From National Taxpayers Union  September 27, 2007 Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of the millions of Americans represented by our respective organizations, we write in strong support of the House discharge petition (H. Res. 559) to call a vote on H. Res. 479. This resolution would ensure all earmarks are publicly disclosed and subject [...]

Thursday, September 27, 2007 By: Ben Giovine Wastewatcher, September 2007 Since its creation in March 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been dogged by criticism of its ability to fight waste, abuse and mismanagement. On September 6, 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its latest report with recommendations (on top of the [...]

Thursday, September 27, 2007 By: David Williams Wastewatcher, September 2007 When many Americans think of Europe, they conjure up images of slow-moving socialist bureaucracies. While this type of government exists in some countries, there is a growing free market and taxpayer movement spreading throughout the continent. Since 2003, taxpayer and free market groups have gathered [...]

Thursday, September 27, 2007 By: Alexa Moutevelis Wastewatcher, September 2007 Congress is considering changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as well as increasing the availability of state-sponsored insurance funds.  Both initiatives would expose taxpayers to massive costs. The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007, H.R. 3121, reauthorizes the NFIP for five [...]

Thursday, September 27, 2007 By: Leslie K. Paige Wastewatcher, September 2007 The I-35 Bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people, dominated several news cycles and gave politicians the kind of somber photo ops they can rarely resist.  In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee [...]