WASTE WATCH -- Audit the IRS! That was the rally call Wednesday afternoon from outside the U.S. Capitol.
Tea Party Patriots organized the rally of groups targeted by the IRS. You'll recall the IRS scandal unfolded after revelations agency investigators targeted the Tea Party and other conservative groups. Supporters say it's time the government takes action to protect all Americans. And not just from targeting, also from living it up on your tax dollars.
It seems there's a new scandal involving the IRS every week. The latest controversy, just made public Wednesday, revealed plans to shell out $70 million of your tax dollars to its employees. The agency is calling it an annual bonus.
A few months back, the IRS caught flack over a $60,000 Star Trek spoof that the agency called a training video.
The IRS Inspector General called the video and the millions spent on conferences over the past several years a waste of tax money.
"It doesn't sound right to me," said Michael Whitesall of Greenville.
Lawmakers haven't been too happy either. Especially after it was discovered that swag bags, containing plastic squirting fish and other items, were given to employees at one of those lavish conferences. That price tag was $64,000. However that's peanuts compared to the $70 million IRS employees are slated to get in union bonuses.
"Just a little bit is fine, but this is a lot of money," said Georgia Pruden of Troy.
"I'd like to know why. Do they really deserve it?" questioned Whitesall.
Many top dogs on Capitol Hill say no, and believe the bonuses should be canceled under the White House directive to stop all government discretionary spending due to sequestration.
The IRS says that under the union's collective bargaining agreement it's legally obligated to pay the bonuses.
"I'm more than surprised, I'm angry," said Tom Auwarter of Dayton.
"In these times, it seems the IRS should be frugal like us. I don't understand why they need to be making those kind of bonuses. If they want that they can go into private business," Whitesall said.
Each union employee is eligible for up to $3,500. The IRS says it's still negotiating with the union over the matter.
If you suspect local or state government is wasting your money, we'd like to investigate. Call our Waste Watch tip line 937-262-1426. Or email us at wastewatch@fox45now.com.
Tea Party Patriots organized the rally of groups targeted by the IRS. You'll recall the IRS scandal unfolded after revelations agency investigators targeted the Tea Party and other conservative groups. Supporters say it's time the government takes action to protect all Americans. And not just from targeting, also from living it up on your tax dollars.
It seems there's a new scandal involving the IRS every week. The latest controversy, just made public Wednesday, revealed plans to shell out $70 million of your tax dollars to its employees. The agency is calling it an annual bonus.
A few months back, the IRS caught flack over a $60,000 Star Trek spoof that the agency called a training video.
The IRS Inspector General called the video and the millions spent on conferences over the past several years a waste of tax money.
"It doesn't sound right to me," said Michael Whitesall of Greenville.
Lawmakers haven't been too happy either. Especially after it was discovered that swag bags, containing plastic squirting fish and other items, were given to employees at one of those lavish conferences. That price tag was $64,000. However that's peanuts compared to the $70 million IRS employees are slated to get in union bonuses.
"Just a little bit is fine, but this is a lot of money," said Georgia Pruden of Troy.
"I'd like to know why. Do they really deserve it?" questioned Whitesall.
Many top dogs on Capitol Hill say no, and believe the bonuses should be canceled under the White House directive to stop all government discretionary spending due to sequestration.
The IRS says that under the union's collective bargaining agreement it's legally obligated to pay the bonuses.
"I'm more than surprised, I'm angry," said Tom Auwarter of Dayton.
"In these times, it seems the IRS should be frugal like us. I don't understand why they need to be making those kind of bonuses. If they want that they can go into private business," Whitesall said.
Each union employee is eligible for up to $3,500. The IRS says it's still negotiating with the union over the matter.
If you suspect local or state government is wasting your money, we'd like to investigate. Call our Waste Watch tip line 937-262-1426. Or email us at wastewatch@fox45now.com.