David Williams · [email protected]

October 29, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Taxpayer Tricks and Treats of 2021: TPA Weekly Update - October 29, 2021

Taxpayer Tricks and Treats of 2021: TPA Weekly Update - October 29, 2021 Before I get to the annual Tricks and Treats, there is a trick that happened yesterday. The White House released their framework for a $1.7 trillion spending bill.  As Patrick Hedg…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 22, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Winter is Coming and Anti(dis)trust - TPA Weekly Update: October 22, 2021

Winter is Coming and Anti(dis)trust - TPA Weekly Update: October 22, 2021 Have you noticed that all of the negotiations on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package have been behind closed doors without any public hearings or townhall meetings? We notice…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 15, 2021 at 7:59 PM

TPA launches “Don’t Touch My IRA” Project and IRS Privacy Concerns - TPA Weekly Update: October 15, 2021

TPA launches “Don’t Touch My IRA” Project and IRS Privacy Concerns - TPA Weekly Update: October 15, 2021 The Baltimore City Inspector General (IG) saga continues.  The IG Advisory Board, which oversees the IG, recently tried to have a closed door meetin…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 1, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Profile in Courage and Poor Tobacco Taxes: TPA Weekly Update - October 1, 2021

Profile in Courage and Poor Tobacco Taxes: TPA Weekly Update - October 1, 2021 First, Happy Fiscal New Year!! One of the bigger projects that TPA has been working on this year is opposing the nomination of David Weil to run the Wage and Hour Division at…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

September 24, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Infrastructure Problems and Postal Healthcare - TPA Weekly Update: September 24, 2021

Infrastructure Problems and Postal Healthcare - TPA Weekly Update: September 24, 2021 There is still drama as Congress debates the debt ceiling and passing a continuing resolution to keep the government open.  The proposal is to suspend the debt ceiling…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

September 17, 2021 at 8:15 PM

New Tax Report and the IRS Power (and Money) Grab - TPA Weekly Update: September 17, 2021

New Tax Report and the IRS Power (and Money) Grab - TPA Weekly Update: September 17, 2021 There is way too much tax talk from Congress this week. In addition to our new report and the proposed IRS expansion (see below), Congress wants to raise tobacco t…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

September 10, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Groups Say “No” to Reconciliation and Baltimore Ghost Students - TPA Weekly Update: September 10 2021

Groups Say “No” to Reconciliation and Baltimore Ghost Students - TPA Weekly Update: September 10 2021 Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11.  I would like to share my experience.  On September 10, 2001, I was at a meeting in the Pentagon talking a…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

September 3, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Profile in Courage: Sen. Mike Enzi - TPA Weekly Update: September 3, 2021

Profile in Courage: Sen. Mike Enzi - TPA Weekly Update: September 3, 2021 I want to wish everybody a very Happy Labor Day.  To be honest, I prefer Memorial Day because that holiday marks the unofficial start of summer while Labor Day means the days will…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

August 27, 2021 at 7:44 PM

A New Package Tax? and a Lesson about Sales Tax Holidays - TPA Weekly Update: August 27, 2021

A New Package Tax? and a Lesson about Sales Tax Holidays - TPA Weekly Update: August 27, 2021 A Bizarre New Package Tax Starts to Emerge   With the ongoing pandemic and accompanying economic uncertainty, many Americans are hanging on by a thread mentall…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

August 20, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Baltimore City IG and the Surprise Renewable Energy - TPA Weekly Update: August 20, 2021

Baltimore City IG and the Surprise Renewable Energy - TPA Weekly Update: August 20, 2021 I despise taxpayer-funded streetcars.  They are expensive vanity projects that provide very little in the way of transportation.  The 2.2 mile D.C. Streetcar cost $…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

August 13, 2021 at 7:29 PM

Double Death Tax Defeated and Postal Problems Weekly Update - August 13, 2021

Double Death Tax Defeated and Postal Problems Weekly Update - August 13, 2021 With all the activity surrounding the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and $3.5 trillion budget package, there were other things happening at the Taxpayers Protection Allianc…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

August 6, 2021 at 8:05 PM

Taxpayer-Subsidized Green Energy and Vaccine Misinformation - TPA Weekly Update: August 6, 2021

Taxpayer-Subsidized Green Energy and Vaccine Misinformation - TPA Weekly Update: August 6, 2021 I like to think that I am a person who admits when I am wrong.  That is something my father taught me.  As a taxpayer advocate for the past 28+ years I have …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

