in the program totaling at least $100 million. For example the audit revealed that over 11,000 deceased individuals were used as applicants for assistance, as were hundreds of incarcerated individuals, and over a thousand federal employees accessed benefits despite the fact that their income exceeded the income threshold. This proposal would require a comprehensive determination of the amount of funds lost to fraud, require the Administration to put in place controls to prevent such fraud, and reduce funding by an amount equal to that lost to fraud
Vote here
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
You Cut Week 6 Winner
Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities
Saves potentially $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years
Currently, some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying, should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions? In 2008 the Federal government spent $120 million paying employees for their time spent working on union activities (over five years this would total a minimum of $600 million.) (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Week 7
Prohibit Economic Assistance to Countries Who Hold More Than $50 Billion in U.S. Debt
Saves: $180+ million over ten years
Of America’s $13 trillion national debt, approximately $3.9 trillion is held by foreign countries. Over the past year, foreign holding of U.S. debt has increased by almost $700 billion. Ironically, we actually provide economic assistance in the form of foreign aid to some of our largest creditors. For example, President Obama has request at least $18 million in economic assistance for countries, including China, that hold in excess of $50 billion in U.S. government debt. In essence, Congress is borrowing money from foreign countries and then giving it right back to them for free. This proposal would prohibit any economic foreign aid to a country that holds $50 billion or more in U.S. debt.
Update Federal Employee Pensions To Reflect Private Sector Practices
Saves: $4.5+ billion over ten years
Initial pension benefits for federal civilian employees are calculated based on the average of employee's highest earnings over three consecutive years. By contrast, the private sector commonly bases benefits on a five year average. The Federal government also provides civilian employees (including Members of Congress and staff) with a benefit not normally offered to private sector employees: Federal employees who retire at age 55 or older with at least 30 years of service or at age 60 with at least 20 years of service receive an early benefit equivalent to Social Security until they reach 62. This proposal would eliminate the early retirement benefit for those who voluntarily retire early and would base pensions on the average earnings over five years.
Consolidate Federal Food Programs To Reduce Administrative Costs
Saves: $413 million over ten years
Under the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Department of Agriculture purchases certain food items and makes them available to states that then make the food available to local organizations that then make it available to low-income individuals. The 3-step program is only available in 39 states and serves approximately 467,000 individuals a month. Administrative costs consumer 23 percent of the program's entire budget. The same individuals who qualify for this program also qualify for traditional food stamps which are available in every state and which serve over 40 million individuals a month. Under the food stamp program, administrative expenses only consume 5 percent of the entire budget. Consolidating these two programs would allow the government to eliminate duplicative administrative costs.
Prohibit Mandated Project Labor Union Agreements That Increase Government Construction Costs
Saves: 10 to 20 percent per construction project, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
In February of 2009, the President issued an Executive Order encouraging the use of "project-labor agreements" on federal construction projects in excess of $25 million. According to the Administration, "A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project." Numerous studies indicate that these agreements increase costs by between 10 and 20 percent. Based on information provided by the Administration in terms of the scope of the Executive Order, project labor agreements could be applied to some portion of large construction contracts which in 2008 totaled $31,685,574,596. As a result, increased costs to taxpayers could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Prohibit Stimulus Funding for Promotional Signage And Recoup Previously Spent Funds
Saves: Tens of millions
Across the country, signs have been erected to alert citizens that certain projects are being funded by last year’s stimulus bill. These signs, often along highways, provide no meaningful information, create no jobs, and have been criticized as taxpayer funded advertisements for the stimulus bill. Unfortunately, no accurate information exists on the total number of signs erected and their cost to taxpayers. Press reports from across the country indicate, however, that the costs could well be in the millions of dollars. This proposal would prohibit funding for any additional signs, would require agencies to report on the amount already spent on signs, and would recapture those funds for taxpayers by reducing the agencies' administrative expenses by an amount equal to that spent on signs.
Wow, this week is very easy for me to decide which to vote for.
Vote here
Saves potentially $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years
Currently, some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying, should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions? In 2008 the Federal government spent $120 million paying employees for their time spent working on union activities (over five years this would total a minimum of $600 million.) (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Week 7
Prohibit Economic Assistance to Countries Who Hold More Than $50 Billion in U.S. Debt
Saves: $180+ million over ten years
Of America’s $13 trillion national debt, approximately $3.9 trillion is held by foreign countries. Over the past year, foreign holding of U.S. debt has increased by almost $700 billion. Ironically, we actually provide economic assistance in the form of foreign aid to some of our largest creditors. For example, President Obama has request at least $18 million in economic assistance for countries, including China, that hold in excess of $50 billion in U.S. government debt. In essence, Congress is borrowing money from foreign countries and then giving it right back to them for free. This proposal would prohibit any economic foreign aid to a country that holds $50 billion or more in U.S. debt.
Update Federal Employee Pensions To Reflect Private Sector Practices
Saves: $4.5+ billion over ten years
Initial pension benefits for federal civilian employees are calculated based on the average of employee's highest earnings over three consecutive years. By contrast, the private sector commonly bases benefits on a five year average. The Federal government also provides civilian employees (including Members of Congress and staff) with a benefit not normally offered to private sector employees: Federal employees who retire at age 55 or older with at least 30 years of service or at age 60 with at least 20 years of service receive an early benefit equivalent to Social Security until they reach 62. This proposal would eliminate the early retirement benefit for those who voluntarily retire early and would base pensions on the average earnings over five years.
