Government Matters Articles

Nuclear Commission Re-proposes Secrecy Rule

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has once again proposed a revision to its rules on information that should be withheld from the public under a category called Safeguards Information (SGI). The rule was originally proposed in February 2005. Now based on public comments and changes to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the NRC has proposed additional changes. While apparently narrowing the scope of some provisions, making it harder to withhold information, the amended rule would significantly expand SGI's definition, inserting language and add a new category of covered information -- Safeguards Information-Modified Handling (SGI-M).

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Nonprofits Call for Release of Frozen Funds for Humanitarian Efforts

In a letter sent Nov. 6, a group of charities and nonprofit sector leaders asked the Treasury Department to release frozen funds belonging to charities designated as supporters of terrorism "to trustworthy aid agencies that can ensure the funds are used for their intended charitable purposes." According to the letter, the request "takes no position on whether these designations were appropriate. Instead, [the authors'] concern is with ensuring that charitable funds are put to good use."

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EPA Falters on Commitment to Environmental Justice

Less than two months after the Inspector General for the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report critical of the agency's commitment to environmental justice, EPA closes the doors of one of its regional offices for minority advocacy.

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Intelligence Agencies Go Wiki

John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence, announced that federal intelligence agencies have implemented a new Wikipedia-like tool to share information across agencies. Intellipedia allows 16 intelligence agencies to access, update and revise pages on matters of national security. This cutting-edge venture in government information management is a welcome development for agencies that have often been stymied by turf warfare and other impediments to information sharing.

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Declassification Board: Bulwark Against Excessive Secrecy or Executive 'Puppet'?

Controversy was sparked this week over how much authority the newly-funded Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) has to investigate excessive secrecy. A bipartisan group of Senators from the Senate Intelligence Committee requested that the board review two reports on intelligence failures leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq for possible over-classification. In an interim response, the board maintained it can only review a document after receiving authorization from the president. If this decision stands, PIDB will hold no independent power to review potential abuses of power and cases of unnecessary secrecy.

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FedSpending Spotlight: Skyrocketing Contracts, Less Competition

Lurita Doan, the new head of the General Services Administration (GSA), recently complained about the growth of Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and the loss of contracting efficiency. Data from FedSpending.org reinforces these efficiency concerns by revealing the fast growth in federal contracts and, specifically, the remarkable growth of contracts for which there was little to no competition.

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Report Details Abramoff Abuse of Nonprofits, Recommends New Rules

An Oct. 12 report from Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) examines interactions between five tax-exempt organizations and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates, finding instances of serious abuse. The report recommends a broad expansion of the definition of lobbying, increased disclosure requirements and enhanced penalties for violations. Its recommendations for further action by federal agencies with investigative and enforcement authority has received national attention.

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Attorney General Gives Thumbs Up to Agencies on FOIA Plans

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales issued a report last week to President Bush on the implementation of Executive Order 13392, which required agencies to establish Chief Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officers and develop FOIA improvement plans to reduce backlogs and increase public access to highly sought-after government information. The report showers praise on agency improvement plans, in sharp contrast to an OpenTheGovernment.org review that found agencies failed to address important FOIA improvement areas.

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Bill Requires Release of Sensitive Security Information

In a positive development for open government, earlier this month President Bush signed into law the 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act which included provisions that mandate that all documents categorized as "sensitive security information" (SSI) be released after three years. Only a determination by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that there is a "rational reason" to continue to withhold the information can postpone the release.

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Ballot Initiatives Threaten Regulatory Protections

November ballot initiatives in six states would force state governments to provide compensation for lost property value as a result of regulation or be forced to waive the regulatory protection.

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