July 30, 2021 at 8:29 PM

Profile in Courage and Closing the Digital Divide - TPA Weekly Update: July 30, 2021

Profile in Courage and Closing the Digital Divide - TPA Weekly Update: July 30, 2021 I am thrilled to start off the Weekly Update with some exciting news, Martin Cullip joined the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) team as an International Fellow for t…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

July 23, 2021 at 7:59 PM

The F-35 is a Plane Waste and Net Neutrality Redux? TPA Weekly Update - July 23, 2031

The F-35 is a Plane Waste and Net Neutrality Redux? TPA Weekly Update - July 23, 2031 How’s your summer going?  While you are hopefully having a nice relaxing summer, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is trying to pass a $1.2 trillion infras…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

July 16, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Budget Reconciliation Blues and More Telehealth Needed - TPA Weekly Update: July 16, 2021

Budget Reconciliation Blues and More Telehealth Needed - TPA Weekly Update: July 16, 2021 The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is considering the nomination of David Weil to head the Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Divisio…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

July 9, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Profile in Courage and A BRIDGE Act Too Far: TPA Weekly Update - July 9, 2021

Profile in Courage and A BRIDGE Act Too Far: TPA Weekly Update - July 9, 2021 While we were monitoring all the happenings at the federal level, late last week we came across an attempt by Baltimore County executive Johnny Olszewski to try and weaken the …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

July 2, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Happy Fourth of July from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Happy Fourth of July from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Even though there is A LOT going on in the halls of Congress and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this week, I’ll keep this Weekly Update short. No policy re-caps, no media hits, and no blog lists. I ju…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

June 25, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Labor Pains and A Bad Day at the Beach - TPA Weekly Update: June 25, 2021

Labor Pains and A Bad Day at the Beach - TPA Weekly Update: June 25, 2021 The bi-partisan infrastructure deal was released yesterday.  Do you like massive taxpayer spending?  Do you like tax increases? Do you want to give the IRS more power?  If you answ…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

June 18, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Buck Should Stop Here and Green Bank Shot: TPA Weekly Update - June 18, 2021

Buck Should Stop Here and Green Bank Shot: TPA Weekly Update - June 18, 2021 Earlier this week, Lindsey Stroud (Director of the Consumer Center at TPA) submitted commentary and a video to the National Assembly of Serbia regarding harm reduction.  First, …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

June 11, 2021 at 8:29 PM

Infrastructure Week and Global Minimum Tax: TPA Weekly Update - June 11, 2021

Infrastructure Week and Global Minimum Tax: TPA Weekly Update - June 11, 2021 On Tuesday, a story ran that showed that tax information about Elon Musk, Michael Bloomberg, George Soros, and others was leaked by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The sto…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

June 4, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Profile in Courage and Biden's Bogus Budget - TPA Weekly Update: June 4, 2021

Profile in Courage and Biden's Bogus Budget - TPA Weekly Update: June 4, 2021 Even though there wasn’t a Weekly Update last week, quite a bit happened. The big news coming out of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) was that Lindsey Stroud was promote…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

May 21, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Tax Day 2021 - Simplify the Tax Code and Keep the IRS away from Preparing Taxes: TPA Weekly Update - May 21, 2021

Tax Day 2021 - Simplify the Tax Code and Keep the IRS away from Preparing Taxes: TPA Weekly Update - May 21, 2021 I want to welcome Courtney Mattison to the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) team.  We are super excited to have her on board as TPA’s new…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

May 14, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Colorado Rate-Setting and Die Once, Pay Twice: TPA Weekly Update - May 14, 2021

Colorado Rate-Setting and Die Once, Pay Twice: TPA Weekly Update - May 14, 2021 There are a lot of issues that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) works on.  And, at times, there are natural crossovers like the infrastructure bill that will combine a…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

May 7, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Big Tech Reality Check and The PRO Act Union Problem - TPA Weekly Update: May 7, 2021

Big Tech Reality Check and The PRO Act Union Problem - TPA Weekly Update: May 7, 2021 I recently read a news article that said trillions of cicadas are ready to appear after a 17-year absence.  Whenever I see the word "trillions," I think of current budg…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

April 30, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Profile in Courage and World IP Day: TPA Weekly Update - April 30, 2021

Profile in Courage and World IP Day: TPA Weekly Update - April 30, 2021 When the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) was formed 10 years ago, I knew that at some point TPA was going to have to address the intersection of taxpayer and consumer issues and …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

April 23, 2021 at 7:44 PM

The Postal Service is Creepy and The Many Costs of War - TPA Weekly Update: April 23, 2021

