Government Matters Articles

Designated Zones Continue to be Drawn for Protesters

The Secret Service has created restricted areas to keep those actively opposing President Bush's policies from being seen during his public appearances. People have been arrested for stepping outside the designated free speech area, and one man was prosecuted in federal court. In South Carolina a long-time political activist was fined $500 for entering a restricted area during a presidential visit. Much like two people who were arrested for stepping onto the street in Atlanta, Brett Bursey, 55, was peacefully protesting.

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Faith-based Initiative Gets a Push with Set Aside Funds

Evidence emerges that faith-based charities are not discriminated against, but instead they are being favored. Last Tuesday during his State of the Union address, President Bush urged Congress to open up billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. In doing so he states, "Tonight I ask you codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again."

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Time Remains to Comment on EPA's Burden Reduction Plans for TRI

OMB Watch encourages interested individuals to take part in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Stakeholder Dialogue Phase II that focuses on burden reduction options for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program. The TRI is a flagship database that contains information about releases and transfers of toxic chemicals from manufacturing facilities. Since the establishment of TRI, the simple act of publicizing the amount toxic chemicals that facilities release has pressured companies to reduce these releases by more than half.

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U.N. Report Compares Freedom of Information Laws

A new report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) examines freedom of information policies across several governments and non-governmental organizations. Over the past 10 years, the importance of freedom of information has been acknowledged throughout the world, and the report stresses the importance of free flowing information to democratic governments, human rights, and other issues. An overview of the international base for freedom of information is given.

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Economy and Jobs Watch: CBO Projecting Large Deficits

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today released their baseline budget estimates for 2005-2014. The analysis shows that in 2004 deficits will likely reach $477 billion - which is 4.2% of GDP - and that deficits will continue over the next decade, reaching a cumulative $1.9 trillion baseline over the next 10 years.

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Economy and Jobs Watch: Lowering the Deficit Bar

According to the president's State of the Union address, the administration claims it will "cut the deficit in half over the next five years."

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TAKE THE TAX AND BUDGET SURVEY AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ABOUT IT!!

We are conducting an exciting new Internet survey that explores tax and budget issues and will be used in an offensive strategic campaign. Respondents have until Feb. 4 to complete the survey.

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And Onward to the Budget Battles Ahead

President Bush's FY 2005 budget will be released on Monday, Feb. 2 with the promise of a difficult budget process ahead.

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The Budget for 2004 is Finally Done

Just in time for the start of the Year of the Monkey, on Thursday, Jan. 22, the Senate passed the omnibus conference report (HR 2673) which was approved by the House a month ago.

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Supreme Court Decides EPA Can Overrule State Air Permits

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Jan. 21 that EPA has authority to overrule a state construction permit that, as judged by the agency, violates air quality standards. In doing so, the court rejected the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s claim that EPA lacked the authority to block construction of a power plant at Teck Cominco Alaska Inc.’s Red Dog Mine, the world’s largest zinc mine, located in northwest Alaska. (Cominco sought more generating capacity to expand zinc production by 40 percent.)

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