This Week In Waste – September 4, 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.

There Is Nothing Free About Socialism

As the lure of socialism grows across America, “free” programs sound enticing, but they all come at a high cost.  The Cato Institute found that the Democratic Socialists of America’s agenda would cost $200 trillion over the next 10 years, equal to $730,000 for each taxpayer.  Read more here.

This Mamdani-Backed Bill Would Kill Jobs, Boost Unions, and Make Deliveries more Expensive

The New York City Council is considering the Delivery Protection Act, which would restrict subcontracting and force operators of last-mile facilities to directly employ workers performing core services.  The bill would increase delivery costs and could eliminate 5,000 jobs at 40 delivery service companies.  Read more here.

Federal audit blasts Ohio manufacturing program

An August 19, 2026, Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General report found that Ohio Department of Development officials and manufacturing nonprofits mismanaged $20.9 million in taxpayer funds for the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership.  State officials underreported the program’s revenues and overstated its economic impact, while spending taxpayer dollars on “unallowable expenses,” like ghostwritten articles, a headquarters groundbreaking ceremony, lobbying expenses, and sponsorships including golf fees.  Read more here.