Consolidate Federal Food Programs To Reduce Administrative Costs
Saves: $413 million over ten years
Under the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Department of Agriculture purchases certain food items and makes them available to states that then make the food available to local organizations that then make it available to low-income individuals. The 3-step program is only available in 39 states and serves approximately 467,000 individuals a month. Administrative costs consumer 23 percent of the program's entire budget. The same individuals who qualify for this program also qualify for traditional food stamps which are available in every state and which serve over 40 million individuals a month. Under the food stamp program, administrative expenses only consume 5 percent of the entire budget. Consolidating these two programs would allow the government to eliminate duplicative administrative costs.
Prohibit Mandated Project Labor Union Agreements That Increase Government Construction Costs
Saves: 10 to 20 percent per construction project, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
In February of 2009, the President issued an Executive Order encouraging the use of "project-labor agreements" on federal construction projects in excess of $25 million. According to the Administration, "A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project." Numerous studies indicate that these agreements increase costs by between 10 and 20 percent. Based on information provided by the Administration in terms of the scope of the Executive Order, project labor agreements could be applied to some portion of large construction contracts which in 2008 totaled $31,685,574,596. As a result, increased costs to taxpayers could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Prohibit Stimulus Funding for Promotional Signage And Recoup Previously Spent Funds
Saves: Tens of millions
Across the country, signs have been erected to alert citizens that certain projects are being funded by last year’s stimulus bill. These signs, often along highways, provide no meaningful information, create no jobs, and have been criticized as taxpayer funded advertisements for the stimulus bill. Unfortunately, no accurate information exists on the total number of signs erected and their cost to taxpayers. Press reports from across the country indicate, however, that the costs could well be in the millions of dollars. This proposal would prohibit funding for any additional signs, would require agencies to report on the amount already spent on signs, and would recapture those funds for taxpayers by reducing the agencies' administrative expenses by an amount equal to that spent on signs.
Wow, this week is very easy for me to decide which to vote for.
Vote here
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
You Cut Week 5 Winner
Prohibit Hiring New IRS Agents to Enforce the Health Care Law
Savings of $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years
According to the Congressional Budget Office, over the next ten years the IRS will require between $5 billion and $10 billion in funding to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka the new health care law). These funds will be used to hire thousands of additional IRS agents and employees. Reforming our health care system shouldn’t require expanding the IRS. By prohibiting funding for both the expansion of the IRS for this purpose and the enforcement of the individual health care mandate, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the law.
This of course failed.
Week 6
Consolidate and Reduce Funding for Federal Advisory Committees
Savings $34 million next year and $340 million over ten years
In 2008, the Federal government spent $342 million on 917 active Federal Advisory Committees. These committees had nearly 64,000 total members. Many of these Committees are duplicative. For example the National Endowment for the Arts spent $1.3 million on two separate advisory panels both of which makes recommendations to the NEA chairman. At the U.S. Geological Survey, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee actually recommended the creation of the National Earthquake Prediction Council. Now taxpayers fund both committees at a cost of nearly $200,000 a year. These earthquake committees are in addition to a third committee run by the Department of Commerce that costs taxpayers another $43,000. In 2005, the Department of Interior even created an advisory committee to advise it on dog management at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Three years later, this committee cost taxpayers $41,000. Consolidating existing Advisory Committee and with a goal of reducing overall funding by 10% would save taxpayers $34 million next year and $170 million over five years.
Terminate Duplicative Federal Bicycle and Walking Program
Saves $183 million a year or $1.8 billion over ten years
Created in 2005, the Federal "Safe Routes to Schools Program" finances both infrastructure and non-infrastructure (10 to 30% of total funding) projects to "empower communities to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity once again." The infrastructure components of this program, such as sidewalks and bike paths, have traditionally been viewed as local responsibilities. The non-infrastructure portion includes items such as public awareness campaigns and training volunteers. The program even requires that every state employ a full-time person dedicated to coordinating this federal program despite the fact that the law already requires every state to employ a separate full-time person to coordinate bicycle and pedestrian activities. Returning these responsibilities to state and local officials and removing federal mandates would generate savings for taxpayers.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
Saves $266 million next year and $2.66 billion over ten years
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion +
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities
Saves potentially $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years
Currently, some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying, should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions? In 2008 the Federal government spent $120 million paying employees for their time spent working on union activities (over five years this would total a minimum of $600 million.) (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Vote here
Savings of $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years
According to the Congressional Budget Office, over the next ten years the IRS will require between $5 billion and $10 billion in funding to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka the new health care law). These funds will be used to hire thousands of additional IRS agents and employees. Reforming our health care system shouldn’t require expanding the IRS. By prohibiting funding for both the expansion of the IRS for this purpose and the enforcement of the individual health care mandate, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the law.
This of course failed.
Week 6
Consolidate and Reduce Funding for Federal Advisory Committees
Savings $34 million next year and $340 million over ten years
In 2008, the Federal government spent $342 million on 917 active Federal Advisory Committees. These committees had nearly 64,000 total members. Many of these Committees are duplicative. For example the National Endowment for the Arts spent $1.3 million on two separate advisory panels both of which makes recommendations to the NEA chairman. At the U.S. Geological Survey, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee actually recommended the creation of the National Earthquake Prediction Council. Now taxpayers fund both committees at a cost of nearly $200,000 a year. These earthquake committees are in addition to a third committee run by the Department of Commerce that costs taxpayers another $43,000. In 2005, the Department of Interior even created an advisory committee to advise it on dog management at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Three years later, this committee cost taxpayers $41,000. Consolidating existing Advisory Committee and with a goal of reducing overall funding by 10% would save taxpayers $34 million next year and $170 million over five years.
