A superwaiver provision is moving through the House that would bring a huge shift of power to the Executive Branch and states to override congressional authorizations and funding decisions for a variety of low-income programs.

Stop Permanent Repeal of the Estate Tax (05/13/2002)
This alert provides background information on the estate tax and 5 action steps you can take to help prevent repeal of the estate tax. Read through the alert and then contact your Senators through this legislative link -- the talking points included in this alert are also available there to provide suggestions for your letter or call to your Senators.

Agency Data Quality Guidelines Issued (05/13/2002)
In the last two weeks, most agencies covered by the Paperwork Reduction Act published proposed guidelines to implement the Data Quality Act, which was passed as a rider to an appropriations bill. The agency guidelines are to comport with guidelines developed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) earlier this year. The list of agency guidelines is available online. Most agencies provide until the end of May to submit comments on the guidelines.

PACs Get Extension for Filing IRS Reports (05/13/2002)
The IRS has extended the deadline for PACs to file their registration and disclosure reports to July 15.

Rumors Swirl Around CARE Act (05/13/2002)
The faith-based initiative compromise bill introduced in the Senate by Sens. Joe Lieberman (C-CT) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) is expected to come before the Senate Finance Committee before Memorial Day, and rumors about substitute bills and amendments continue to circulate.

No Alternatives for TOP and CTCs Available in FY 2003 (05/13/2002)

On May 20, the federal Community Technology Centers (CTC) program is expected to release it's third grant notice, to help create and expand technology access within the context of educational opportunity and lifelong learning for the public in underserved and economically distressed urban and rural areas. This may, however, also be the last grant notice for the program.

Survey for Nonprofits With Government Grants (05/13/2002)
Federal agencies are now working to streamline the federal grants process. We are conducting an online survey of nonprofits to provide input to the agencies on priorities.


Court Rejects Move to Allow Dumping from Mountaintop Mining (05/13/2002)
A recent ruling in federal district court casts doubt over a Bush administration plan that would allow dumping of dirt and rock waste from mountaintop mining into valley rivers and streams.

OMB Pushes Consolidated Online Rulemaking (05/13/2002)
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced that it will create a single web site where citizens can comment on proposed agency regulations, according to a May 6 memo from OMB Director Mitch Daniels to heads of agencies and executive departments.


Secrecy at the EPA (05/13/2002)
On May 6, 2002, President Bush granted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Todd Whitman the authority to classify information as "Secret." This order was published in the May 9, 2002, Federal Register. The delegation of this authority is provided in accordance with Executive Order 12958 of April 17, 1995, entitled ''Classified National Security Information.''