The EPA recently lost its ability to garnish wages for certain types of debts. KDLG’s Chase Cavanaugh has more.
In early July, the United States Environmental Protection Agency claimed the authority to garnish wages. Specifically, it would take non-Federal wages to collect on non-tax-related debts without a court order. Matt Shuckerow is the spokesman for Alaska Congressman Don Young. He says the EPA’s filing didn’t allow for much public input.
“The EPA basically placed a file notice in the Federal Register claiming authority to garnish such wages. This decision was done pretty quietly and it was fast-tracked to take effect on September 2, 2014. They allowed a small, short comment period that would end on August 1st.”
Young wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy explaining his opposition to the filing. It said the measure violates a citizen’s right to due process because it allows the EPA to decide whether the accused can even present a defense. Shuckerow says Young and other members of congress were also concerned about the amount of fines the EPA has been levying.
“They’ve seen the amount of fines issued by the EPA has drastically increased. It’s increased from $96 million across the country in 2009 to $252 million in 2013. This is about a 160% increase. It leads many to believe that these fines may in fact be excessive, as we’ve seen this dramatic shift by the EPA, an agency that has essentially been acting above the law.”
After pressure from congress, as well as significant public outcry, the EPA decided to revert its filing.