Terminate Duplicative Federal Bicycle and Walking Program
Saves $183 million a year or $1.8 billion over ten years
Created in 2005, the Federal "Safe Routes to Schools Program" finances both infrastructure and non-infrastructure (10 to 30% of total funding) projects to "empower communities to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity once again." The infrastructure components of this program, such as sidewalks and bike paths, have traditionally been viewed as local responsibilities. The non-infrastructure portion includes items such as public awareness campaigns and training volunteers. The program even requires that every state employ a full-time person dedicated to coordinating this federal program despite the fact that the law already requires every state to employ a separate full-time person to coordinate bicycle and pedestrian activities. Returning these responsibilities to state and local officials and removing federal mandates would generate savings for taxpayers.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
Saves $266 million next year and $2.66 billion over ten years
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion +
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities
Saves potentially $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years
Currently, some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying, should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions? In 2008 the Federal government spent $120 million paying employees for their time spent working on union activities (over five years this would total a minimum of $600 million.) (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Vote here
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
You Cut Week 4 Winner
Sell Excess Federal Property
Potential savings of up to $15 billion
The Office of Management and Budget estimated in 2007 that the federal government is holding $18 billion in real property that it does not need. Rather than selling this property, however, Federal law usually requires that it first be offered, often at no cost, to other government agencies, to state and local governments, to non-profits, and others. The federal government has conveyed at no cost: a building in Las Vegas that is intended to house the “mob museum,” land in Massachusetts for a private high school where tuition is over $29,000 a year, and a building in Florida that the federal government now leases back at a cost of over $100,000 a year. This proposal would amend federal law to require an expedited process for selling unneeded federal property with 80% of the proceeds used to reduce the deficit.
Week 5 Proposed Cuts
Prohibit Hiring New IRS Agents to Enforce the Health Care Law
Savings of $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years
According to the Congressional Budget Office, over the next ten years the IRS will require between $5 billion and $10 billion in funding to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka the new health care law). These funds will be used to hire thousands of additional IRS agents and employees. Reforming our health care system shouldn’t require expanding the IRS. By prohibiting funding for both the expansion of the IRS for this purpose and the enforcement of the individual health care mandate, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the law.
Terminate Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners Program
Savings of $87.5 million over ten years
The Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners program provides non-competitive grants to support culturally-based educational activities "to assist Alaska Natives, native Hawaiians, and children and families living in Massachusetts linked by history and tradition to Alaska and Hawaii, and members of any federally recognized Indian tribe in Mississippi." The President has proposed terminating this program in part because it is non-competitive in nature, there is no reliable performance data by which to measure the outcomes of the program, and it has "narrow goals [that] are more appropriately served with State, local, and private funding."
Terminate Taxpayer-Subsidized Political Party Conventions
Savings of approximately $33.6 million every four years ($67.2 million over ten years)
Since 1976, taxpayers have subsidized a portion of the cost of political conventions, with the money derived from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. In 2008, the Republican and Democrat conventions received a total of $33.6 million for grants to hold their political conventions (this is in addition to appropriations they received for security costs). These taxpayer funds covered approximately 20% of the cost of the conventions with the remainder coming from private sources. By requiring political parties to fund their conventions with private money and not taxpayer money, we can reduce the deficit. (This is also a RSC sunset Caucus proposal.)
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion +
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Terminate Funding For The Duplicative National Drug Intelligence Center
Savings of $440 million over ten years
First created in 1993, the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) has been criticized since its creation as duplicative of already-existing drug intelligence centers (e.g. DEA’s El Paso Intelligence Center). In 2005, U.S. News and World Report ran a detailed story on the agency calling in a "boondoggle." A Congressional Oversight Committee also determined in 2006 that "NDIC was never able to fulfill its original mission of centralizing and coordinating drug intelligence, given its remote location and the unwillingness of the other Federal agencies to contribute significant information..." Previous Administration’s have recommended terminating NDIC and consolidating its operations with other federal drug intelligence centers. And in 2008 on a bipartisan 17-4 vote, the House Intelligence Committee voted to terminate the agency. Yet the program continues to this day and the Administration has requested another $46 million for the agency
Vote Here
Potential savings of up to $15 billion
The Office of Management and Budget estimated in 2007 that the federal government is holding $18 billion in real property that it does not need. Rather than selling this property, however, Federal law usually requires that it first be offered, often at no cost, to other government agencies, to state and local governments, to non-profits, and others. The federal government has conveyed at no cost: a building in Las Vegas that is intended to house the “mob museum,” land in Massachusetts for a private high school where tuition is over $29,000 a year, and a building in Florida that the federal government now leases back at a cost of over $100,000 a year. This proposal would amend federal law to require an expedited process for selling unneeded federal property with 80% of the proceeds used to reduce the deficit.
Week 5 Proposed Cuts
Prohibit Hiring New IRS Agents to Enforce the Health Care Law
Savings of $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years
According to the Congressional Budget Office, over the next ten years the IRS will require between $5 billion and $10 billion in funding to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka the new health care law). These funds will be used to hire thousands of additional IRS agents and employees. Reforming our health care system shouldn’t require expanding the IRS. By prohibiting funding for both the expansion of the IRS for this purpose and the enforcement of the individual health care mandate, we can protect taxpayers while we work to repeal the law.
Terminate Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners Program
Savings of $87.5 million over ten years
The Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners program provides non-competitive grants to support culturally-based educational activities "to assist Alaska Natives, native Hawaiians, and children and families living in Massachusetts linked by history and tradition to Alaska and Hawaii, and members of any federally recognized Indian tribe in Mississippi." The President has proposed terminating this program in part because it is non-competitive in nature, there is no reliable performance data by which to measure the outcomes of the program, and it has "narrow goals [that] are more appropriately served with State, local, and private funding."
