Ensure Fair Returns

The federal government must ensure that taxpayers receive a fair return for any use of publicly-owned assets. For example, taxpayers own vast amounts of land rich in natural resources, such as coal, oil, and even exposure to solar radiation. The government should not give these public resources away. ...More

The failure to capture fair market value for public assets is a waste of federal resources. Congress and the administration should establish rents, royalties, and fees to ensure that taxpayers receive a fair return for any private development of public land. Competitive bidding, prompt development requirements, and robust verification procedures can also help establish fair returns to the public.

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All the latest content from TCS in Ensure Fair Returns
Letters & Testimony

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

July 23, 2013

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Today, TCS President Ryan Alexander testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on proposed state-federal revenue... Read More

Statements

TCS Statement on President’s Climate Speech

June 25, 2013

TCS Statement on President’s Climate Speech Below is a statement by Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the President's Speech on Climate Change.... Read More

Our Take

House Committee Passes Legislation That Could Siphon Billions in Royalty Revenue from Treasury

June 13, 2013

House Committee Passes Legislation That Could Siphon Billions in Royalty Revenue from Treasury The House Natural Resources Committee voted 23-18 Wednesday to send the “Offshore Energy and Jobs Act” (H.R. 2231) to the House Floor. The... Read More

Letters & Testimony

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before House Natural Resources Subcommittee

June 11, 2013

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before House Natural Resources Subcommittee Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense President Ryan Alexander testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral... Read More

Letters & Testimony

TCS Submits Comments on Proposed Oil Shale Management Rule

May 28, 2013

TCS Submits Comments on Proposed Oil Shale Management Rule Earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management proposed new regulations for royalty collection from oil shale leases on public lands.... Read More

Letters & Testimony

Support McCain-Flake Amendment No. 955

May 23, 2013

Support McCain-Flake Amendment No. 955     Support McCain-Flake Amendment No. 955 May 23, 2013 The... Read More

More in-depth material from TCS in Ensure Fair Returns
Fact Sheet

Oil Shale: Failing Taxpayers for Decades

December 19, 2012

Oil Shale: Failing Taxpayers for Decades Since the early 20th century, the federal government and private industry have attempted to commercialize oil shale but after years of... Read More

Reports & Data

Subsidizing Oil Shale: Tracing Federal Support for Oil Shale Development in the United States

November 29, 2012

Subsidizing Oil Shale: Tracing Federal Support for Oil Shale Development in the United States With fiscal cliff looming, TCS calls for end to government handouts for failed oil shale experiments.... Read More

101

Green Scissors Campaign 101

October 02, 2012

Green Scissors Campaign 101 A basic primer on the Green Scissors campaign and answers general questions about the history and goals of the coalition.... Read More

Policy Brief

Senate Ag Committee: More is Less

June 17, 2012

(Originally published June 8, 2012) With debate on the 2012 Farm Bill underway on the Senate Floor, proponents of this nearly trillion... Read More

TCS appearances in the media in Ensure Fair Returns

Government Fees the Key to a Budget Bargain?

September 11, 2013 | Politico

Lawmakers are deadlocked over tax increases and spending cuts, but there’s another way that could nudge them closer to addressing this... Read More

The Fair Act of 2013

July 24, 2013 | WJLA Capital Insider

Alexander interview July 23, 2013 The Fair Act of 2013, a bill sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), would establish a partnership... Read More

Landrieu disappointed at Obama administration

July 24, 2013 | The Advocate

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday it was tragic that the Obama administration opposed legislation that would generate... Read More

Lack of revenue bill support criticized

July 24, 2013 | Shreveport Times (Gannet)

WASHINGTON - Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska slammed the Obama administration Tuesday for opposing their... Read More

The FAIR Act Is Bad Fiscal Policy

July 24, 2013 | U.S.News & World Report

Today I am in the Senate testifying before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on proposed legislation to shift some of the federal... Read More

Weekly Wastebasket

Our weekly reality-check for federal spending. View All

June 21, 2013

Farm Bill Buys the Farm

Volume XVIII No. 25: A funny thing happened on the way to pass the House Farm Bill. It failed. 195-234.... Read More