This Week in Waste – July 4, 2025
Welcome to This Week in Waste, a series by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) that highlights how taxpayer dollars are being wasted in the federal, state, and local levels of government and efforts to fight back against this spendthrift behavior.
California’s High-Speed Failure
The California High-Speed Rail project, originally approved in 2008 to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles, has seen its costs soar from $40 million to more than $111 billion with little progress, and there is no projected completion date. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has threatened to revoke $4 billion in funding due to violations including overstated ridership and a $7 billion shortfall, but the California High Speed Rail Authority inaccurately defends the project as being “on track.” Objections to the FRA’s decision from Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) led to their being named CAGW’s June Porkers of the Month. Read more here.
CAGW Files Comments to DOJ and FTC on Unfair Practices in Live Ticketing
CAGW filed comments with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) supporting the competitive free market that works to provide consumers with the best options available for purchasing tickets and explaining how the TICKET Act will improve that market. Read more here.
CAGW Files Comments to FCC on Handset Unlocking Waiver Request
CAGW filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting the petition from Verizon requesting a waiver of its current device unlocking requirements that were imposed as a condition of the company’s purchase of TracPhone. The unintended consequences of that agreement have harmed consumers and competition and allowed international criminal organizations to profit from fraud. The wireless industry has reasonable standards for device unlocking that should apply to all providers. Read more here.
Key Stakeholders Call for Critical Upgrades in USPS Operations to Improve Service
At the June 24, 2025, House Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing, members of Congress and witnesses agreed that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continues to suffer from poor service and severe financial losses. Members and witnesses emphasized the need for the new postmaster general to push for financial self-sufficiency and improved service. CAGW President Tom Schatz suggested reforms including increased public-private partnerships, a hiring freeze except for letter carriers, and halting USPS construction of new processing facilities. He also agreed with witnesses and members of Congress that USPS privatization is not a viable option. Read more here.