Terminate Taxpayer-Subsidized Political Party Conventions
Savings of approximately $33.6 million every four years ($67.2 million over ten years)
Since 1976, taxpayers have subsidized a portion of the cost of political conventions, with the money derived from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. In 2008, the Republican and Democrat conventions received a total of $33.6 million for grants to hold their political conventions (this is in addition to appropriations they received for security costs). These taxpayer funds covered approximately 20% of the cost of the conventions with the remainder coming from private sources. By requiring political parties to fund their conventions with private money and not taxpayer money, we can reduce the deficit. (This is also a RSC sunset Caucus proposal.)
Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees
Savings of potentially $1 billion +
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that over 97,000 federal employees were delinquent on their federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS to work with federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a "seriously delinquent tax debt," we can ensure that federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.
Terminate Funding For The Duplicative National Drug Intelligence Center
Savings of $440 million over ten years
First created in 1993, the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) has been criticized since its creation as duplicative of already-existing drug intelligence centers (e.g. DEA’s El Paso Intelligence Center). In 2005, U.S. News and World Report ran a detailed story on the agency calling in a "boondoggle." A Congressional Oversight Committee also determined in 2006 that "NDIC was never able to fulfill its original mission of centralizing and coordinating drug intelligence, given its remote location and the unwillingness of the other Federal agencies to contribute significant information..." Previous Administration’s have recommended terminating NDIC and consolidating its operations with other federal drug intelligence centers. And in 2008 on a bipartisan 17-4 vote, the House Intelligence Committee voted to terminate the agency. Yet the program continues to this day and the Administration has requested another $46 million for the agency
Vote Here
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
You Cut Week 3 Winner
Reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Savings estimated at $30 billion.
Since taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government sponsored mortgage-backing companies, taxpayers have injected over $145 billion into the two companies. Yet Congress still has not considered proposals to reform these companies and recoup taxpayer funds. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that absent reform, costs to taxpayer will continue to grow. Taking action to reform these companies now (as opposed to delaying action as some have proposed) by ending their government conservatorship, shrinking their portfolios, establishing minimum capital standards, and bringing transparency to taxpayer exposure could generate savings of up to an estimated $30 billion.
The Bill to Cut this failed.
This Week's Vote:
Sell Excess Federal Property
Potential savings of up to $15 billion
The Office of Management and Budget estimated in 2007 that the federal government is holding $18 billion in real property that it does not need. Rather than selling this property, however, Federal law usually requires that it first be offered, often at no cost, to other government agencies, to state and local governments, to non-profits, and others. The federal government has conveyed at no cost: a building in Las Vegas that is intended to house the “mob museum,” land in Massachusetts for a private high school where tuition is over $29,000 a year, and a building in Florida that the federal government now leases back at a cost of over $100,000 a year. In addition, because of the red tape associated with selling property, federal agencies often hold onto the property (incurring more maintenance costs) because that is easier than selling it. This proposal would amend federal law to require an expedited process for selling unneeded federal property with 80% of the proceeds used to reduce the deficit. It would set an initial goal of disposing of $18 billion worth of property.
Terminate Duplicative Federal Bicycle and Walking Program
Saves $183 million a year or $1.8 billion over ten years
Created in 2005, the Federal "Safe Routes to Schools Program" finances both infrastructure and non-infrastructure (10 to 30% of total funding) projects to "empower communities to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity once again." The infrastructure components of this program, such as sidewalks and bike paths, have traditionally been viewed as local responsibilities. The non-infrastructure portion includes items such as public awareness campaigns and training volunteers. The program even requires that every state employ a full-time person dedicated to coordinating this federal program despite the fact that the law already requires every state to employ a separate full-time person to coordinate bicycle and pedestrian activities. Returning these responsibilities to state and local officials and removing federal mandates would generate savings for taxpayers.
Terminate New Federal Truck Parking Facilities Program
Saves $6.25 million a year
($62.5 million over ten years)
Created in 2005, the Federal government currently spends $6.25 million for a Truck Parking Facilities program. This program was created to provide government funding for projects that will facilitate long-term truck parking, including the potential construction of long-term truck parking facilities that would compete with private truck stop operators. Given that this program didn’t exist five years ago and given that truck stops and rest areas are more appropriately managed by private enterprise and state governments, terminating this program is a sensible way to generate savings for taxpayers.
Terminate Security Funding for Private Bus Companies
Saves $12 million a year
($120 million over ten years)
Launched in 2003, this program has provided over $83 million in grants mainly to private bus companies to help finance their security initiatives. The Administration has also proposed terminating this program arguing that the grants “"are not based on a risk assessment" and that private companies can make these investments without federal funding. By requiring bus companies to fund their own security initiatives, taxpayers can save $12 million a year.
Terminate the Ready to Learn Television Program
Saves $27 million a year
($270 million over ten years)
Created to subsidize the development of educational television programming targeted at elementary school age students and their parents, the program has failed to demonstrate that it is improving educational attainment. Even the Department of Education has said that many of the shows and projects funded under this Act failed to meet their standards for “high quality.” Perhaps because of these concerns, the Administration has proposed shifting funds from this program into other areas. Simply terminating the program, however, would eliminate the subsidy, generate savings for the taxpayer, and reduce the deficit.
Go Here to Vote
Savings estimated at $30 billion.
