Government Matters Articles

Senate Finance Committee Holds Charities Roundtable

On July 22 the Senate Finance Committee held a closed door roundtable discussion with leaders and experts on the charitable sector to discuss a bipartisan staff proposal for reforms.

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Justice Department Supports Dismissal of Second Data Quality Lawsuit

The Justice Department (DOJ) issued a brief June 25 recommending the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Salt Institute under the Data Quality Act (DQA). The March 31 lawsuit against the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) challenged agency statements about sodium consumption.

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House Lobby Disclosure and Reforms Proposed

Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA) announced July 14 that he is filing legislation to strengthen lobbying disclosure requirements and reform the way the House of Representatives operates. Supported by Common Cause, Democracy 21 and Public Citizen, Meehan said the legislation is needed because "... never before have special interest lobbyists claimed so great an influence over the policy process." The bill does not have a number yet.

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Data Quality Whistleblower Fired

A Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) biologist has been fired after filing a data quality challenge that accused the agency of using flawed science in approving development projects in Florida panther habitat.

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DHS Extends Comment Period through August 16 for Environmental Directive

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reopened its comment period for its draft directive containing policy and procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, after several public interest groups requested an extension. The new deadline for comments is August 16.

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Court Rejects Agency Reasons for Trucker Hours Rule, Calls Arguments 'Troubling'

In a stinging rebuke, an appeals court rejected a change to regulations limiting the daily and weekly number of hours that truckers can work without rest breaks. Although the court based its decision on the agency's failure to consider a statutorily mandated factor, it also identified weaknesses in several arguments commonly raised to block regulation, repeatedly calling the arguments "troubling."

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EPA Announces E-rulemaking Online Forum, Public Meetings

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a countrywide series of public forums for August on an eRulemaking Initiative. The four forums will be held in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. In addition to EPA's public meetings, Harvard University is partnering with the eRulemaking Initiative to host an online dialogue during August. Details about the online dialogue will be released soon.

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New Report Explores Chemical Dangers from Power Plants

A new report by the Working Group on Community Right-to-Know estimates that 3.5 million Americans living near some 225 non-nuclear power plants are at risk from leaks or releases of gaseous ammonia or chlorine. It calls for these plants to switch to safer alternatives to ensure the safety of surrounding communities. The Working Group analyzed information submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from individual facilities. Facilities are required to assess the dangers they pose to the surrounding communities.

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California Nonprofits Caught in Revenue Squeeze

The California Association of Nonprofits (CAN) recently completed a study of the impact on nonprofits of funding cutbacks in California. In the report "Holes in the Safety-net: Study of Funding Cutbacks and Safety-net Nonprofits in California," CAN found that a wide range of nonprofits in the state are squeezed between revenue reductions and increased demand for services.

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Momentum Grows to Limit 'Classified' Information

Amidst growing criticism that the White Hose and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) attempted to classify information that would prove more embarrassing than threatening national security, senior Republicans and Democrats in Congress are moving to reform the classification system.

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