David Williams · [email protected]

February 4, 2022 at 8:59 PM

Antitrust Bill Threatens Child Safety and Intellectual Property - TPA Weekly Update: February 4, 2022

Antitrust Bill Threatens Child Safety and Intellectual Property - TPA Weekly Update: February 4, 2022 It was a big week for the Consumer Center at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Foundation (TPAF).  Before I…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

January 28, 2022 at 9:59 PM

Smile, You're on Candid IRS Camera and Happy Anniversary Baltimore IG! - TPA Weekly Update: January 28, 2022

Smile, You're on Candid IRS Camera and Happy Anniversary Baltimore IG! - TPA Weekly Update: January 28, 2022 Many of you may not be familiar with the name Chip Baltimore.  Chip, a Senior Fellow with the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), works on tele…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

January 21, 2022 at 8:59 PM

Protect the Filibuster and Postal Banking Failure - TPA Weekly Update: January 21, 2022

Protect the Filibuster and Postal Banking Failure - TPA Weekly Update: January 21, 2022 Congress is usually best when it does nothing. When doing nothing, they can’t spend money on ridiculous things and they can’t raise taxes.  Congress is usually best…

See More from David Williams

  Patrick Hedger · [email protected]

January 14, 2022 at 9:20 PM

Antitrust Bill Abandons Principles and Mosby Must Go: TPA Weekly Update - January 14, 2021

Antitrust Bill Abandons Principles and Mosby Must Go: TPA Weekly Update - January 14, 2021 Hello everyone and happy Friday. This is Patrick Hedger, Executive Director of TPA, filling in for David this week.    First and foremost, I’d like to start by re…

See More from Patrick Hedger

  David Williams · [email protected]

January 7, 2022 at 8:44 PM

Plane Silliness and Continued Labor Pains - TPA Weekly Update: January 7, 2022

Plane Silliness and Continued Labor Pains - TPA Weekly Update: January 7, 2022 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 Presid…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

December 24, 2021 at 4:59 PM

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! View this email in your browser Our mailing address is: 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 1120 Washington, DC xxxxxx Wan…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

December 17, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Net Neutrality Anniversary and European Tech Follies: TPA Weekly Update - December 17, 2021

Net Neutrality Anniversary and European Tech Follies: TPA Weekly Update - December 17, 2021 Members of Congress are a bunch of cowards.  This week Congress raised the debt ceiling by $2.5 TRILLION.  This should last until early 2023.  Think about that. …

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

December 11, 2021 at 12:54 AM

Digital Pole Position and Davis-Bacon Problems - TPA Weekly Update: December 10, 2021

Digital Pole Position and Davis-Bacon Problems - TPA Weekly Update: December 10, 2021 A recent Politico article highlighted the fact that Vice President Kamala Harris uses wired headphones instead of Bluetooth headphones.  The speculation is that her ti…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

December 3, 2021 at 9:29 PM

Racist IRS Audits and Dangerous Drug Price Controls - TPA Weekly Update: December 3, 2021

Racist IRS Audits and Dangerous Drug Price Controls - TPA Weekly Update: December 3, 2021 In case you missed it, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Foundation (TPAF) hosted a briefing on Competition and Security in the App Economy.  TPAF’s very own Patri…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

November 19, 2021 at 9:02 PM

Don't Blame the Referee and Don't Touch My (or anybody's) IRA - TPA Weekly Update: November 19, 2021

Don't Blame the Referee and Don't Touch My (or anybody's) IRA - TPA Weekly Update: November 19, 2021 I want to give you a heads up that there won’t be a Weekly Update next week.  The TPA staff will be enjoying Thanksgiving and getting a much-needed brea…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

November 12, 2021 at 8:44 PM

Bad COP and no Good COP - TPA Weekly Update: November 12, 2021

Bad COP and no Good COP - TPA Weekly Update: November 12, 2021 I am turning the Weekly Update over to Lindsey Stroud, the Director of the Consumer Center at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA).  The World Health Organization (WHO) held its ninth Con…

See More from David Williams

  David Williams · [email protected]

November 5, 2021 at 7:29 PM

App Security and Net Neutrality Redux? - TPA Weekly Update: November 5, 2021

App Security and Net Neutrality Redux? - TPA Weekly Update: November 5, 2021 Yes, I know, this Weekly Update is focused on tech and telecom and there are two massive spending bills being debated.  We are keeping a very close eye on these bills and will …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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 $…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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 …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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 …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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, …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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 …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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. …

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from Patrick Hedger

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams

  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…

See More from David Williams