Since taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government sponsored mortgage-backing companies, taxpayers have injected over $145 billion into the two companies. Yet Congress still has not considered proposals to reform these companies and recoup taxpayer funds. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that absent reform, costs to taxpayer will continue to grow. Taking action to reform these companies now (as opposed to delaying action as some have proposed) by ending their government conservatorship, shrinking their portfolios, establishing minimum capital standards, and bringing transparency to taxpayer exposure could generate savings of up to an estimated $30 billion.
The Bill to Cut this failed.
This Week's Vote:
Sell Excess Federal Property
Potential savings of up to $15 billion
The Office of Management and Budget estimated in 2007 that the federal government is holding $18 billion in real property that it does not need. Rather than selling this property, however, Federal law usually requires that it first be offered, often at no cost, to other government agencies, to state and local governments, to non-profits, and others. The federal government has conveyed at no cost: a building in Las Vegas that is intended to house the “mob museum,” land in Massachusetts for a private high school where tuition is over $29,000 a year, and a building in Florida that the federal government now leases back at a cost of over $100,000 a year. In addition, because of the red tape associated with selling property, federal agencies often hold onto the property (incurring more maintenance costs) because that is easier than selling it. This proposal would amend federal law to require an expedited process for selling unneeded federal property with 80% of the proceeds used to reduce the deficit. It would set an initial goal of disposing of $18 billion worth of property.
Terminate Duplicative Federal Bicycle and Walking Program
Saves $183 million a year or $1.8 billion over ten years
Created in 2005, the Federal "Safe Routes to Schools Program" finances both infrastructure and non-infrastructure (10 to 30% of total funding) projects to "empower communities to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity once again." The infrastructure components of this program, such as sidewalks and bike paths, have traditionally been viewed as local responsibilities. The non-infrastructure portion includes items such as public awareness campaigns and training volunteers. The program even requires that every state employ a full-time person dedicated to coordinating this federal program despite the fact that the law already requires every state to employ a separate full-time person to coordinate bicycle and pedestrian activities. Returning these responsibilities to state and local officials and removing federal mandates would generate savings for taxpayers.
Terminate New Federal Truck Parking Facilities Program
Saves $6.25 million a year
($62.5 million over ten years)
Created in 2005, the Federal government currently spends $6.25 million for a Truck Parking Facilities program. This program was created to provide government funding for projects that will facilitate long-term truck parking, including the potential construction of long-term truck parking facilities that would compete with private truck stop operators. Given that this program didn’t exist five years ago and given that truck stops and rest areas are more appropriately managed by private enterprise and state governments, terminating this program is a sensible way to generate savings for taxpayers.
Terminate Security Funding for Private Bus Companies
Saves $12 million a year
($120 million over ten years)
Launched in 2003, this program has provided over $83 million in grants mainly to private bus companies to help finance their security initiatives. The Administration has also proposed terminating this program arguing that the grants “"are not based on a risk assessment" and that private companies can make these investments without federal funding. By requiring bus companies to fund their own security initiatives, taxpayers can save $12 million a year.
Terminate the Ready to Learn Television Program
Saves $27 million a year
($270 million over ten years)
Created to subsidize the development of educational television programming targeted at elementary school age students and their parents, the program has failed to demonstrate that it is improving educational attainment. Even the Department of Education has said that many of the shows and projects funded under this Act failed to meet their standards for “high quality.” Perhaps because of these concerns, the Administration has proposed shifting funds from this program into other areas. Simply terminating the program, however, would eliminate the subsidy, generate savings for the taxpayer, and reduce the deficit.
Go Here to Vote
Friday, May 28, 2010
You Cut Vote Fails
Congresswoman Bachmann put in a bill to freeze the automatic pay raise for the government employees, as this is what is voted on for last week's You Cut program. Of course the vote failed. Listen to Bachmann's response.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
And the "You Cut" Week 2 Winner Is:
Eliminate the Proposed Federal Employee Pay Raise
Approximately $2 Billion in the First Year
(Approximately $30 Billion Over Ten Years)
As part of his budget, President Obama proposed providing federal civilian employees with a 1.4% pay raise next year. This year Federal employees received a 2% raise and since the year 2000 have received raises averaging 3.6% a year. USA Today recently reported that the typical federal worker is paid 20% more than a private-sector worker in the same occupation (median salary). This doesn’t include the value of benefits like health care and retirement. This proposal would expand upon the just enacted legislation to prevent Members of Congress from receiving a pay raise. This proposal would not impact the scheduled 1.4% pay raise for those in the military.
Week 3
Refocus National Archives Activities On Preserving Federal Records
$10 million in Savings in the First Year
($100 Million Over Ten Years)
The National Archives and Records Administration and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission are charged with managing Federal records. However, they also spend approximately $10 million a year on grants for state and local governments, universities and other institutions to preserve and publish non-Federal records. While a worthwhile goal, the federal government also spends $167.5 million a year on the National Endowment for the Humanities and $282 million for the Institute for Museum and Library Services which can and sometimes do fund projects towards similar ends. Refocusing the National Archives on its core mission of preserving Federal records would save taxpayers $10 million next year and $100 million over ten years.
Reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Savings estimated at $30 billion.
Since taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government sponsored mortgage-backing companies, taxpayers have injected over $145 billion into the two companies. Yet Congress still has not considered proposals to reform these companies and recoup taxpayer funds. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that absent reform, costs to taxpayer will continue to grow. Taking action to reform these companies now (as opposed to delaying action as some have proposed) by ending their government conservatorship, shrinking their portfolios, establishing minimum capital standards, and bringing transparency to taxpayer exposure could generate savings of up to an estimated $30 billion.
