“CAGW members are an iconoclastic bunch skeptical about politicians' promises.”- National Journal
WasteWatcher is CAGW's monthly dispatch to members of the news media. Culled from dense General Accounting Office reports, obscure news items, and the occasional account of a whistleblower, WasteWatcher's stories captured headlines by transforming the dry matter of federal financial management into side-splitting -- albeit infuriating -- tales of government ineptitude.
The North Carolina Winston-Salem Journal said of WasteWatcher that it is "a monthly publication that probably deserves wider dissemination than it gets...even heavily discounted to allow for the ax CAGW is grinding, the news from its reports is high in shock value and humor (of the gallows variety)."
By PJ Austin
WasteWatcher, May 2013
During the 112th Congress, progress was made by both the House and Senate to enact a new Farm Bill. As the House and Senate Agriculture Committees prepare to mark up draft Farm Bills in mid-May, they should examine the progress, as... more
By Luke Gelber
WasteWatcher, May 2013
April is the cruelest month for most taxpayers, but for a growing number of them, it is the months that follow that do the most damage.
Those unlucky thousands are the victims of tax refund fraud, a process in which a thief acquires someone else’s social... more
By William M. Christian
WasteWatcher, May 2013
While not as entertaining as “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” the bobby-soxer romp of the early 1960s, biennial budgeting represents a refreshing change-of-pace from the dour melodrama that Congress’ current fiscal discourse has become. On March 22, 2013, Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and... more
By Deb Collier
Wastewatcher, May 2013
There is little doubt that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs are essential to the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy.
A February 2012 Government Accountability Office... more
By Sean Kennedy
WasteWatcher, May 2013
A senior naval commander believes the troubled Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), or “Little Crappy Ship” as it has been referred to inside the Navy, does not have enough firepower. Other analysts believe the ship is not survivable.
On March 28, 2013, Bloomberg News... more
By Deborah Collier
WasteWatcher, May 2013
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) was enacted in 1986, long before widespread use of the Internet. Today’s society communicates in a dramatically different manner than in 1986, with an increasing amount of data stored digitally with third party providers.
Unfortunately, ECPA does not prohibit access to user... more
By Tom Schatz
WasteWatcher, May 2013
In 2003, Congress passed the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA - P.L. 108-173). This law made some substantial changes to Medicare and adding competitive forces to the program was a strong theme.
The change most people are aware of is the creation of Medicare Part D, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program. It was the goal of the... more
By Sean Kennedy
WasteWatcher, April 2013
Since the 1980s, private companies, the federal government, and several state governments have eliminated the uncertainties and risks associated with managing defined benefit pension plans (low interest rates, stock market declines, and an aging work force) and have migrated to defined contribution retirement options. However, many... more
By P.J. Austin
WasteWatcher, April 2013
The two primary federal disability insurance programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), provide assistance to individuals with disabilities. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes and can be supplied on a permanent or temporary basis. SSI is a means-tested program for low-income individuals... more
By Bill ChristianWasteWatcher, April 2013
For fans of the national pastime in Washington, D.C., it would be great if the Nationals could just start the new season where they left off last year. The District’s boys of summer would automatically be handed the 2013 National League East division title, and fans could spend carefree months without worrying about whether the... more
