John Graham, administrator of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), deserves praise for new measures – announced Oct. 18 – to increase transparency at his agency, which reviews (and can possibly reject) new agency regulations and information collections. As indicated in this press release and in this memo to OIRA staff, Graham intends to disseminate useful information through the Internet that will help the public better understand and evaluate OIRA’s activities. “This is truly a breakthrough for OIRA,” said Gary D. Bass, OMB Watch’s executive director. “In the past, OIRA has fiercely resisted transparency -- which is ironic considering its oversight authority over government information policy. What sunshine exists at OIRA has been mostly forced on the office, first by congressional pressure and then by executive order. Graham’s actions are refreshing in light of this history, and deserving of our praise.”