Terminate Broadcasting Facility Grant Programs that Have Completed their Mission
$25 million in Savings in the First Year
($250 million Over Ten Years)
In his most recent budget, President Obama proposed terminating the Public Broadcasting Grants at the Department of Agriculture and the Public Telecommunications Facilities Grants Program at the Department of Commerce. The president's budget justified terminating these programs, noting that: "Since 2004, the USDA Public Broadcasting Grants program has provided grants to support rural public television stations’ conversion to digital broadcasting. Digital conversion efforts mandated by the Federal Communications Commission are now largely complete, and there is no further need for this program." ...additionally: "Since 2000, most PTFP awards have supported public television stations' conversion to digital broadcasting. The digital television transition was completed in 2009, and there is no further need for DOC’s program."
Reduce Spending on Non-Essential and Questionable Research
$3.8 Million in Savings in the First Year
Since passage of the stimulus bill in February of 2009, watchdogs and media outlets have identified countless examples of wasteful, unnecessarily duplicative, and outrageous expenditures. Unfortunately, most of these expenditures only come to light after the money has been spent. This is particularly true in the area of research grants. Examples of grants made with stimulus funds about which questions have been raised after the grant was awarded include: a study on why young adults use malt liquor and marijuana in combination ($389,357); the impact of alcohol on the “hookup” behavior of female college coeds ($219,000); studying whether mice become disoriented when they consume alcohol ($8,408); developing a program for "machine-generated humor" ($712,883); studying methamphetamines and the female rat sex drive ($28,900); studying the tension between privacy and features in online social networks like Facebook ($498,000); testing how to control private home appliances in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts from an off-site computer ($787,250); developing the next generation of football gloves ($150,000); examining the division of labor in ant colonies ($950,000); and studying the Icelandic Arctic environment in the Viking Age ($94,902). While we cannot recapture money that has already been spent, this proposal would reduce funding dollar-for-dollar at each agency that approved the grants described above.
Consolidate and Reduce Funding for Federal Advisory Committees
$34 million in Savings in the First Year
($170 Million Over Five Years)
In 2008, the Federal government spent $342 million on 917 active Federal Advisory Committees. These committees had nearly 64,000 total members. Many of these committees are duplicative. For example, the National Endowment for the Arts spent $1.3 million on two separate advisory panels, both of which makes recommendations to the NEA chairman. At the U.S. Geological Survey, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee actually recommended the creation of the National Earthquake Prediction Council. Now taxpayers fund both committees at a cost of nearly $200,000 a year. These earthquake committees are in addition to a third committee run by the Department of Commerce that costs taxpayers another $43,000. In 2005, the Department of Interior even created an advisory committee to advise it on dog management at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Three years later, this committee cost taxpayers $41,000. Consolidating existing advisory committees and with a goal of reducing overall funding by 10% would save taxpayers $34 million next year and $170 million over five years.
vote here
Approximately $2 Billion in the First Year
(Approximately $30 Billion Over Ten Years)
As part of his budget, President Obama proposed providing federal civilian employees with a 1.4% pay raise next year. This year Federal employees received a 2% raise and since the year 2000 have received raises averaging 3.6% a year. USA Today recently reported that the typical federal worker is paid 20% more than a private-sector worker in the same occupation (median salary). This doesn’t include the value of benefits like health care and retirement. This proposal would expand upon the just enacted legislation to prevent Members of Congress from receiving a pay raise. This proposal would not impact the scheduled 1.4% pay raise for those in the military.
Week 3
Refocus National Archives Activities On Preserving Federal Records
$10 million in Savings in the First Year
($100 Million Over Ten Years)
The National Archives and Records Administration and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission are charged with managing Federal records. However, they also spend approximately $10 million a year on grants for state and local governments, universities and other institutions to preserve and publish non-Federal records. While a worthwhile goal, the federal government also spends $167.5 million a year on the National Endowment for the Humanities and $282 million for the Institute for Museum and Library Services which can and sometimes do fund projects towards similar ends. Refocusing the National Archives on its core mission of preserving Federal records would save taxpayers $10 million next year and $100 million over ten years.
Reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Savings estimated at $30 billion.
Since taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government sponsored mortgage-backing companies, taxpayers have injected over $145 billion into the two companies. Yet Congress still has not considered proposals to reform these companies and recoup taxpayer funds. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that absent reform, costs to taxpayer will continue to grow. Taking action to reform these companies now (as opposed to delaying action as some have proposed) by ending their government conservatorship, shrinking their portfolios, establishing minimum capital standards, and bringing transparency to taxpayer exposure could generate savings of up to an estimated $30 billion.
Terminate Broadcasting Facility Grant Programs that Have Completed their Mission
$25 million in Savings in the First Year
($250 million Over Ten Years)
In his most recent budget, President Obama proposed terminating the Public Broadcasting Grants at the Department of Agriculture and the Public Telecommunications Facilities Grants Program at the Department of Commerce. The president's budget justified terminating these programs, noting that: "Since 2004, the USDA Public Broadcasting Grants program has provided grants to support rural public television stations’ conversion to digital broadcasting. Digital conversion efforts mandated by the Federal Communications Commission are now largely complete, and there is no further need for this program." ...additionally: "Since 2000, most PTFP awards have supported public television stations' conversion to digital broadcasting. The digital television transition was completed in 2009, and there is no further need for DOC’s program."
