Topic: Taxpayers for Common Sense

In surprise move, GOP leaders admit defeat in payroll tax battle

House GOP leaders had wanted to offset the cost of a payroll tax extension by spending cuts. But their decision Monday suggests that the political cost of a stalemate was too high.

Another Solyndra already? Some worry even worse is coming.

Beacon Power, like Solyndra a recipient of a federal loan guarantee under the DOE's renewable energy program, has declared bankruptcy, leaving taxpayers to pay the tab. But the firm is tiny. Bigger ones are out there.

If Senate repeals ethanol subsidies, what happens at the gas pump?

The Senate vote on repealing tax subsidies for ethanol producers has big political ramifications, but the impact on the industry could be minimal. A continuing federal mandate that requires refiners to blend ethanol into gasoline provides adequate support for producers, experts say.

Budget hawks: Does US need to give gas and oil companies $41 billion a year?

As President Obama and Congress look for budget cuts, some experts say federal energy subsidies are ripe for trimming. Among oil companies, nuclear power, and coal, who gets what from US taxpayers?

Why the budget deficit is so hard for Congress to shrink

Congress has less and less leeway for closing the budget deficit as outlays for entitlement programs grow.

Top 10 senators seeking earmarks

The omnibus spending bill died Thursday in the Senate amid controversy over the practice of earmarking, or inserting funding for pet projects into legislation. Here are the senators who sought the most spending for their states, ranked by the monetary value of proposed earmarks, whether alone or with others.

With big spending bill's demise, is 'earmark' new dirty word on Hill?

Deficit hawks and watchdog groups see Thursday's demise of an omnibus spending bill in the Senate as a turning point. A critical mass of lawmakers, they say, are committed to an earmark ban.

Democrats rally behind their 'mom in tennis shoes,' Sen. Patty Murray

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington is facing a strong challenge from GOP candidate Dino Rossi. Top Democrats from Michelle Obama to former President Bill Clinton have vowed to help.

'Pork barrel' spending: A big liability for lawmakers in 2010 election?

With the federal deficit at $1.5 trillion, some voters are balking at politicians who tout a record of securing ‘pork barrel’ projects.

5 famous pork projects: Beer museum and more

Coined from an 1863 story called “The Children of the Public,” pork-barrel spending referred to any public funds spent to benefit the public. Over time, the term has evolved, referring to projects seen as wasteful, or that may only benefit a small group but the costs are spread out between all taxpayers. Of course, often, one politician's pork is another politician's legitimate expense.

The Citizens Against Government Waste puts out an annual "Congressional Pig Book" that listed 9,129 projects at a cost of $16.5 billion in 2010..

Here a selection of US "pork" projects from recent years:

Election 2010: a fight over jobs and recovery vs. deficit and debt

Trillion-dollar annual US deficits are unprecedented, and many voters are alarmed by them. But the public also wants a jobs recovery. How those dual issues will affect Election 2010 races.

Congress scoffs at Obama's plan to trim 'pork' spending

A White House plan released Monday would give the president more power to cut 'pork' spending. But Congress controls the federal purse strings jealously.

House Republicans, besting Democrats, will ban all earmarks

House Republicans said Thursday they will adopt a unilateral, one-year ban on funding requests for all member projects, or earmarks. House Democrats put forward a partial ban the day before.

Federal budget: Congress's return to bad spending habits

Congress has spent all its time on other efforts, like healthcare. Now, time is running short to pass a federal budget, and Congress is having to take its typical shortcuts.

Using TARP funds for job creation: creative or reckless?

As banks pay back TARP funds, President Obama and Democrats consider putting that money toward job creation. Conservatives say that will just add to the deficit.

Nuclear power’s new debate: cost

Issues of safety and waste make way for a focus on funding.

'Pig Book': Congressional 'pork' hits $19.6 billion in 2009

Citizens Against Government Waste released its annual report on 'pork barrel' projects Tuesday.

New earmarks -- some are transparent, some are like Jimmy Hoffa

Pesky earmarks still in eye of budget storm

‘Member projects’ are a tiny part of the federal budget, but they’re a problem for Obama.

How bailout deal will impact next president

A $700 billion US rescue of banks is not likely to crimp McCain's or Obama'sspending plans, at least in the short term.

Lawmaker ethics. An oxymoron?

Democrats promised to make Congress more ethical. Did they succeed? A little ... maybe.

Veterans groups seek dedicated funding for healthcare

The V.A. has yearly funding crunches because of lag time in Congress's appropriations process, they say.

Capitol Hill 'pork' reformer faces uphill battle

Rep. Jeff Flake, a crusader against 'pork' spending, is being punished by GOP leadership, watchdog groups say.