Foundation for Government Accountability

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a right-wing advocacy group founded in 2011 and based in Naples, Florida. It is run by former Maine legislator Tarren Bragdon. It is a member of the State Policy Network (SPN), a web of state pressure groups that denote themselves as "think tanks" and drive a right-wing agenda in statehouses nationwide.

The FGA describes its own agenda as developing free market public policies that “achieve limited, constitutional government and a robust economy that will be an engine for job creation across [Florida].” The FGA “believes personal liberty and private enterprise are key to our economic future,” the website states.

Bragdon launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org as part of the Foundation for Government Accountability.

News and Controversies

Kicking People Off Medicaid During COVID-19

The FGA has opposed Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs since it's founding in 2011, and has consistently fought on the state level to stop expansion. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FGA maintains it's position that Medicaid drains state money, harms the truly needy, and has generally proven ineffective.

At the 2020 ALEC Annual conference, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Jonathan Bechtle spoke to state politicians and other meeting attendees about how to fight medicaid expansion on the state level. "I want to talk for just a moment about a new battlefield, one where shadowy organizations on the left are dumping millions of dollars into the fight. They're taking really complicated, expensive, failing ideas like medicaid expansion to the ballot." Bechtle then explains the role FGA can take to help state politicians fight medicaid expansion: "so let me talk for a moment about how does FGA relate to this picture. So we're a 501c3, we have a c4 partner... we've done battle in the state houses since our founding in 2011. And we've gotten a chance to partner with many of you to get a lot of historic wins over the past 5 years, more than 300 in fact. And together we've prevented medicaid expansion in 13 states, including pretty hard fought wins in Kansas and Wyoming earlier this year... many of you know that two weeks ago, Oklahoman passed medicaid expansion, but it passed by only 1%, or about 6,000 votes. With better tactics and a great coalition that we're working with in Missouri, we think there's a really good chance to have a different outcome four weeks from now when expansion goes to the ballot in that state. And if your state is next, a ballot initiative comes to your state with one of these failed big ideas, we want to help you fight it".

Unemployment Only for the "Truly Needy" During COVID-19

Throughout COVID-19, the FGA continues its fight against federal social programs, claiming to help the "truly needy". Since the implementation of the CARES act in March of 2020, the FGA states that there has been a surge in fraudulent cases for unemployment . Within their definition of fraud, the FGA cites refusing to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic as a source of fraud: "states can and should make it easier for employers to report individuals who refuse suitable work. State policymakers should also make it clear this refusal of work constitutes fraud and will not be tolerated in their state". The FGA claims that the CARES act has "fundamentally altered the function of the unemployment insurance system in a perverse manner" by offering people suffering from unemployment $600 a week. According to the FGA, this "severe disincentive to work has sent shockwaves throughout the economy". As a solution, the FGA believes Americans must return to work in order to boost the economy and save businesses from closing.

FGA's Efforts to Kick People Off Food Stamps

The FGA has two main strategies to push people off food stamps: creating Food Stamp work requirements and ending Broad Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE). The FGA argues that BBCE is a "broad misapplication of federal law... [which] even allowed millionaires and lottery winners to qualify for the program" and thus should be eliminated. For work requirements, the FGA wants to kick "able bodied adults" off food stamps stating that "without any real work requirement, these adults will remain trapped in dependency".

State and Federal Influence

Although the FGA first started lobbying against food stamps in individual states, they have had increasing influence on the federal level. According to Vox the FGA "lobbied Congress through the Opportunity Solutions Project to include work requirements for SNAP in the 2018 farm bill; the requirements made it into the US House of Representatives version but didn’t pass the Senate. The Trump administration’s 2020 budget, introduced in March, embraces the same concept." In July of 2019 "the Trump administration announced it was pursuing another FGA-backed proposal, closing what an FGA policy report calls an administrative “loophole” that allows states to enroll people in SNAP if they make use of another public assistance program."

"Nonpartisan Think Tank" or Right-Wing Lobbying Machine?