Reduce Spending on Non-Essential and Questionable Research
$3.8 Million in Savings in the First Year
Since passage of the stimulus bill in February of 2009, watchdogs and media outlets have identified countless examples of wasteful, unnecessarily duplicative, and outrageous expenditures. Unfortunately, most of these expenditures only come to light after the money has been spent. This is particularly true in the area of research grants. Examples of grants made with stimulus funds about which questions have been raised after the grant was awarded include: a study on why young adults use malt liquor and marijuana in combination ($389,357); the impact of alcohol on the “hookup” behavior of female college coeds ($219,000); studying whether mice become disoriented when they consume alcohol ($8,408); developing a program for "machine-generated humor" ($712,883); studying methamphetamines and the female rat sex drive ($28,900); studying the tension between privacy and features in online social networks like Facebook ($498,000); testing how to control private home appliances in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts from an off-site computer ($787,250); developing the next generation of football gloves ($150,000); examining the division of labor in ant colonies ($950,000); and studying the Icelandic Arctic environment in the Viking Age ($94,902). While we cannot recapture money that has already been spent, this proposal would reduce funding dollar-for-dollar at each agency that approved the grants described above.
Consolidate and Reduce Funding for Federal Advisory Committees
$34 million in Savings in the First Year
($170 Million Over Five Years)
In 2008, the Federal government spent $342 million on 917 active Federal Advisory Committees. These committees had nearly 64,000 total members. Many of these committees are duplicative. For example, the National Endowment for the Arts spent $1.3 million on two separate advisory panels, both of which makes recommendations to the NEA chairman. At the U.S. Geological Survey, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee actually recommended the creation of the National Earthquake Prediction Council. Now taxpayers fund both committees at a cost of nearly $200,000 a year. These earthquake committees are in addition to a third committee run by the Department of Commerce that costs taxpayers another $43,000. In 2005, the Department of Interior even created an advisory committee to advise it on dog management at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Three years later, this committee cost taxpayers $41,000. Consolidating existing advisory committees and with a goal of reducing overall funding by 10% would save taxpayers $34 million next year and $170 million over five years.
vote here
Thursday, May 20, 2010
And the "You Cut" Winner Is:
New Non-Reformed Welfare Program
$2.5 billion in savings
The program was recently created to incentivize states to increase their welfare caseloads without requiring able-bodied adults to work, get job training, or otherwise prepare to move off of taxpayer assistance. Reforming the welfare program was one of the great achievements of the mid 1990s, saving taxpayers billions of dollars and ending the cycle of dependency on welfare. This new program, created in 2009 is a backdoor way to undo those reforms. The program currently costs approximately $2.5 billion a year. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
The programs to vote on this week are as follows:
Byrd Honors Scholarships
$42 Million in Savings in the First Year
($420 Million Over Ten Years)
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships program provides grants to States to provide $1,500 a year scholarships for up to four years to high-performing high school students entering an undergraduate course of study. The Obama Administration proposed terminating this program in their annual budget, stating "Byrd Scholarships are only available to a small number of elite students (around 0.3 percent of first-time postsecondary students receive the scholarship), and States are prohibited from considering financial need when awarding the scholarships. Reliable performance data are not available, and the design of the program suggests these scholarships do not generally facilitate postsecondary education opportunities that would not otherwise be possible for awardees. Given the high academic performance of the students who receive the award, many of these students would still enter an undergraduate course of study and graduate even without receiving the scholarship."
Eliminate the Proposed Federal Employee Pay Raise
Approximately $2 Billion in the First Year
(Approximately $30 Billion Over Ten Years)
As part of his budget, President Obama proposed providing federal civilian employees with a 1.4% pay raise next year. This year Federal employees received a 2% raise and since the year 2000 have received raises averaging 3.6% a year. USA Today recently reported that the typical federal worker is paid 20% more than a private-sector worker in the same occupation (median salary). This doesn’t include the value of benefits like health care and retirement. This proposal would expand upon the just enacted legislation to prevent Members of Congress from receiving a pay raise. This proposal would not impact the scheduled 1.4% pay raise for those in the military.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
$266 Million in Savings in the First Year
($2.66 Billion Over Ten Years)
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases for five years would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Terminate Funding for UNESCO
$81 Million in Savings in the First Year
($810 Million Over Ten Years)
Last year the administration proposed deleting the Department of Education’s attaché to UNESCO saving approximately $632,000 a year. Terminating U.S. support for UNESCO entirely would save taxpayers $81 million annually. The U.S. had not supported UNESCO for 19 years prior to the decision by the Bush Administration to rejoin in 2003. UNESCO routinely undertakes activities that are properly the responsibility of individual countries and their governments, including reviewing and making recommendations in areas related to education, arts, culture, ethics, science and technology, and historic preservation. UNESCO recently came under fire for their proposed International Guidelines for Sexuality Education. Membership provides little benefit to American taxpayers in light of the overall cost.