The Postal Service is Creepy and The Many Costs of War - TPA Weekly Update: April 23, 2021 On Wednesday, Senate Republicans voted to keep their self-imposed earmark ban.  That is sort of good news because House Republicans decided to restore earmarks (an…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

April 16, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Biden's Big Budget and NASA's Sky High Budget: TPA Weekly Update - April 16, 2021

Biden's Big Budget and NASA's Sky High Budget: TPA Weekly Update - April 16, 2021 I was very disappointed and saddened to hear that Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) will be retiring from Congress in 2022.  He’s had an amazing career and the Taxpayers Protectio…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

April 9, 2021 at 7:44 PM

Profile in Courage and Biden's Broadband Boondoggle: TPA Weekly Update - April 9, 2021

Profile in Courage and Biden's Broadband Boondoggle: TPA Weekly Update - April 9, 2021 You have probably heard some rumblings about President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan.  There is a lot to be concerned about.  Today, I wanted to point out th…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

April 2, 2021 at 7:49 PM

The Importance of Protecting Intellectual Property: TPA Weekly Update - April 2, 2021

The Importance of Protecting Intellectual Property: TPA Weekly Update - April 2, 2021 I want to give a special shout out to Garrett Ballengee and everybody that works at the Cardinal Institute. Earlier this week, Governor Jim Justice (R-W.V.) signed into…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

March 26, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Big Tech is Small Biz & Postal's 10-Year Plan - TPA Weekly Update: March 26, 2021

Big Tech is Small Biz & Postal's 10-Year Plan - TPA Weekly Update: March 26, 2021 What an interesting week for our very own Lindsey Stroud. In addition to being blocked on Twitter by the nanny state proponents at Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids this w…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

March 19, 2021 at 8:35 PM

TPA's 10-Year Anniversary & GOP Votes for Earmarks - TPA Weekly Update: March 19, 2021

TPA's 10-Year Anniversary & GOP Votes for Earmarks - TPA Weekly Update: March 19, 2021 Last weekend, the Biden administration said that they are considering raising taxes to pay for an infrastructure bill. Last weekend, the Biden administration said…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

March 12, 2021 at 8:59 PM

Roadmap to Fiscal Sanity for the 117th Congress: TPA Weekly Update - March 12, 2021

Roadmap to Fiscal Sanity for the 117th Congress: TPA Weekly Update - March 12, 2021 This week is the one-year anniversary of the state and national COVID-19 lockdowns.  This week is the one-year anniversary of the state and national COVID-19 lockdowns. …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

February 26, 2021 at 11:19 PM

Profile in Courage and Another COVID Relief Bill - TPA Weekly Update: February 26, 2021

Profile in Courage and Another COVID Relief Bill - TPA Weekly Update: February 26, 2021 First, some really good news. The Senate Parliamentarian ruled against increasing the minimum wage.  First, some really good news. The Senate Parliamentarian ruled t…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

February 19, 2021 at 8:08 PM

The Return of Earmarks? And Stop the GameStop Madness: TPA Weekly Update - February 19, 2021

The Return of Earmarks? And Stop the GameStop Madness: TPA Weekly Update - February 19, 2021 Earmarks are corrupt giveaways that unnecessarily burden American taxpayers. So, you think it’s been a busy month in Washington, D.C. for the Taxpayers Protecti…

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  Patrick Hedger · [email protected]

February 12, 2021 at 11:48 PM

The Small Business Side of Big Tech

The Small Business Side of Big Tech Hey everyone, this is Patrick Hedger, TPA’s VP of Policy, writing to you this week about launch of our new project, the Government Antitrust Accountability Project. Antitrust is at the tip of tongues on both sides of t…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

February 5, 2021 at 9:22 PM

Biden's Push for Min. Wage Increase is Ludicrous: TPA Weekly Update Feb 5, 21

Biden's Push for Min. Wage Increase is Ludicrous: TPA Weekly Update Feb 5, 21 Groundhog Day is such a weird tradition. Every year on February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil crawls out of his home. If he sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter. In W…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

January 29, 2021 at 8:53 PM

Booze, New Staff + NASA: TPA Weekly Update: January 29, 2021

Booze, New Staff + NASA: TPA Weekly Update: January 29, 2021 The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has grown again. This week we welcomed MacKenzie Morales to the TPA team. MacKenzie is the new Director of Operations so she will be involved in a lot of…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