A 2013 report by Progress Florida and the Center for Media and Democracy notes:

"FGA frequently brags about its influence in state politics and clearly has well-established ties with state legislators. In 2012, for example, FGA bragged that it had 'engaged early on' House and Senate sponsors of HB 1003, a proposal to create a new exemption from tangible personal property (TPP) taxes for businesses with less than $50,000 in business equipment, to successfully influence the legislation. According to FGA’s own post on its website, the organization had 'regular discussions and meetings' with the sponsors of the bill and the Governor’s office. However, FGA did not have a registered lobbyist in Florida in 2012. While a 501(c)(3) non-profit can engage in a limited amount of lobbying, it appears that FGA's outreach to Florida legislators about changing Florida's laws is not so limited. However, its federal tax filings for 2012 have not yet been made publicly available."

In April 2013, FGA registered a lobbyist at the Florida statehouse, its government relations director Chris Hudson. While FGA's website does not disclose this, Hudson is also Florida Public Affairs Director for Strategic Advocacy, a public affairs consulting firm based in Maine and registered as a foreign corporation in Florida. Hudson registered as a lobbyist to represent FGA April 16, 2013, but at around the same time in March and April 2013 he also registered to lobby on behalf of Apalachee Center, Inc., Capitol Insight, LifeStream Behavioral Center, MediSKY LLC, and Mental Health Care, Inc., and in November 2013 he also registered to lobby on behalf of Florida Onsite Wastewater Association.

LifeStream, Apalachee, and Mental Health Care, Inc. are all Medicaid providers in Florida. According to Progress Florida's 2013 report, "Meanwhile, FGA has actively pushed for the expansion of a Florida Medicaid privatization pilot program that has boosted the profits of providers of Medicaid services at the expense of expanded enrollment and patient care, according to critics. FGA’s activity on behalf of the privatization scheme has included presenting the plan to ALEC, [which] endorsed the program’s expansion. Hudson’s representation of firms that rely on government spending comes despite FGA’s and Bragdon’s advocacy for reductions in government spending."

Florida Welfare Drug Testing Controversy

A study funded and written by the organization contributed to Florida Governor Rick Scott's defense of his controversial welfare drug-testing law, requiring benefit recipients to take a drug test as a qualification for benefits. The law came under fire from the ACLU and other groups, and a Bush-appointed federal judge threw out the Foundation's study as evidence, claiming it was "not competent expert opinion" and that "even a cursory review of certain assumptions in the pamphlet undermines its conclusions."

FGA’s FloridaOpenGov.org

In January 2012 FGA Chief Executive Officer, Tarren Bragdon, created and launched the website FloridaOpenGov.org. The website is an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees and is almost an exact replica of a project by Bragdon at his last place of employment, the Maine Heritage Policy Center.

The website is a compilation of “about 35 million public records detailing nearly $1.4 trillion in spending and payroll by state, county, municipality and school,” according to the FGA.

According to a FGA Press Release, data include:

• County government payroll (FY 1997-2011)
• Local K-12 public education payroll (FY 1997-2011)
• State government payroll (1995-2010)
• Local government spending (FY 1993-2010)
• State vendor payments (FY 2005-2011)

Florida State Representatives Matt Hudson (R-Naples), Rachel Burgin (R-Tampa Bay), Joseph Abruzzo (D-Wellington), and City of Longwood Mayor Joe Durso endorsed the website.

Ties to the Bradley Foundation

Through 2018, the Foundation for Government Accountability received $1,250,000 from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

Bradley detailed the most recent grants in internal documents examined by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD). Below is a description of the grant prepared by CMD. The quoted text was written by Bradley staff.

2016: $350,000 to support a project on “reducing the welfare state and restoring the working class.” “FGA has worked to advance reforms that move people off of welfare as well. In this case working with the Bradley supported American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Secretaries’ Innovation Group, FGA has conducted research on and public education about the benefits of work requirements and fraud audits.” FGA wants to expand target states from original 22 to include another 19 more.

2015: $350,000 to support public education about Medicaid and a project on reducing the welfare state and restoring the working class. “During the past couple of years, FGA’s principal project has been to educate the policymakers and the public in specifically targeted states about the benefits of rejecting Medicaid expansion under Obamacare… Along with the Bradley supported Galen Institute, (CEO Tarren) Bragdon and FGA have contributed constructively to the health care debate. Its topic specific, in depth focus on state level reform has been of a piece with much of Bradley’s other recent strategic grantmaking—including, among others, to the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Center for Energy Innovation and Independence’s group of state attorneys general, the Goldwater Institute’s state litigation alliance, the Interstate Policy Alliance, the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research’s Center for state and Local Leadership, the Sagamore Institute, Think Freely Media, the State Human Service Secretaries’ Innovation Group and the State Policy Network.”

