This Week In Waste – March 13, 2026
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.
Copper Wire Retirement at the Forefront of Next Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Meeting
The FCC continues to be a leader among federal agencies in the Trump administration’s work to reduce regulatory burdens. On March 26, 2026, the agency will be voting on a proceeding to speed network modernization and copper wire retirement. The upgrade will also increase network security by reducing the vandalism of copper wire. Read more here.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Issues Draft Guidance for Tobacco Harm Reduction Products
The FDA announced draft guidance for premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) for electronic delivery systems (ENDS) that modifies the agency’s consideration of flavored products. The March 9, 2026, proposal states that a flavored ENDS product application must show that the benefits outweigh the risks to meet the standard of “appropriate for the protection of public health (APPH).” While sweet flavors like candy and fruit are still unlikely to be approved for anyone, the evaluation of risk, which is based on the appeal of a flavor category to youth, could lead to flavors like mint, spices, coffee, or tea meeting the APPH standard and be approved for adults. Read more here.
Minnesota Scrutinizes the 340B Drug Discount Program
The Minnesota Department of Health released its 340B Covered Entity Report on February 27, 2026, which spotlighted revenues received by hospitals and other covered entities in the state. This report spotlights the need for reforms to the federal 340B program to increase transparency and provide a clear definition of a 340B patient. Read more here.
Trump Administration Moves to Prioritize Performance in Federal Layoffs
The Office of Personnel Management has proposed overhauling federal layoff rules to prioritize performance over tenure, as the Office of Management and Budget calls shrinking the federal workforce its “priority number one” to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. Read more here.
Washington,. D.C.: No BEAD Funds for You
A March 10, 2026, Telecompetitor article cited National Telecommunications and Information Administrator (NTIA) Administrator Arielle Roth’s March 9, 2026, Wall Street Journal op-ed which revealed that the agency denied a $4 million Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding request made by the District of Columbia. The request to connect 55 locations in the city equaled $70,000 per address, and the NTIA determined that they already had service available through other providers. The city has consistently overstated its needs for broadband funds and remains the only state or territory to not receive any money from the BEAD program. Read more here.
Eliminating Income Taxes in Missouri Takes a Step Forward
A taxpayer victory was won on March 12, 2026, when the Missouri House of Representatives passed HJR 174, a constitutional amendment to eliminate state income taxes, by a vote of 98-54. It must be approved by the Senate and then by voters before it can take effect. Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Director of Health and Science Policy Eric Maus testified before the House Commerce Committee on January 28, 2026, urging passage of the amendment, noting that the state has an opportunity to become a national leader in tax reform if it is adopted. Read more here.
