Center for Effective Government | Because government matters

Right-to-Know Update

The issue over public access has taken a new urgency after the September 11th terrorist attacks with some -- often including those who opposed public access before September 11 th -- arguing that we should not be providing information that could be used by terrorists to do damage.

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SSA Evaluates Financial Impact of Bush Commission's Recommendations

On January 31, the Social Security Administration's Chief Actuary released its analysis of the financial impact of the Bush Commission's recommendations for the privatization of Social Security. For more on the significance of the recommendations and the SSA's analysis, see the Campaign for America's Future.

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Court Blocks Bush Appointment to Civil Rights Commission

A U.S. District judge ruled on Monday, February 4 that the Commission on Civil Rights had no vacancy to fill and thereby blocked Bush's appointment of a replacement for Commission Chairwoman Mary Frances Berry. The Justice Department has indicated that it will appeal the ruling. For more on the Commission and Bush's appointment, see this Washington Post article.

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"Unauthorized" Appropriations

Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its annual House and Senate reports listing the various FY 2002 appropriations whose authorization has expired or will expire before the start of FY 2003.

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Administration Kills Contractor Responsibility Rule

Two days after Christmas, with no one around to object, the Bush administration quietly revoked a Clinton-era rule that promotes greater accountability for federal contractors -- to make sure they comply with important public protections. Specifically, this contractor responsibility standard instructed government contracting officers to look at a bidding company's compliance with the law (including tax laws, labor laws, employment laws, environmental laws, antitrust laws and consumer protection laws) before awarding taxpayer dollars.

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OMB Identifies Regulations for Repeal

As part of its annual report to Congress on the costs and benefits of federal regulation, released last week, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a list of 23 "high priority" regulations it believes should be rescinded or revised. Many of these regulations are health, safety, and environmental standards, including major clean air and water standards (e.g., New

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OMB Issues Final "Data Quality" Rules

On January 3, 2002, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued final "data quality" rules, effective immediately. The rules were published pursuant to a rider on the FY 2001 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-554), which requires OMB to publish guidelines that "provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal agencies." The rider requires agencies to issue their own implementing guidelines that include "administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by the agency."

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