Bradley Files

In 2017, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), publishers of SourceWatch, launched a series of articles on the Milwaukee-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, exposing the inner-workings of one of America's largest right-wing foundations. 56,000 previously undisclosed documents laid bare the Bradley Foundation's highly politicized agenda. CMD detailed Bradley's efforts to map and measure right wing infrastructure nationwide, including by dismantling and defunding unions to impact state elections; bankrolling discredited spin doctor Richard Berman and his many front groups; and more. Find the series here at ExposedbyCMD.org.

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council

The FGA has close ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). On July 23rd 2020, ALEC posted a video to YouTube from their annual conference of Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Jonathan Bechtle speaking on behalf of FGA on how to fight medicaid expansion on the state level. Bechtle tells the group of meeting attendees that "we had the privilege a couple days ago, our FGA team, to teach a workshop here at the conference about a ten point plan that we have to help you address state budget issues this year. These are proven ideas from around the states that have come out of past wins... it's an ALEC conference website we put together just for this".

On July 14th 2020, the FGA added a list of ALEC Resources with links to their own policy proposals.. These policy proposals are also included in a paper titled 10 Ways to Protect State Budgets, Reduce Dependency, and Promote Work, downloadable as "ALEC-2020-Handout-1".

FGA is also on ALEC's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force. At the 2012 States and Nation Policy Summit, FGA staff member, Joyce Errecart, presented "Tangible Personal Property Business Taxes."

The former director of ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force, Christie Herrera, went on to become FGA's vice president of policy..

In 2011, CEO Tarren Bragdon presented to ALEC's Health and Human Safety Task Force at the 2011 States and Nation Policy Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bragdon touted the state's controversial Medicaid reform plans and Florida’s welfare drug testing law during the event.

Please see SPN Ties to ALEC for more.

About ALEC

ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our ExposedbyCMD.org site.

Ties to the Franklin News Foundation

The Foundation for Government Accountability has hosted writers from the ALEC-connected Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, which screens potential reporters on their “free market” views as part of the job application process. The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states. Despite their non-partisan description, many of the websites funded by the Franklin Center have received criticism for their conservative bias. On its website, the Franklin Center claims it "provides 10 percent of all daily reporting from state capitals nationwide."

Franklin Center Funding

Franklin Center Director of Communications Michael Moroney told the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) in 2013 that the source of the Franklin Center's funding "is 100 percent anonymous." But 95 percent of its 2011 funding came from DonorsTrust, a spin-off of the Philanthropy Roundtable that functions as a large "donor-advised fund," cloaking the identity of donors to right-wing causes across the country (CPI did a review of Franklin's Internal Revenue Service records). Mother Jones called DonorsTrust "the dark-money ATM of the conservative movement" in a February 2013 article. Franklin received DonorTrust's second-largest donation in 2011.

The Franklin Center also receives funding from the Wisconsin-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, a conservative grant-making organization.

The Franklin Center was launched by the Chicago-based Sam Adams Alliance (SAM), a 501(c)(3) devoted to pushing free-market ideals. SAM gets funding from the State Policy Network, which is partially funded by The Claude R. Lambe Foundation. Charles Koch, one of the billionaire brothers who co-own Koch Industries, sits on the board of this foundation. SAM also receives funding from the Rodney Fund.

Connections to other Right-wing Think Tanks and Groups

Maine Heritage Policy Center

The Foundation's CEO and Director, Tarren Bragdon, is the former head of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a Koch-funded and affiliated right-wing think tank described as very influential within the Maine GOP establishment.

The Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal of Maine, in a profile of Bragdon, noted that his Maine group faced "allegations that its increased involvement in this year's gubernatorial election pushes, if not violates, the political lobbying limits allowed by its tax-exempt status."

Cato Institute

Robert Levy of the Cato Institute is on FGA's board. He has long been active with the Cato Institute, which was founded in 1977 by Charles Koch.

