Press Release from Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick

Press Release “Minnick Makes Federal Government Pay Back Idahoans”

By Dean Ferguson, Guest Writer, 2-26-10

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick promised to fight for Idahoans when he took office, making it his top priority to hold federal government accountable. He fought to get Idahoans all they were owed from their government. He directed his staff to work hard for constituents and to get results.

Minnick keeps promises.

In 2009, Minnick’s offices put more than $2.5 million back into the pockets of individual Idahoans. That was money the federal government owed or was trying to take from businesses, seniors, veterans, and families. On top of that, Minnick’s offices ran lean enough to return $100,000 from his $1.5 million congressional budget to taxpayers. That budget covers the costs of staffing and running four offices in Idaho and one in Washington, DC.

“Fighting for constituents is the most important work that a Congressional office should do,” said Minnick. “I am proud that my staff has been able to cut through red tape to help Idahoans obtain money that was owed to them from our federal agencies.”

Minnick helped Bill Martin of Boise, owner of Metro Express Car Wash, get back money unjustly taken by the IRS. As a businessman, Martin is impressed with how efficiently Minnick runs his offices, calling $2.5 million a “great” return on investment.

“That’s a pretty good use of taxpayer dollars,” Martin said.

Work a congressional office does for individual Idahoans gets little publicity (work on legislation makes the headlines), but it makes a big difference. Minnick’s team closed 1663 cases last year, 802 of which involved veterans.

The $2,507,420.15 Minnick’s caseworkers fought to give back to Idahoans does not include monetary value associated with helping farmers get Conservation Reserve Program payments through the Farm Service Agency; or helping businesses to get HUBZone certification so they can bid on federal contracts; or helping get IRS penalties waived; or helping to get SSI overpayments waived; or helping veterans collect GI benefits; or helping people who struggle to repay student loans; or helping with home loan modifications; or in some cases helping people find jobs.

The following people have agreed to share their stories with the wider public:

Adoption—Scott and Abby Hoefer of Boise still had a year’s worth of paperwork to process to adopt Alex, a Haitian orphan. When the terrible earthquake hit, they contacted the Minnick team to help. Alex is now an Idahoan living in a loving family.
Medicare—After a lifetime of being healthy and independent, Todd Sorensen of Middleton, suffered a spinal injury. He couldn’t work and lost his insurance. A clerical error from 1994 kept him from getting his Medicare benefits. Frustrated, Todd contacted the Minnick team. He began receiving monthly payments within a month.
IRS—When Metro Express Car Wash owner Bill Martin of Boise was wrongly fined a late fee on his taxes, he went to Walt Minnick. The IRS agreed to return money he’d paid.
FAA—Bob Barnhart’s business, EC Power Systems of Boise, was not paid for work for the Federal Aviation Administration. The Minnick team got him paid.
Medicare—Lynda Bayford of Meridian needed medical equipment approved by Medicare. Minnick’s team stepped in and discovered that the doctor’s office was using the wrong billing code. Lynda now can afford the medical equipment she needs.

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