Watchdog Groups Unveil $260 Million in Government Waste

2010 Tennessee Pork Report provides nearly 100 examples of wasted tax dollars

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today released the 2010 Tennessee Pork Report, exposing $260 million in waste, fraud, and abuse at all levels of Tennessee government. Tennessee’s free market think tank partnered with Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s leading taxpayer watchdog, to publish the report. This marks the fifth annual Pork Report published by the two groups.

The wasteful spending revealed in the 2010 Pork Report adds up to a substantial loss for Tennessee taxpayers. Instances of waste include:

• $15 million for a swimming pool in Kingsport.
• $3.95 million in excess fees collected by state professional regulatory boards.
• $1.6 million to fund state-owned golf courses.
• $1.5 million to help smokers kick the habit.
• $450,481 for two statues in downtown Nashville.

“Taxpayers are sending a clear message that they want accountable, transparent, and less intrusive government,” said Justin Owen, acting executive director of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research. “The political nepotism, outright theft, craven fiscal abuse, and general stupidity described in the Pork Report will only add fuel to taxpayers’ ire.”

The report does not merely expose wasteful spending by state and local governments, but also offers solutions to eliminate waste while promoting a more responsible and transparent government. It serves to act as an informative and valuable resource for legislators and taxpayers alike.

Examples of government waste, fraud, and abuse outlined in the 2010 Pork Report come from state and local government budgets, media reports, appropriations bills, state audits, and independent research conducted by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

An electronic version of the report can be found at: http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2010-Tennessee-Pork-Report.pdf.

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through the ideas of liberty. Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

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