Government Waste Thread (Open to all to post)

[Toby]

Judicial Watch Uncovers New Documents Detailing Pelosi's Use of Air Force Aircraft for Her Family in 2010

Washington, DC -- July 21, 2011
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has obtained new documents from the United States Air Force (USAF) detailing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of USAF aircraft in 2010. The records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which include flight manifests, expense summaries, copies of receipts and Congressional correspondence, detail a number of trips made by Speaker Pelosi in 2010, including:

•A May 6-10, 2010, Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan and Germany “to discuss issues of mutual interest in Qatar and Afghanistan, as well as conduct oversight on women’s issues (troops) in Afghanistan and to visit with US troops and meet with government officials in Germany.” The total cost of military travel was $204,135.00. The records indicate then-Speaker Pelosi made a personal request that the “maximum per diem allowance be made available at the enhanced rate of an additional $50.”
•Numerous trips were made by Speaker Pelosi between San Francisco and Andrews Air Force Base. Several of these trips included members of Speaker Pelosi’s family, including her husband, daughter, granddaughters and son-in law. For example, one “Staff Summary Sheet” detailing a January 4, 2010, flight from San Francisco to Andrews Air Force Base notes that Pelosi’s daughter Christina “owes for $99.00 (flight) and $7.82 (meal).” The documents suggest that the Speaker’s office was billed for the fees but do not indicate whether the bills were paid.
•A January 7-11, 2010, Congressional Delegation to Detroit, Michigan, for the expressed purpose of reviewing “the impact of congressional appropriations and policy in promoting innovation, technological development and job creation in US auto industry.” The Detroit trip required $24,336.60 in commercial air travel and an additional $10,046.87 in expenses. The Pentagon also paid for military escorts for the trip.
•One document notes that the mode of transportation for the trip would be “Comair and Milair,” (commercial air travel and military air travel). However, the only cost related to the military portion of the transportation detailed in the records is a $15,000 advance secured for ground transportation, meals and lodging. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) drove himself to Detroit and sought $228 in mileage reimbursement. A total of 24 House Members (16 Democrats, 8 Republicans), led by then-Speaker Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), were on the list of trip participants.
Overall, according to documents uncovered by Judicial Watch in January 2011, Pelosi used the Air Force aircraft for a total of 43 trips, covering 90,155 miles, from January 1 through October 1, 2010. Judicial Watch, through FOIA, continues to pursue other records related to Pelosi’s use of Air Force aircraft.

Previous documents obtained by Judicial Watch show the former Speaker’s military travel cost the USAF $2,100,744.59 over one two-year period — $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. For example, purchases for one Pelosi-led congressional delegation traveling from Washington, DC, through Tel Aviv, Israel to Baghdad, Iraq May 15-20, 2008 included: Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey’s Irish Crème, Maker’s Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine.

Judicial Watch Uncovers New Documents Detailing Pelosi's Use of Air Force Aircraft for Her Family in 2010 | Judicial Watch


Remember she is one of the wealthiest in congress

[Toby]

Judicial Watch Uncovers New Documents Detailing Pelosi's Use of Air Force Aircraft for Her Family in 2010




Judicial Watch Uncovers New Documents Detailing Pelosi's Use of Air Force Aircraft for Her Family in 2010 | Judicial Watch


Remember she is one of the wealthiest in congress

Pelosi aide defends $35K congressional tab for Detroit auto show


http://www.detnews.com/article/20110725/AUTO01/107250401/1361/Congressional-tab-for-Detroit-auto-show--$35-000

[Toby]

Obama Dedicates Another $95 Mil To “Social Equity” Program

While Congress raises the nation’s debt limit by trillions to accommodate President Obama’s manic spending spree, the commander-in-chief keeps hurling big chunks of taxpayer dollars at new government programs that aim to bring “social equity” to underserved communities.

Among them is an imaginative multi-agency project (Partnership for Sustainable Communities) that helps low-income communities improve access to affordable housing, transportation options and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment. Less than a month ago the administration celebrated its second anniversary by bragging that three federal agencies have doled out more than $2.5 billion in “assistance” to promote “equitable development” while addressing the “challenges of climate change.”

A few days ago Obama’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan, proudly announced an additional $95 million to support sustainable local initiatives through the end of the fiscal year. The money will help expand housing choices, improve connections between employment centers and homes and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. At least that’s HUD’s version of how the tax dollars will be spent.

But what exactly does it all mean? Donovan, who refers to the program as “an important commitment” his boss made to American families, explains it this way: "Connecting affordable housing choices with quality schools and jobs not only ensures families will be able to provide a safe environment for their children, but it also provides communities large and small with the resources they need to make a sustainable plan for their future.”

Obama Dedicates Another $95 Mil To

Resetting the same scenario that served as the catalyst for the mortgage meltdown

[Toby]

White House budget office raised risk on big solar loan guarantee

The White House budget office raised flags about the first energy loan guarantee awarded under the Obama administration, adding another layer of questions to the taxpayer backed financing now at the center of a House investigation.

In 2009, as the Department of Energy pushed to close the $535 million loan guarantee to California solar panel maker Solyndra Inc., the Office of Management and Budget concluded the financing was a greater risk to taxpayers than did DOE, iWatch News has learned. That higher risk rating, in turn, forced the government to set aside more money in case the company defaults on payments.

The Department of Energy pressed ahead, formally approving the deal in September 2009 while portraying the Solyndra loan guarantee as a symbol of President Obama’s quest to spread green energy projects with government backing.

Today, the Solyndra financing has evolved into something of a litmus test of how well the Energy Department has doled out billions of taxpayer dollars for clean energy initiatives.

White House budget office raised risk on big solar loan guarantee | iWatch News

[Toby]

Amtrak blows $1 Billion in Homeland Security grant to thwart terrorism
Continue reading on Examiner.com Amtrak blows $1 Billion in Homeland Security grant to thwart terrorism - National Law Enforcement | Examiner.com Amtrak blows $1 Billion in Homeland Security grant to thwart terrorism - National Law Enforcement | Examiner.com

[Toby]

Aug 8, 3:41 PM EDT


White House announces $105 million in Africa aid


News from The Associated Press

Mag's you wondering where your SSI money is headed?

[Toby]

Big Sis

New security cameras to keep eye on Muni buses

New security cameras to keep eye on Muni buses | Joshua Sabatini | Local | San Francisco Examiner

[Toby]

Ever wonder why California is so broke?

endless list of California state agencies:

The PJ Tatler » Ever wonder why California is so broke?

[Toby]

Why Illinois Can't Afford its Poor Dead

Why Illinois Can't Afford its Poor Dead | NBC Chicago

Bet they have thier names so they can vote though..

[Toby]

Democratic Hill staffers head to Maui on taxpayers’ dime for Senate Indian Affairs Committee field hearing

Read more: Hill Staffers | Maui Taxpayer Trip | Senate Committee Hearing | The Daily Caller