How Your Tax Dollars Are Used | War Resister’s League

The new War Resisters League’s annual “pie chart” flyer, Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes, analyzes the Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Budget (FY 2026 is 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2026).  This FY2026 issue is being published in March 2025.

This year’s chart compares the Projected FY2026 Biden Budget based on OMB figures (March 2024) and Possible FY2026 Trump Budget based on G.O.P. stated goals (as of March 2025)

Projected FY 2026 Biden Budget
Projected FY 2026 Biden Budget based on OMB figures (March 2024)

These figures are from the FY2026 column in last year’s Analytical Perspectives book of the Budget
of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2025. They are Federal funds, so do not include Trust funds
— such as Social Security — which are raised and spent separately from income taxes.

“Current military” includes Dept. of Defense ($880 billion) and the military portion ($314 billion) from other departments and agencies, including Homeland Security, Energy (nuclear weapons), State, NSA, CIA. “Past military” represents veterans’ benefits ($391 billion) plus 80% of the interest on the debt ($1,023 billion).*

Income taxes, you pay (or don’t pay) by April 15, 2025, go to the Federal funds portion of the budget. Potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds are not reflected on this flyer

Possible FY2026 Trump Budget based on G.O.P. stated goals (as of March 2025)
Possible FY2026 Trump Budget based on G.O.P. stated goals (as of March 2025)

Because Trump has yet to release a budget proposal, presented here is a rough estimate of what the FY2026 budget (Oct. 1 – Sep. 30, 2026) might look like. The overall budget, projected to be smaller than the Biden proposal, is based on stated goals to eliminate the Dept. of Education, in addition to major cuts in Medicaid, housing assistance, food aid, energy credits, EPA, USAID, Labor, NSF, NASA, Interior, FEMA, IRS, as well as other departments and agencies, offsetting increases in military expenditures.

These cuts will not offset major tax cuts for the rich and corporations, so the debt is expected to increase.

SOURCES: Budget reports from mainstream news sources, plus indepth analysis from nationalpriorities.org, taxpayer.net, responsiblestatecraft.org, budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu, cbpp.org, thehill.com, federalnewsnetwork.com, kff.org, among others

*Analysts differ on how much of the debt stems from the military; other groups estimate 50% to 60%. We use 80% because we believe if there had been no military spending, most of the national debt would have been eliminated.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Get involved in WRL’s organizing and education work: nonviolent direct action training, counter-military recruitment, internationalist work, and more. Visit WRL’s membership handbook at warresisters.org/joinwrl. Find resources to challenge militarism, curb police and border patrol power, strengthen nonviolent action and lift up community resilience!

Write elected officials, letters-to-the-editor, and posts online. Send and share copies of this flyer. Explain your budget priorities for a better world.

Divest from war!!  Refuse to pay all or part of your federal income tax. Though illegal, thousands of people openly participate in this form of protest. Whatever you choose to refuse—$1, $10, 45% or 100%—send a letter to elected officials and tell them why. Contact us for information or referral to a counselor near you. Contribute resisted tax money to groups that work for the common good.

For more about refusing to pay for war, brochures, and other resources, contact the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, (800) 269-7464 or see nwtrcc.org.

Order a DVD of NWTRCC’s film, Death and Taxes from WRL’s online store.

JUST PUBLISHED! Read and use War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support from the Military – 6th Edition – handbook with history, methods and resources

April 5 Is the National Day of Resistance

by Henry Lowendorf, Greater New Haven Peace Council

Friends,

On Saturday, April 5, I’m attending Hands Off’s events, “Hands Off! Protect our Democracy! Stand Up & Fight Back!” – sign up at handsoff2025.com to join me!

The Big One is in Hartford, 3 p.m. at the CT State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave.

Around the country on April 5, Hands Off events can be the biggest showing ever that we will not play doormat to the destruction of our country by Trump/Vance/Musk and their lackeys in Congress to further enrich the billionaires.

We will RESIST all attacks on any of us, on our human rights.
Hope to see you there,

Henry

List of Hands Off Events in Connecticut:

Danbury 3-4:30 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/766928/

Guilford 11-12 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/767787/

Hartford State Capitol 3-6 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/764548/

Newtown 1-3 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/766929/

New Haven Green 12-1:30 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/767051/

New London 11-1 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/766124/

New Milford 11-12:30 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/765380/

Stamford 12-1:30 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/764787/

Westport 11-12:30 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/764636/

Gov. Lamont: No More Methane Gas! Rally 3/31

by Sena Wazer, Sierra Club, CT Chapter

In January, Gov. Ned Lamont stated his support for “natural” methane gas during his State of the State address. Then, last month, he signed off on allowing the Capitol Area System heating and cooling system to be updated with fossil fuels — continuing to make Hartford a sacrifice zone and fueling the climate crisis.

We’re standing up and saying enough: enough with polluted air, continued asthma, and dirty energy. Connecticut deserves better. Instead, we must pursue clean energy that helps our communities to thrive.

We’re calling on Governor Lamont to:

Reverse his decision on the Capitol Area System and move forward with network geothermal.