State Policy Network

The Foundation is a state affiliate of the State Policy Network, a web of state pressure groups that denote themselves as "think tanks" and drive a right-wing agenda in statehouses nationwide. Mother Jones writes of the State Policy Network: "Its mission is simple: to back a constellation of state-level think tanks loosely modeled after Heritage that promote free-market principles and rail against unions, regulation, and tax increases. By blasting out policy recommendations and shaping lawmakers’ positions through briefings and private meetings, these think tanks cultivate cozy relationships with GOP politicians. And there’s a long tradition of revolving door relationships between SPN staffers and state governments. While they bill themselves as independent think tanks, SPN’s members frequently gather to swap ideas."

Funding

The FGA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and does not disclose the source of its funding. Bragdon has previously said that ”initial donors who were interested in having [him] here” in Florida were responsible for his move to the state. However, through researching the 990 filings of other organizations, the non-profit has received a lot of its funding from national organizations, including:

• Adolph Coors Foundation: $100,000 (2014, 2016)
• Atlas Network: $84,394 (2011-2015)
• The Bruce and Barbara Wiegand Family Foundation: $2,500 (2018)
• Bartley J. Madden Foundation: $20,000 (2018)
• Campbell Family Foundation: $110,750 (2012, 2014-2016)
• Capital Leaders: $30,000 (2016)
• Chase Foundation of Virginia: $15,000 (2017-2018)
• El Roble Azul Foundation: $50,000 (2018)
• Eric Javits Family Foundation: $1,100 (2014-2018)
• Donors Capital Fund: $3,814,100 (2012-2016)
• DonorsTrust: $5,540,051 (2014-2018)
• Ed Uihlein Family Foundation: $8,050,000 (2014-2018)
• Edward A. & Catherine L. Lozick Foundation: $2,500 (2014)
• Henderson Foundation: $2,000 (2017)
• John E and Sue M Jackson Charitable Trust: $10,425 (2017-2018)
• John William Pope Foundation: $105,000 (2014-2018)
• Koch Family Foundations: $3,300 (2017)
• Kurt Feuerman Foundation: $50,000 (2018)
• Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation: $1,250,000 (2013-2018)
• Maine Community Foundation: $20,000 (2015)
• Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc: $15,000 (2018)
• National Philanthropic Trust: $5,000 (2015)
• National Christian Charitable Foundation Inc.: $32,000 (2015-2017)
• Roe Foundation: $115,000 (2013-2016, 2018)
• Sarah Scaife Foundation: $1,100,000 (2016-2018)
• Schwab Charitable Fund: $25,000 (2014-2016)
• Searle Freedom Trust: $250,000 (2013-2018)
• State Policy Network: $123,650 (2012-2013, 2017)
• Stuart E and Estelle Price Foundation: $1,000 (2016)
• Tenzer Family Foundation: $13,000 (2014-2018)
• Wodecroft Foundation: $10,000 (2014-2015)

Core Finances

2018:

• Total Revenue: $9,424,541
• Total Expenses: $7,890,155
• Net Assets: $3,590,208

2017:

• Total Revenue: $6,675,803
• Total Expenses: $5,907,581
• Net Assets: $2,101,998

Grants Distributed

• DonorsTrust: $160,000
• Safe Families for Children: $20,000
• Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research: $10,000

2016:

• Total Revenue: $4,521,285
• Total Expenses: $4,033,458
• Net Assets: $1,333,776

2015:

• Total Revenue: $3,919,227
• Total Expenses: $3,736,776
• Net Assets: $845,949

2014:

• Total Revenue: $4,052,421
• Total Expenses: $3,924,746
• Net Assets: $663,498

2013:

• Total Revenue: $1,970,689
• Total Expenses: $1,418,627
• Net Assets: $535,823

2012:

• Total Revenue: $731,950
• Total Expenses: $736,756
• Net Assets: $55,649

Grants Distributed

• Kansas Policy Institute: $3,500
• Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: $3,500
• Idaho Freedom Foundation: $3,500
• Legacy Foundation: $50,000

2011:

• Total Revenue: $212,194
• Total Expenses: $151,739
• Net Assets: $60,455

Personnel

Staff

As of 2019:

Leadership

• Tarren Bragdon, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Jonathan Bechtle, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel (former CEO of the Freedom Foundation in Washington State)
• Jonathan Ingram, Vice President of Policy Research, former Vice President of Research
• Katie Rodgers, Vice President of Outreach and Government Affairs
• Nick Stehle, Vice President of Communications
• Kelly Fischer, Executive Operations Manager

