Government Matters Articles

Vol. 2 No. 25 December 10, 2001

Regulatory Matters Industry Groups Compile Regulatory Hit List for Administration Technology & Information Policy Questions Surround Handling of FirstGov Congressional Compliance with Accessibility Statutes Federal Budget Negotiations on Economic Stimulus Package Stalled Again Appropriations: Light at the End of the Tunnel Social Security Commission to Vote on Recommendations Nonprofit Sector Santorum-Lieberman Draft: Progress On Faith Based Initiative Bill Administration Pushes Reg Implementation Of Charit

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Vol. 2 No. 20 October 1, 2001

In This Issue Comments from the Executive Director

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Senate Appropriations Subcommittees Push for Limited FY 2003 Community Technology Funding

On July 16, the survival of two key federal programs working to bridge the digital divide was given an additional boost during markup sessions for FY 2003 appropriations.

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Vol. 2 No. 19 September 17, 2001

In This Issue Reacting to the Horror The following statement appeared on OMB Watch's website on September 13, 2001: The OMB Watch Board of Directors and staff are deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from the unconscionable and abominable terrorism on September 11, 2001. Even though these deplorable acts may have caused the bloodiest day in American history, it will not diminish the American spirit. A quiet fury will continue to build in each of us, and we must find ways to channel it.

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President Signs Debt Ceiling Increase Bill

On June 28, after much public and bipartisan hand-wringing, the President quietly signed a $450 billion increase to the debt limit, and thereby allowed the federal government to continue to sell Treasury bonds to help finance its current spending needs. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill had warned that without this increase, the U.S. would have to default on its debts for the first time in its history.

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OMB Watch Comments on New Performance Evaluation Tool

During the past three years, OMB Watch has sought to increase the participation of nonprofit groups in the implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). On July 3, OMB Watch submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the recently issued Program Assessment Ratings Tool (PART) arising from the first meeting of the Performance Measurement Advisory Council.

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'April Surprise' Turns Into July Fright As States Begin New Budget Year

Last Monday, July 1, marked the start of a new fiscal year for most states, many of which had to resolve large deficits after years of "April Surprises" -- the affectionate name given to the larger-than-expected influx of state income tax revenue each April 15.

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Senate Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Power-Plant Pollution

Legislation requiring significant cuts in emissions from electric power plants, including carbon dioxide, squeaked out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee by a vote of 10 to 9 on June 27, over the objections of the Bush administration. The bill (S. 556), sponsored by Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT), the committee’s chairman, would require emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) to be reduced by 83 percent, mercury by 90 percent, and carbon dioxide (CO2) by 23 percent, all by 2008.

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Hearings All Around, But Is Anyone Really Listening

Hearings continue in both the House and Senate on the Administration’s Homeland Security proposal. Since introducing the President’s proposal to create a cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, Director of Homeland Security, has testified almost nonstop before numerous congressional committees. Yet even with these many hearings on the biggest bureaucratic reshuffling in decades the President’s bill seems to have avoided serious criticism from Congress.

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Final Rule Gives Reason to CARP About Webcasting

Nonprofit, commercial, and individual webcasters, along with music industry interests, remain dissatisfied with a recent rule issued on royalty fees for recorded music handed down by the U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress, in response to February 2002 recommendations laid out by the federal Copyright Arbitration Review Panel. Full story: http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/892/1/77/

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