Eliminate Mohair Subsidies
Approximately $1 Million in Savings in the First Year
($10 Million Over Ten Years)
Federal price support for mohair was first enacted in 1947. The National Wool Act of 1954 established direct payments for wool and mohair producers. The purpose of the program was to encourage production of wool because it was considered an essential and strategic commodity. According to the Congressional Research Service, no similar purpose was stated for the mohair program. While this program was phased out in 1995, ad hoc payments were provided in 1999 and 2000 and the program was reinstituted in 2002. Eliminating this program once again would save taxpayers approximately $1 million a year. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
To vote go here
$2.5 billion in savings
The program was recently created to incentivize states to increase their welfare caseloads without requiring able-bodied adults to work, get job training, or otherwise prepare to move off of taxpayer assistance. Reforming the welfare program was one of the great achievements of the mid 1990s, saving taxpayers billions of dollars and ending the cycle of dependency on welfare. This new program, created in 2009 is a backdoor way to undo those reforms. The program currently costs approximately $2.5 billion a year. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
The programs to vote on this week are as follows:
Byrd Honors Scholarships
$42 Million in Savings in the First Year
($420 Million Over Ten Years)
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships program provides grants to States to provide $1,500 a year scholarships for up to four years to high-performing high school students entering an undergraduate course of study. The Obama Administration proposed terminating this program in their annual budget, stating "Byrd Scholarships are only available to a small number of elite students (around 0.3 percent of first-time postsecondary students receive the scholarship), and States are prohibited from considering financial need when awarding the scholarships. Reliable performance data are not available, and the design of the program suggests these scholarships do not generally facilitate postsecondary education opportunities that would not otherwise be possible for awardees. Given the high academic performance of the students who receive the award, many of these students would still enter an undergraduate course of study and graduate even without receiving the scholarship."
Eliminate the Proposed Federal Employee Pay Raise
Approximately $2 Billion in the First Year
(Approximately $30 Billion Over Ten Years)
As part of his budget, President Obama proposed providing federal civilian employees with a 1.4% pay raise next year. This year Federal employees received a 2% raise and since the year 2000 have received raises averaging 3.6% a year. USA Today recently reported that the typical federal worker is paid 20% more than a private-sector worker in the same occupation (median salary). This doesn’t include the value of benefits like health care and retirement. This proposal would expand upon the just enacted legislation to prevent Members of Congress from receiving a pay raise. This proposal would not impact the scheduled 1.4% pay raise for those in the military.
Suspend Federal Land Purchases
$266 Million in Savings in the First Year
($2.66 Billion Over Ten Years)
Last year Congress spent $266 million acquiring additional federal lands at the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. This is a 138% increase over the comparable amount of funding just four years ago. Given that the federal government already owns 29% of the land in America and has a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog to maintain current land holdings, suspending new federal land purchases for five years would permit the government to focus on maintaining existing property while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year.
Terminate Funding for UNESCO
$81 Million in Savings in the First Year
($810 Million Over Ten Years)
Last year the administration proposed deleting the Department of Education’s attaché to UNESCO saving approximately $632,000 a year. Terminating U.S. support for UNESCO entirely would save taxpayers $81 million annually. The U.S. had not supported UNESCO for 19 years prior to the decision by the Bush Administration to rejoin in 2003. UNESCO routinely undertakes activities that are properly the responsibility of individual countries and their governments, including reviewing and making recommendations in areas related to education, arts, culture, ethics, science and technology, and historic preservation. UNESCO recently came under fire for their proposed International Guidelines for Sexuality Education. Membership provides little benefit to American taxpayers in light of the overall cost.
Eliminate Mohair Subsidies
Approximately $1 Million in Savings in the First Year
($10 Million Over Ten Years)
Federal price support for mohair was first enacted in 1947. The National Wool Act of 1954 established direct payments for wool and mohair producers. The purpose of the program was to encourage production of wool because it was considered an essential and strategic commodity. According to the Congressional Research Service, no similar purpose was stated for the mohair program. While this program was phased out in 1995, ad hoc payments were provided in 1999 and 2000 and the program was reinstituted in 2002. Eliminating this program once again would save taxpayers approximately $1 million a year. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
To vote go here
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Eric Cantor's You Cut
I have mixed feelings about Eric Cantor, but I do think that is a good idea. It involves the public which is a good thing. The more we can get average citizens involved the better, especially since this will allow people to see for themselves some of the simply stupid things our government spends our money on. There is one on this list that I totally disagree with cutting.
Presidential Election Fund
$260 million in savings
This federal program provides matching funds to political candidates during Presidential primaries, certain third-party candidates, and funds for political conventions. In the 2008 presidential election, the candidates raised over $1.3 billion from individuals and PACs, do they really need to supplement that with taxpayer money? This proposal has been estimated to save $260 million over five years. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities
$600 million in savings
Currently, some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying, should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions? In 2008 the Federal government spent $120 million paying employees for their time spent working on union activities (over five years this would total a minimum of $600 million.) (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
HUD Program for Doctoral Dissertations
$1 million in savings
Recently, taxpayers have financed research on media strategies for housing policy and the use of eminent domain for urban redevelopment. Why should families who are struggling to pay for their children’s college also being asked to fund stipends from the government for those who want to write their dissertation on certain government-preferred policies? At approximately $200,000 in grants per year, terminating this program would save $1 million over five years.
New Non-Reformed Welfare Program
$2.5 billion in savings
The program was recently created to incentivize states to increase their welfare caseloads without requiring able-bodied adults to work, get job training, or otherwise prepare to move off of taxpayer assistance. Reforming the welfare program was one of the great achievements of the mid 1990s, saving taxpayers billions of dollars and ending the cycle of dependency on welfare. This new program, created in 2009 is a backdoor way to undo those reforms. The program currently costs approximately $2.5 billion a year. (Also proposed as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.)
Eliminate Wealthier Communities from CDBG
$2.6 billion in savings
This cut will focus federal economic development assistance to needy communities. The Community Development Block Grant program currently funds a wide range of local economic development activities, while it is advertised as a way to help low-income communities, funds are also dispersed to communities with income well-above the national average. A recent study found that the community of Newton, Massachusetts with a per capita income over twice the national average was receiving $28 per person in CDBG funds. At the same time, other communities with income 25% below the national average were receiving $10 per person. Restricting this program to only communities with income at or below 110% of national average income would save $2.6 billion over five years.
Get the information on how to vote here
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