Communications

• Stefani E. Buhajla, Communications Director
• Victoria Eardley, Marketing Director
• Corina Gilbert, Creative Director
• Mikayla Hall, Managing Editor
• Sarah Hubal, Internal Systems Director
• James Miller, Digital Marketing Director
• Jessica Rizzuto, Digital Marketing Manager

Development

• Judy Cook, Development Director, former Donor Relations Manager
• Olivia Klosterman, Development Grants Manager
• Dan Remmenga, Donor Relations Manager, former External Relations Director

Government Affairs and Outreach

• Nicholas Adolphsen, Government Affairs Director
• Kate Caddock, Federal Affairs Manager
• Roy Lenardson, Director of Government Affairs
• Gregg Pfister, Government Affairs Director, former Legislative Relations Director
• Robin Walker, Senior Director of Federal Affairs, former Director of Federal Affairs

Policy and Research

• Sam Adolphsen, Policy Director, formerly Vice President of Executive Affairs
• Nicholas Horton, Research Director
• Joel Allumbaugh, Visiting Fellow
• Josh Archambault, Senior Fellow
• Jonathan Bain, Research Fellow
• Brian Blase, Visiting Fellow
• Scott Centorino, Senior Fellow
• Hayden Dublois, Research Analyst
• Haley Holik, Senior Fellow
• Joe Horvath, Senior Fellow
• Tyler Lamensky, Research Project Manager
• Chase Martin, Legal Affairs Director

Former Staff

• Jared Meyer, Senior Research Fellow
• Christie Herrera, Vice President of State Affairs and Policy Fellow
• Mary Katherine Stout, Senior Fellow
• Kim Borchers, Director of Executive Leadership Development
• Jonathan Ingram,
• Ashley Ciandella, Events and Scheduling Director,
• Chad Goote, Vice President of Advancement
• Kelly Fischer, Operations Manager
• John Marzolph, Digital Outreach Director
• Kim Borchers, Director of Executive Leadership Development
• Andrew Brown, Visiting Fellow
• Vail Horton, Strategic Development Officer
• Brad Brackins, Research Fellow
• Whitney Neal, Director of Marketing
• Kristina Ribali, Senior Coalitions Director
• Charles Siler, Media Relations Director
• Erik Makrush, Director of Operations
• Greg George, Senior Research Fellow
• Shannon Alford, Government Affairs Director
• Tom Newell, Government Affairs Director
• Kristina Rasmussen, Senior Fellow, former Vice President of Federal Affairs
• Megan Schmidt, State Affairs Coordinator
• Whitney Munro, Vice President of Communications
• Kelsey Phillie, Communications Director
• James Scimecca, Communications Manager
• Donlyn Turnbull, Digital Content Director
• Zachary Crockett, Operations Coordinator
• Joyce Errecart, Senior Fellow for Tax Policy
• Chris Cinquemani, Chief Communications Officer
• Joyce Errecart, Senior Fellow for Tax Policy
• Joseph Burk, PhD, Fellow for Entrepreneurship
• Darcie Johnston, Development
• Megan Teague, Research Fellow
• Chris Hudson, Government Relations (although not disclosed on FGA's website, Hudson is also Florida Public Affairs Director for Strategic Advocacy, a public affairs consulting firm based out of Maine and registered as a foreign corporation in Florida -- Hudson registered as a lobbyist to represent FGA April 16, 2013, as well as LifeStream Behavioral Center, Mental Health Care, Inc., and Apalachee Center, Inc. -- all of which are Medicaid providers in Florida -- in March and April of 2013.)

Board of Directors

As of Septemeber 2019:

• Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO
• Andrea Forrest Brock (Zoneup, Inc.; married to Republican former Vermont State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Randy Brock)
• Bob Harden
• Robert Levy (Chairman of the Board, Cato Institute)
• Betty Neighbors
• Stephen Pryor
• Bridgett Wagner

Former Directors

• William A. Dunn (DUNN Capital Management)

Contact Information

Employer Identification Number (EIN): 45-2637507

Foundation for Government Accountability
Suite 201-279
15275 Collier Blvd
Naples, FL 34119

Website: https://thefga.org
Phone: 239.244.8808
Fax: 239.217.4397
Email: info@thefga.org
Twitter:@thefga
Facebook: @theFGA

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014