Deny the permits for the Brookfield Compressor Stations. Now is not the time for fossil fuels. Now is the time to invest in clean and renewable energy. Join us in Hartford on Monday, March 31 at 1 p.m. as we hold a press conference at the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave., before marching to the Capitol Area System at 490 Capitol Ave., where we will do a die-in to represent the harm that this fossil fuel infrastructure inflicts on the community.

For more information, please email [email protected].

Emergency Protest and March Held in Hartford

As we prepared this issue for print, there was an emergency march in Hartford on March 21 to protect Gaza, protect immigrants, and protect free speech. Demands also included ending USA aid to Israel and freeing Mahmoud Khalil (a US permanent resident taken by ICE) and other immigrants and activists who have been detained because they’re activists for Palestinian rights. People rallied outside the ICE/federal building at 450 Main St. and then marched to the Capitol.

Earlier in the week, Israel violated the 2-month-old ceasefire and killed over 500 people in Gaza. Over 200 of the dead were children. Israel shortly thereafter sent in ground troops to Gaza.

For video of this rally and others, please see thestrugglevideo.org.

Postal Workers Protest Proposed DOGE Cuts

by Zachary Groz, March 20, New Haven Independent

Carrying red, white, and blue signs reading “U.S. MAIL NOT FOR SALE” and chanting “Whose Post Office? The People’s Post Office,” roughly 15 U.S. postal workers marched down Elm Street to protest a recently announced Trump- and Musk-led effort to slash the service’s workforce and budget.

That rally took place Thursday afternoon outside the USPS Yale Station office at the corner of Elm and High streets.

The local postal workers and their allies showed up to speak out against a plan detailed in a letter that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump I appointee who has headed the independent agency since summer 2020, wrote to Congress on March 13.

The letter announced that USPS has entered into an agreement with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to work on “identifying and achieving further efficiencies.”

Under the agreement, per DeJoy’s letter, USPS will be cutting 10,000 staff this month through early retirement buy-outs, skirting a no-layoff clause in the postal workers’ contract, and DOGE will be “reviewing” the agency’s retirement funds, worker’s comp program, unfunded mandates from Congress, and the parallel regulatory commission that sets the post office’s rates.

On Thursday, postal workers in more than 150 cities around the country took to the streets in a day of action to protest what they’re calling a full-on assault by the Trump administration to privatize and “destroy the Postal Service” under the auspices of cost-savings.

In New Haven, the protesters marched and chanted on Elm Street, as cars whizzed by honking their horns to encourage the rally on.

They circulated fliers with quick facts on the Post Office, which, the fliers read, is “enshrined in the U.S. Constitution” and “delivers to every address in the country” in contrast to for-profit delivery companies, who “will only go where they can make a profit.”

“Their ultimate goal is not necessarily to make things efficient but to turn it into a moneymaker,” said Marc Cesare, the president of Local 237 of the American Postal Workers Union. “Turning it into a moneymaker could mean closing down little post offices.”

Rich Neagle, the New Haven steward of the union, added that fighting to keep the Post Office intact as a “public service” uninterested in maximizing profit margins shouldn’t be “a partisan issue.” With major staffing and budget cuts, he said, will come longer delays, more lost mail, and higher costs…

[To read this article in its entirety, please go to https://bit.ly/4lds15d]

Thoughts on Medical Assisted Suicide Is Available for Film Showings

by Paula Panzarella, Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide

Progressives Against Medical Assisted Suicide (PAMAS) had the premiere showing of its film Thoughts on Medical Assisted Suicide on March 25 at the Hamden Miller Memorial Library. Many more public viewings in Connecticut will be scheduled in the months ahead.

This film raises many difficult questions and societal concerns, such as: how the cost of medical care impacts one’s choice, racial discrimination, fear of disability, denial of coverage by medical insurance companies, and prejudice against the elderly. The value of the audience discussion of these issues cannot be overestimated.

The film was produced by Progressives Against Medical Suicide and Karyl Evans Productions LLC, with partial funding from the Haymarket People’s Fund, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Patients Rights Action Fund.

If any PAR readers have suggestions for future venues of film showings, or would like to help organize a showing, please contact [email protected]. Possible locations include libraries, classes, community centers or organizations.

For more information, please visit our website at https://pamasprogressives.org.

May Day/International Workers’ Day Events in New Haven

The annual May Day rally on the New Haven Green and immigrants’ rights march through downtown New Haven will take place on Thursday, May 1. Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA) and other local organizations will be setting up displays, info tables, food, and children’s activities on the Green. There will also be entertainment and music to celebrate International Workers’ Day. Planning meetings are every Saturday in April at 5 p.m. at the New Haven People’s Center, 37 Howe Street. The space is wheelchair accessible. For information and to get involved, please call John Lugo, 203-606-3484.

There will also be May Day events on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, that are being planned by Yale students in Dwight Hall in coordination with ULA and other New Haven community organizations and individuals. Everyone who wants to build for May Day is welcome to the planning meetings, held every Saturday in April, 5 p.m. at 37 Howe St., and every Monday in April, 7 p.m. at 67 High St.

