Government Matters Articles

New FEC Complaint Filed Against America Coming Together

Three campaign finance reform groups have filed a new complaint at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against an independent political committee, America Coming Together (ACT), alleging violation of FEC rules on what activities must be paid for with hard money. Hard money refers to funds raised subject to the limitations of federal campaign finance regulations, which prohibit corporate donations and individual donations over $5,000. ACT has used soft money to pay for direct mailings urging voters to defeat President Bush and elect progressive candidates all across the country.

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Implementing Electioneering Communications Gets Complicated

With the party conventions and fall election getting closer, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has published a brochure that explains restrictions on paid broadcasts that mention federal candidates 30 days before a primary or party convention and 60 days before a general election. This is the first election implementing the "electioneering communications" rule, which passed as part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA). FEC regulations exempt 501(c)(3) organizations and unpaid broadcasts.

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NPAction.org Announces A New Web Resource to Aid Nonprofits

Nonprofits Can Help America Vote! Announcing a new web resource dedicated to giving nonprofits the tools they need. Congress passed the Help America Vote Act in response to voting problems in the 2000 election. With electronic voting provisions getting all the news coverage, the public is unaware of other new procedures mandated by the Help America Vote Act. Nonprofits are the public's best source of nonpartisan information about candidates and voting procedures. You can help set the stage for greater civic participation - get ideas at www.npaction.org/helpUSvote!

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Report Says Economic Disparities Deny Many Americans a Political Voice

The American Political Science Association released a report this month, warning that democracy in the United States faces profound threats because "disparities of income, wealth and access to opportunity are growing more sharply in the United States than in many other nations, and gaps between races and ethnic groups persist."

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Rise in Child Deaths Due to Power Windows Angers Safety Advocates

Seven children have been killed by power windows in the past three months, prompting safety advocates to demand government and industry action. The number of deaths is an increase from the two to four deaths per year reported in the past several years.

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Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Nonprofits

Three panels of witnesses testified before the Senate Finance Committee on June 22, addressing a wide range of issues on governance, accountability and enforcement of tax laws. Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R-IA) said he expects to introduce comprehensive legislation on these issues in the fall, but that some proposals may move separately and possibly sooner. He said the hearing was the beginning of a dialog with the nonprofit sector, and that more hearings may follow.

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Good Riddance to Bad Policy: Budget Enforcement Bill Dies

A conservative effort to severely limit domestic programs was soundly defeated in the House last week. The so-called "Spending Control Act of 2004" failed by a vote of 146-268.

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Economy and Jobs Watch: Mid-year Update

Halfway through 2004 seems a good time to review where the United States is on the economy and jobs situation.

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Leaked EPA Memo Reveals Likely Delays from Economics Analysis

OMB requirements that agencies conduct economics-based analyses of the costs and benefits of regulatory decisions have delayed several major environmental protections and prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to install working groups of economists for every major rulemaking, according to an internal EPA memorandum. Uncovered by Inside EPA, the memo from EPA Acting Deputy Administrator Steve Johnson instructs agency officials to adopt new rules that subordinate environmental decisions to economic considerations:

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    The Faith-Based Initiative: In the Courts, Congress, and by Presidential Order

    A Wisconsin-based group sues the federal government over the faith-based initiative The president creates three new Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives by Executive Order and more agency regulations are announced Congress works to include religion in legislation A Wisconsin-based Group Sues the Federal Government Over the Faith-Based Initiative

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