I hope everybody had a nice relaxing holiday. We have some exciting changes at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) in 2022. Patrick Hedger was promoted from Vice President of Policy to Executive Director and Johnny Kampis was promoted from investigative journalist to Director of Telecom Policy. We also hired a new Press Secretary, Abigail Graham. Congratulations to Patrick and Johnny and a warm welcome to Abigail. TPA had a busy 2021 and we are ready for an even busier 2022. Thank you for your continued support and please feel free to send me feedback about the organization.
Plane Silliness with 5G
Once again, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finds itself stonewalled by another federal agency as it attempts to advance high-speed internet growth in the U.S. and close the digital divide without burdening taxpayers.
This time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) balked at a plan by the FCC to allow wireless providers to roll out 5G on the C-band of wireless spectrum, which was initially to begin in December. Despite years of research and planning by multiple agencies (and deployment by other countries), the FAA now claims that usage of the C-band could disrupt airflight, including accurate readings of altimeters. The FAA issued a new rule in early December that restricted more than 6,800 airplanes and helicopters from using certain automated flight systems in situations of low visibility. The FAA bases its objections on a largely rebutted report from the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA). In a November letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, AT&T and Verizon wrote that, “the RTCA Report…has been thoroughly debunked and consistently dismissed by regulators around the globe. The RTCA Report has significant documented flaws that more than negate all of RTCA’s claims of harmful interference, including using unrealistic models of 5G networks, combining multiple worst-case inputs, creating implausible test scenarios, and utilizing extreme testing standards.” The real proof is in real-world applications. Nearly 40 other nations already permit 5G to operate in the C-band spectrum without any known flight interference. For example, the European Union Safety Agency reports it is “not aware of any reported occurrence that relates to possible interference originating from 5G base stations.”
The FAA’s hurdle is just one in a series of obstacles put forth by other federal agencies that have hindered the FCC’s attempts to close the digital divide. The Department of Defense has opposed giving up unused spectrum for usage in 5G, while the Department of Transportation fought the FCC’s plan to reallocate spectrum used for Dedicated Short Range Communications for Wi-Fi use, as the Taxpayers Protection Alliance previously reported. The latest obstacle prompted six former directors of the FCC from both major parties to pen a letter arguing that the FAA’s stance “threatens to derail the reasoned conclusions reached by the FCC after years of technical analysis and study.” The concerns by the FAA have delayed the 5G rollout by at least a month. As a Bloomberg editorial noted, “Rarely has an arcane interagency dispute proved so needlessly disruptive.”
The next planned rollout date is January 19, with the aviation industries and trade groups from the telecoms agreeing to share data. Bloomberg said that an agreement such as imposing light restrictions on 5G operations near airports could mitigate concerns. It’s time for the FAA to ground its objections to the FCC’s plan. Given all the data, there’s no reason to believe the expansion of 5G into the C-band will cause airflight disruption. The regulatory uncertainty is only harming wireless providers’ abilities to expand high-speed internet to more Americans.
Labor Pains
Last year, TPA was very active in opposing David Weil to head the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Weil has been openly hostile to independent contractors and the gig economy. The last two years have re-defined the bounds of a traditional workplace. Employers and individuals have needed added flexibility and freedom to keep workers employed and the economy moving. Nominees like David Weil stand diametrically opposed to that entrepreneurial spirit. Weil has publicly stated his desire to abolish the practice of independent contracting. This would put thousands of people (Republicans AND Democrats) out of work, as the costs of hiring full-time employees is far more prohibitive than hiring flexible independent contractors. Weil has also expressed a desire to end the franchising industry as we know it in America. Franchising allows businesses to license their business model to individuals and families who would in turn get to run the franchise. Franchises are responsible for millions of jobs across the country and allow businesses to expand more easily. Lastly, Weil would no doubt act to implement many provisions of the PRO Act as an unelected bureaucrat. The PRO Act would serve as a massive boon for labor unions, effectively abolishing right-to-work laws across the country. It would also force individuals, with or without their consent, to turn over private information to labor bosses.
With the nation’s job numbers continuing to languish below expectations as the country recovers from the effects of economic lockdowns and restrictions, a nominee like David Weil is the last thing the economy needs. We applaud the efforts of Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) for their principled opposition to Weil’s re-nomination and urge all other senators to do the same.
BLOGS:
Monday: After Years of WHO Approval, Combustible Cigarettes Just Got a Christmas Present from the FDA
Wednesday: Taxpayer Watchdog Opposes Re-nomination of David Weil
Friday: Keeping the Filibuster Will Help Rein In Big Government
MEDIA:
December 16, 2021: The Livingston Parish News (Denham Springs, La.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Report says onerous pole attachment regulations significantly harm broadband growth.”
December 17, 2021: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Republicans abandon winning argument in mobile technology software debate.”
December 19, 2021: The Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, Fla.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Escambia County taking big gamble with government-owned network.”
December 20, 2021: Filter ran TPA’s op-ed, “Ex-WHO Director Slams Its Tobacco Harm Reduction Denial.”
December 20, 2021: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about electric vehicle charging stations
December 20, 2021: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “USPS must deliver greater transparency.”
December 20, 2021: The Center Square ran TPA’s op-ed, “Kentucky lawmakers make little movement this year in cutting red tape to close digital divide.”
December 20, 2021 The Northwest Signal (Napoleon, Ohio) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Pole attachment regulations harm broadband growth.”
December 21,2021: I appeared on WBOB 600 AM (Jacksonville, Fla.) to talk about inflation.
December 21, 2021: I appeared on NewsTalk STL (St. Louis, Mo.) to talk about the reconciliation package.
December 21, 2021: Inside Sources ran TPA’s op-ed, “States Reform Act is the Only Federal Cannabis Legislation That Can Compete with Black Market.”
December 22, 2021: The Washington Examiner (Washington, D.C.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Biden can speed up government, but not with half-measures.”
December 23, 2021: The American Spectator ran TPA’s op-ed, “See a Problem? Bloomberg-Funded Research Finds Bloomberg-Funded Soda Tax Is Successful.”
December 27, 2021: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about the Kirwan Commission.
December 28, 2021: Marketwatch quoted TPAF in their story, “Possible Justice Department lawsuit looms over Apple, which is facing scrutiny worldwide.”
December 29, 2021: The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “Alabama lawmakers lag in cutting broadband-inhibiting red tape.”
December 30, 2021: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about TPA’s New Year’s resolutions for Congress.
December 30, 2021: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) quoted TPA in their story, “'This is not about money': Testing challenges linger despite billions in COVID funding.”
January 2, 2022: The Santa Barbara News-Press (Santa Barbara, Calif.) ran TPA’s op-ed, “U.S. Postal Service must be more transparent.”
January 3, 2022: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about occupational licensing.
January 3. 2022: I appeared on the Tim Jones Show on 97.1 FM (St. Louis, Mo.) to talk about New Year’s resolutions for Congress.
January 4, 2022: Law 360 quoted TPA in their article, “Biden Renominates Wage Chief.”
January 5, 2022: I appeared on KWTO 93.3 FM (Springfield Mo.) to talk about New Year’s resolutions for Congress.
January 6, 2022: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) interviewed me about the FAA trying to delay 5G.
January 6, 2022: I appeared on WBOB 600 AM (Jacksonville, Fla.) to talk about the IRS.
January 6, 2022: Townhall.com ran TPA’s op-ed, “Keeping the Filibuster Will Help Rein In Big Government.”
January 6, 2022: WBFF Fox45 (Baltimore, Md.) quoted TPA in their story, “City leaders set to get a raise; taxpayer group calls for additional money to be donated.”
Have a great weekend!