January 22, 2021 at 9:14 PM

Biden's First Two Fiscal Follies - TPA Weekly Update: January 22, 2021

Biden's First Two Fiscal Follies - TPA Weekly Update: January 22, 2021 Joe Biden was officially sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday.  Even with a significant presence of National Guard and security personnel, the transfer of…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

January 15, 2021 at 9:14 PM

The WHO's 1-year Anniversary and Meet the New (Ag) Boss - TPA Weekly Update: January 15, 2021

The WHO's 1-year Anniversary and Meet the New (Ag) Boss - TPA Weekly Update: January 15, 2021 I want to welcome two new policy analysts, Lindsey Stroud and Daniel Savickas, to the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) team.  Lindsey’s work on tobacco harm…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

January 8, 2021 at 9:29 PM

A Shameful Day of Violence - TPA Weekly Update: January 8, 2021

A Shameful Day of Violence - TPA Weekly Update: January 8, 2021 Because of the events that happened on Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, this Weekly Update is going to be different.  Instead of a cutesy intro or a listing of blogs or media, I want to expre…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

December 18, 2020 at 9:14 PM

We Made a List: Naughty and Nice - TPA Weekly Update: December 18, 2020

We Made a List: Naughty and Nice - TPA Weekly Update: December 18, 2020 This is the last Weekly Update of the year. Not to worry, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) will still be monitoring what’s going on in Washington, D.C. and around the country…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

December 11, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Why is Tech Regulation in the Defense Bill and the C-Band Auction Begins: TPA Weekly Update - December 11, 2020

Why is Tech Regulation in the Defense Bill and the C-Band Auction Begins: TPA Weekly Update - December 11, 2020 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and not in a good way. Congress still hasn’t finished the spending bills and now they are passing…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

December 4, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 and Thank You Chairman Pai - TPA Weekly Update: December 4, 2020

Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 and Thank You Chairman Pai - TPA Weekly Update: December 4, 2020 Usually, when you hear the term “bipartisan,” that means something good is happening.  Well, when it comes to fixing surprise medical bills that isn’t the case. …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

November 25, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Happy Thanksgiving from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance!   2020 Taxpayer Turkeys   I really enjoy Thanksgiving. It’s a time to gather with friends and family and give thanks. Even though 2020 has been quite a year for us at the Taxpayers Protection Al…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

November 20, 2020 at 9:14 PM

A $9.2 Billion Postal Plunder and Time to Speed up the Transition - TPA Weekly Update: November 20, 2020

A $9.2 Billion Postal Plunder and Time to Speed up the Transition - TPA Weekly Update: November 20, 2020 Needless to say, it’s been a tough year for small businesses.  But, not to worry, the Internal Revenue Service just made it worse. According to a re…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

November 13, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Believe in Actual Science, Not Political Science: TPA Weekly Update - November 13, 2020

Believe in Actual Science, Not Political Science: TPA Weekly Update - November 13, 2020   Of course there’s a second Friday the 13th in 2020.  I’m not superstitious (except for when my sports teams are playing) so I don’t buy into the nonsense.  But, to…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

November 6, 2020 at 9:14 PM

Antitrust Accountability Project Launch and Victory in Texas - TPA Weekly Update: November 6, 2020

Antitrust Accountability Project Launch and Victory in Texas - TPA Weekly Update: November 6, 2020 Check out our new project. Congratulations to the presumptive winner Joe Biden and everyone else who won their elections this week. It was an interesting…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 30, 2020 at 8:14 PM

BOO! Taxpayer Tricks and Treats - TPA Weekly Update: October 30, 2020

BOO! Taxpayer Tricks and Treats - TPA Weekly Update: October 30, 2020 Spooky season is here! Last week I told you about $14 million being spent to build a 4G wireless network on the moon. Well, the moon is still in the news with the discovery of water …

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 23, 2020 at 8:14 PM

4G on the Moon and The Postal Sky Isn't Falling - TPA Weekly Update: October 23, 2020

4G on the Moon and The Postal Sky Isn't Falling - TPA Weekly Update: October 23, 2020 NASA’s 4G Moon Shot   Ok, so this is weird, even by Washington, D.C. standards.  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wants to build a taxpayer-fun…

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  David Williams · [email protected]

October 15, 2020 at 2:59 PM

SAVE THE DATE: TPA 10th Anniversary Gala

SAVE THE DATE: TPA 10th Anniversary Gala You won't want to miss this. A celebration like no other in DC.  Please mark your calendar and join us to celebrate TPA's 10 years!    We're doing things a b…

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