Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) are related organizations. CAGW is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charity, while CCAGW is an IRS 501(c)(4), not a tax-deductible organization but one that is more free to do lobbying. CCAGW "is the lobbying arm of CAGW," states the CAGW website. "The CCAGW mission is to advocate the elimination of waste and inefficiency in government through nonpartisan public education programs and lobbying activities. Each year, CCAGW tabulates its Congressional Ratings, evaluating how each member of Congress measures up on key tax and spending votes."

Activities

Anti-climate bill rallies

CCAGW joined the American Petroleum Institute's "Energy Citizens" campaign, to hold rallies opposing the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill in about 20 states during Congress' summer 2009 break. Other "Energy Citizens" backers include the National Association of Manufacturers, American Farm Bureau, American Highway Users Alliance, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, FreedomWorks, American Conservative Union and Americans for Tax Reform.

Template fliers for the "Energy Citizens" rallies warned, "Climate change legislation being considered in Washington will cause huge economic pain and produce little environmental gain." The fliers also claimed that the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill, which passed the House of Representatives in June, would "cost 2 million American jobs, raise gasoline and diesel prices up to $4," hurt U.S. businesses and energy security. In contrast, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the bill would cost U.S. households "about a postage stamp a day," while the Energy Information Administration projects that annual "energy bill costs could rise between $26 per household to to $362 by 2020."

Internet Freedom Coalition

CCAGW is listed as member of the Internet Freedom Coalition.

912 Project

CCAGW is listed as sponsor of The 912 Project 912dc.org March on Washington, September 12, 2009.

Personnel

CCAGW's IRS form 990 report from 2007 notes that CCAGW "does not have any employees of its own," but reports as personnel expenses "the allocated portion of the salaries of employees of Citizens Against Government Waste for the amount of their time devoted to CCAGW activities. CCAGW reimburses CAGW for these costs." In 2007, CCAGW reported $128,538 in employee wages and salaries, and the following CAGW / CCAGW employees (including their total compensation):

• Thomas A. Schatz, CAGW President & director received $270,854 salary, plus $13,479 benefits, plus $1,317 expenses
• Robert J. Tedeschi, CAGW Senior VP and Treasurer received $132,510 salary, plus $3,486 benefits
• Ariane Sweeney, VP Membership & Development, received $134,136 salary, plus $4,015 benefits plus $923 expenses
• David Williams, VP Policy, received $97,923 salary, plus $3,310, plus $1,251 expenses
• Elizabeth Wright, VP Govt Affairs, received $92,310 salary, plus $5,898 benefits

The 2007 IRS report also notes that "Jeffrey P. Altman, the organization's secretary and director, is a partner in the law firm of McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP. Although Mr. Altman is not compensated for his services as secretary and director, he and his law firm perform legal services for the organization which is billed in the normal course of business."

Funding

CCAGW reported $413,434 in total revenue, $471,733 in total expenses, and $107,771 in net assets or fund balances at the beginning of 2007, leaving it with a net balance of $49,472 for the year.

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Citizens Against Government Waste