Dear Representative:

Taxpayers for Common Sense Action urges you to support amendments from Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and others to strike earmarked spending from H.R. 2829, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, Fiscal Year 2008. This bill contains 168 Congressional and Administration earmarks worth more than $980 million. Facing a massive deficit, the top priority for Congress should be eliminating wasteful programs and reducing unnecessary spending, not micromanaging agency decision-making with earmarks.

Earmarking dilutes the effectiveness of agency spending. Programs should be funded based on their merits, not the strength of the political muscle backing them.

While Taxpayers for Common Sense Action supports Appropriations Committee efforts toward greater transparency and reducing the number and cost of earmarks by half, more can and should be done. We urge you to support amendments to reduce the cost and strip earmarked projects out of the FY08 Financial Services Appropriations. If you would like more information or to discuss this further, please contact me or Steve Ellis at 202-546-8500 ext.126, or steve@taxpayer.net.

Sincerely,

Ryan Alexander
President