Letter to F.J. Pollak, CEO of TracFone - Attack Ad on Welfare Cell Phones
Letter
U.S. Senator David Vitter today thanked TracFone CEO, F.J. Pollak, who ran an advertisement in the Times-Picayune this weekend attacking Vitter for his efforts to eliminate a free government cell phone program.
"Thank you for the large and expensive newspaper ads which your company ran against me yesterday and last Thursday in the Times-Picayune, attacking my efforts to end the free government cell phone program," Vitter said. "I say "thank you" because I am confident the ads will help call attention to this out-of-control, fraud-ridden entitlement program and, ultimately, help end it."
On May 7, 2013 Vitter introduced legislation to end the welfare subsidy for mobile phone service in the Lifeline Program. Vitter also introduced this legislation as an amendment to the Senate budget resolution in March. The amendment failed 46-to-53. Vitter also intends to introduce this legislation as an amendment to the Farm Bill this week.
The Lifeline Program was created in 1984 to expand landline services for low-income households through the Universal Service Fund (USF). The program supporting mobile phones was expanded in 2008 to include wireless service providers. The program has grown from $143 million in 2008 to nearly $2 billion in 2012.
A copy of Vitter's letter is below.
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
May 20, 2013
Mr. F.J. Pollak
CEO, TracFone
9700 NW 112th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
Dear Mr. Pollak:
Thank you for the large and expensive newspaper ads which your company ran against me yesterday and last Thursday in the Times-Picayune, attacking my efforts to end the free government cell phone program.
I say "thank you" because I am confident the ads will help call attention to this out-of-control, fraud-ridden entitlement program and, ultimately, help end it.
I do have two specific comments and two specific questions.
The comments:
1) As you undoubtedly know, this free government cell phone program, started in 2008 (three years after Hurricane Katrina), had nothing to do with helping cope with Katrina. By suggesting otherwise, your ads are misleading and offensive, particularly to victims of Katrina.
2) The ads are also misleading in suggesting the program has nothing to do with welfare, federal spending programs, or taxpayers. As you know, welfare eligibility criteria are used, and it is funded by every taxpayer who pays for his or her own land line and/or cell phone (pretty much every taxpayer).
The questions, to which I request specific answers:
1) How much revenue has your company enjoyed from this government program?
2) As you know, a 2011 FCC report found that the top five companies benefiting from the program, including yours, could not verify the eligibility of 41% of the participants you signed up. Will you return all money related to any such cases involving your company?
Your specific answers to these two questions, or your refusal to give them, will say a lot about you and this program.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
U.S. Senator
Source