Results of testing government knowledge

by | May 9, 2012 | GOP Commentary

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute examines the relationship between higher education, civic knowledge and citizenship. http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/2011/summary_summary.html

It’s interesting to note that college educators have on average only gotten a 55% correct answer rate on the test. Average Americans got only a 49% average correct. Take it, and see how well you can do…

http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692

The Cost of EPA Lawsuits

by | May 9, 2012 | GOP Commentary

from Cathy McMorris-Rodgers

Fact of the Day: From 1999-2010, the U.S. Department of Justice spent $43 million to defend the EPA against lawsuits and paid out $14.2 million in attorneys fees alone from 2003-2010 – 75% of which went to environmental groups. Source: Government Accountability Office (GAO), Report 11-650 (published August 2011).

WA State Dept. of Ecology’s Payroll

by | May 9, 2012 | GOP Commentary

 

Have you ever wondered how much we’re paying the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) in the way of salaries?  Here is a link to the State Office of Financial Management which breaks down the earnings for each of the 461 employees that the DOE has on its (YOUR) payroll.  http://www.ofm.wa.gov/persdetail/2011/461.pdf

 

If you are interested to see how your tax dollars are being spent in other departments as far as personnel – er, human resources – is concerned, click here: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/persdetail/2011/alpha.asp#e

The public debt as compared to our household budget

by | May 9, 2012 | GOP Commentary

This puts the U.S. national debt in perspective: • U.S. tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000 • Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000 • Current deficit: $1,650,000,000,000 • National debt: $14,271,000,000,000 • Budget cuts: $38,500,000,000 Now, let’s remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:

• Annual family income: $21,700

• Money the family spent: $38,200

• Additional charges on the credit card: $16,500

• Current credit-card balance: $142,710 • Budget cuts: $385

Hey Big Spender 2012

by | May 9, 2012 | GOP Commentary

Initiative 960 requires that the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) determine the ten-year cost to taxpayers of any proposed legislation that would raise taxes, impose new fees, or increase current fees.

The Freedom Foundation has compiled all tax and fee increases by bill sponsor. The resulting list of proposed tax and fee increases is shown below.

The Freedom Foundation has just posted its “Big Spender” list. Find out how much “your” legislator will cost you… http://www.myfreedomfoundation.com/index.php/site/view/hey_big_spender_2012