|
Using the phrase “fiscal responsibility” and the word “Washington” in the same sentence is like mixing oil and water – it just doesn’t work. The more that Congress decides to take up gargantuan spending packages, the more susceptible that your hard-earned taxpayer dollars become to waste, fraud, and abuse. You may not have known this, but under the $2 trillion bailout bill that was signed by President Biden, $360 billion in taxpayer dollars were sent to state and local governments. That money – your money – has been used for pet projects instead of providing timely and targeted relief to key areas. As I always say, let’s turn to the facts:
- The state of Maine wants to spend $16 million of taxpayer dollars to improve its fishing industry, update its state parks, and create electric vehicle charging stations.
- Philadelphia wants to spend $18 million of taxpayer dollars to test a pilot program on “universal basic income” – which has a high likelihood of compounding our nation’s labor shortage.
- In Hawaii, $200,000 in taxpayer dollars were used for enhanced cleaning services for streets.
- In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer used $24 million in taxpayer dollars to create a free college tuition program.
Unnecessary pet projects, ulterior political motives, and an unwillingness to act with urgency on issues that directly affect the American people is disgraceful, and we’re seeing that play out across the country. America is more than capable of achieving a substantial comeback, but the more that the states and federal government refuse to get serious – and let unnecessary spending reign – that comeback will continue to slip out of reach. It’s time to get serious about the direction this country is headed, and I’ll continue to push for further accountability in Washington so that your hard-earned money can be protected. You deserve that.
Recently, I received an impassioned letter from Elizabeth Bradley of Bessemer City about the American ideal and the freedoms that we proudly espouse in this country. In her letter, she lays out her argument as to how the American ideal can be defined, what it means to be an American, and how God has bestowed upon us the freedoms we hold so dear. Here is a short excerpt:
“The American ideal is the revolutionary thought that it is not by government, nor wealth, nor any human intervention that people have rights, but by the divine power of God. And it is for this very reason that we have been uniquely and divinely blessed thus far in our pursuits as a nation.”
On Monday, I took to the House floor to speak about Ms. Bradley’s letter and how America will always remain one nation under God. To watch my speech, click here.
Scam Alert For Burke County
If you live in Burke County, you should be on the lookout – a new scam is taking hold. Recently, the Burke County government issued a statement about numerous residents receiving letters in the mail that are disguised as official notices from the Burke County Tax Office. These letters claim that a notice has been issued of the recipient because of a lien filing – due to a tax liability – that has gone unpaid. Subsequently, the recipient is directed to a phone number to resolve the issue in its entirety.
Make sure to pay attention to this: any legitimate letter sent by the Burke County Tax Office will have official letterhead and a bill number that corresponds with the charges that may be listed. A rule of thumb, that I want to relay to you as often as I can, is that exchanging personal information over the phone is a red flag. If you’re a resident of Burke County and want verification over tax letters that are sent to you, call the Burke County Tax Office at 828-764-9430.
Quote of The Week
“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you where they are.”
-James W. Frick
Have a blessed weekend.
Sincerely,
|
