Government Matters Articles

In Ethics Reform, Congress Proposes Ways to 'Follow the Money'

In response to the ongoing corruption scandals unfolding in our nation's capitol, Congress has taken up efforts to pass lobby and ethics reform. Among the provisions proposed for inclusion in lobby reform legislation was one that simply seeks to uncover where taxpayer dollars are going, specifically money spent on government contracts and grants. Unfortunately, at this point the provision appears unlikely to be included in final legislation.

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Report, Legislation Drive Push to End Pseudo-Classification of Information

No government-wide policies or procedures currently exist to guide agencies through deciding what information should be withheld from the public due to its "sensitive but unclassified" nature. The federal agencies are also without uniform rules that govern who makes such designations and how such information is handled, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Legislation introduced by Reps.

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EPA Releases 2004 Toxic Release Inventory, Draws Questionable Conclusions

Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly released 2004 data on releases and disposals of toxic pollution throughout the country. EPA stressed that overall the data shows a 4 percent reduction in total release and disposal of toxic chemicals. When examined more closely, however, the data reveals a number of troubling trends in the 2004 data. The data is available for searching on OMB Watch's Right to Know Network (RTK NET) as well as EPA's TRI Explorer.

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Ohio Church Complaint Raises Questions of Fairness in IRS Enforcement

In an unusual case, 31 religious leaders in Ohio have written to the IRS objecting to inaction on a complaint against two Ohio mega-churches and their affiliates. The complaint filed in January alleges violation of the tax law's prohibition on partisan electoral activity by 501(c)(3) groups, which include religious organizations. Fairfield Christian Church, World Harvest Church and their respective affiliates, according to the group of pastors, carried out activities intended to help Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell in his bid for Ohio's governorship.

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Lobby Reform: House Moves Towards Floor Vote

House Republican leaders are weighing options to bring lobby reform to the floor after five committees reported out provisions that both Democrats and watchdog groups are calling toothless and ineffective.

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Sunset Commission Proposal Would Put Gov't Programs on Chopping Block

House conservatives have reportedly secured a floor vote for a radical sunset commission proposal that would ram program terminations through Congress. A Brief Overview To ensure passage of the House Fiscal Year 2007 budget resolution, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) reportedly struck a deal with Republican Study Committee (RSC) leaders for floor consideration of several proposals, including a presidential line-item veto and a proposal to institute sunset commissions.

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House Votes to Regulate Independent 527s Like Campaigns, Parties

The House of Representatives passed legislation that would subject independent political committees, exempt under Section 527 of the tax code, that work on federal elections to essentially the same contribution limits and reporting requirements as federal candidate campaigns and political parties. H.R. 513, the 527 Reform Act of 2005, passed the House on April 5 by a vote of 218-209.

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Groups Complain of FBI Intimidation

A Michigan forum on freedom of information and open government held during Sunshine Week last month provoked a call to the event's sponsor, the local League of Women Voters, from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. The agent complained about one panelist’s statements that criticized the USA PATRIOT Act and suggested the League should have had someone from the federal government on the panel. Within days Common Cause and the League wrote to FBI Director Robert Mueller to protest.

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NASA Launches New Disclosure Policy

The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) released a new policy statement governing public dissemination of information from the agency. Released on March 30, the policy is an apparent response to allegations that the agency attempted to suppress scientific research on climate change that contradicted Bush administration policy on the issue. While the new policy does begin to clarify and establish official guidelines for release of information, it remains too vague and contains too many loopholes to fully function as a vehicle for public disclosure.

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Harmful Budget Process Plans Could Become Reality

As Congress's work crafting the FY 2007 budget moves forward, Capitol Hill has been abuzz with talk of significantly changing the annual budget process. In the aftermath of the lobbying and ethics scandals of 2005, this year may prove an opportune moment for conservatives to enact damaging budget process changes that would entrench poor policy development mechanisms and alter the balance of power in the federal government. Enhanced Rescission Masquerades as Line-Item Veto

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