From taxes to the environment, liberals and conservatives have reached little common ground in the last few months, but one issue has brought two groups from across the aisle together in agreement: wasteful spending by the federal government.
A new report by the taxpayer watchdog group National Taxpayers Union and the liberal group U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) identifies areas in the federal budget they consider wasteful and suggest could be eliminated without affecting necessary functions of government.
“Toward Common Ground: Bridging the Political Divide to Reduce Spending” outlines the areas of agreement between the groups and promotes ideas legislators can use to cut wasteful spending.
The study identifies 30 specific items to cut in annual federal spending, including:
• $62 billion in savings by eliminating wasteful subsidies to farmers and large corporations.
• $354 billion in savings from reforming inefficient contract and acquisition procedures.
• $77 billion in savings by improving execution of existing government programs and eliminating unneeded programs.
• $108 billion in savings from ending low-priority or unnecessary military weapons systems and rightsizing other programs.
—Matthew Glans
Internet Info
“Toward Common Ground: Bridging the Political Divide to Reduce Spending,” National Taxpayers Union and Public Interest Research Group:
http://www.ntu.org/assets/pdf/policy-papers/p10-10-28-ntu-pirg-spending-cut-paper.pdf
Matthew Glans joined the staff of The Heartland Institute in November 2007 as legislative specialist for insurance and finance.
