The Bush administration recently finalized standards that will allow more forest-thinning projects to evade the established environmental review process, including public appeals -- likely accelerating logging in forests.

On May 27, 2003 the Supreme Court refused to hear a case challenging the blanket secrecy of deportation hearings held for hundreds of foreigners detained after the September 11th attacks. The government ordered all immigration hearings closed for foreigners that were deemed "special interest" because of possible terrorist connections. This policy was challenged in two different circuit courts with two different rulings.

John Graham, administrator of OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, is urging the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to revise dietary guidelines and the food pyramid to reflect the dangers of trans fatty acids (found in margarine, salad dressings and baked goods) and the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed and canola oil).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced its intent to abandon a rulemaking that would protect workers from tuberculosis (TB) -- a contagious and potentially lethal airborne disease. OSHA first proposed tuberculosis standards in October of 1997 and has sought public comment on the issue a number of times in recent years -- but has failed to issue a final rule. Meanwhile, the number of TB cases increased in 20 states between 2000 and 2001, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). In its most recent