Get Involved in May Day 2025! Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3

May Day 2025 will be held on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 on the New Haven Green and in locations at Yale. Commemorate the 55th anniversary of May Day 1970 and the Black Panther trials in New Haven.

May Day 2025 is intended to serve as a People’s Rally for the betterment of all New Haven communities. May Day 2025 seeks to again create a people’s university at Yale, which sees institutional resources shared.

Have something to say about migrant rights, police accountability, food sovereignty, community health, environmental justice, or other issues? Sign up to speak at the rally! Host a workshop! Set up an info table about your organization! Are you a performer? We’re looking to host local artists, musicians, and other creatives.

The Dwight Hall May Day 2025 Steering Committee wants YOU! Contributions to May Day 2025 can take any form. By including many voices and perspectives in these conversations, we can best reflect community sentiment. Attend our weekly planning meetings, 7 p.m. every Monday in April at Dwight Hall, 67 High St. (wheelchair accessible).

Contact [email protected] and [email protected] for more information.

Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride Is Set for Saturday, April 26

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven/León Sister City Project

Rock to Rock Earth Day ride is moving ahead this spring, working with 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and raise critical support for local environmental organizations.

2025 Rides include 5, 12, 20, 40, 60-mile, and two Family Rides in East Rock Park, plus a hike in East Rock Park and West Rock Park.

All rides start and end at East Rock Park, with a Green Fair, live music and food trucks.

Participants raised over $200,000 in 2024 for local environmental projects. All of the participating organizations are continuing to work in a hundred different ways to make our community greener, healthier, more welcoming, and more connected.

We will also hold our annual Day of Service on Saturday, April 12. Sign up on the website. For more information on Rock to Rock, to register, or to donate, go to rocktorock.org. Email: [email protected], phone: 203-479-0298.

The Latest from CT Green Energy News

by People’s Action for Clean Energy

[Excerpts from March 21 issue of CT Green Energy News]

“Eversource and Avangrid join fossil fuel lobby, undercutting climate targets”
Boston Globe.
“Last year, two major energy companies working in Massachusetts [and Connecticut] joined the ranks of an innocuous sounding group: the Consumer Energy Alliance… Its stated purpose includes “the promotion and defense of natural gas.”…Across the country, the alliance has fought the kinds of climate policies that are taking root in Massachusetts….That makes it “incredibly troubling” that both Eversource, one of the state’s largest gas and electric utilities, and Avangrid, offshore wind developer and the parent company of Berkshire Gas, became members of the alliance last year.”

CT bill would ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Connecticut Public.
“A bill in the Connecticut General Assembly would ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the state starting in 2029. Co-sponsored by 10 Democratic state lawmakers, House Bill 6263 would first direct state and municipal agencies to begin phasing out the use of gas-powered blowers beginning in 2027. Beginning in 2029, the use and sale of such blowers would be outlawed statewide…“They are much more than just a nuisance – they are actually a very meaningful public health threat,”…the blowers emit fine particulate matter “which is respirable, which goes into the lungs, goes into the bloodstream,” as well as conventional air pollutants like ozone.”
[See the entire newsletter at www.pacecleanenergy.org]

CT Protests Over the Khalil Abduction

by Stanley Heller, Middle East Crisis Committee

A protest on March 12 in Hartford, originally called by CT Labor for Palestine, morphed into a protest over the taking by ICE of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate.

The rally took place in front of the Ribicoff Building in Hartford which. among its federal offices, houses ICE.

Several score people walked up and down in front of the building with signs with various messages. Many said, “Free Mahmoud Khalil”. Others said, “Justice for Palestine, Prosecute the War Criminals,” “I Stand Against Genocide,” “Healthcare not Warfare,” “End All US Aid to Israel,” and “We are Standing for Social Justice.” One banner (from MECC) called on unions to sell off their Israel Bonds.

Photo: Stanley Heller, Bay View Park, New Haven

There were many messages from the speakers. One warned that Khalil and Palestine rights supporters were just the first targets and that we all had to stand together. Another talked about the extensive repression at Wesleyan and Yale and other campuses. I mocked the Israeli soldier who claimed to have the proof of Khalil’s support for terrorism, whose own “evidence” showed nothing of the sort.

In New Haven a few days later, a much larger rally condemned Israeli actions. A huge banner was featured that read: “Free Mahmoud, Protect Free Speech.” Many signs were provided by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and a theme was ‘Free All Palestinian Political Prisoners.”

The rally took place on March 16 and one protester held a sign featuring a picture of Rachel Corrie. Corrie, on March 16, 2003, was deliberately run over by an Israeli military Caterpillar tractor and killed.

The park was near an I-95 overpass. At the close of the rally people went to the overpass with their signs and then draped the extra-large banner over the railing.

You can see video of both protests at the YouTube channel of “The Struggle Video News.” Go to YouTube and search for the above channel, or scan this QR code.

Our website is: thestrugglevideo.org.

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