| In This Issue |
Federal Budget
OMB Watch Launches FedSpending.org
OMB Watch Launches FedSpending.org
Nonprofit Issues
Treasury Releases Third Version of Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines
OMB Watch Launches FedSpending.org (10/11/2006)
For the first time, itemized information on the more than $12 trillion disbursed by the federal government between FY 2000 and FY 2005 is now available to the public on a user-friendly, searchable Web site. FedSpending.org, a project of OMB Watch launched Oct. 10, provides citizens with a detailed look at how the government sets national priorities and allocates federal resources.
Treasury Releases Third Version of Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines (10/11/2006)
On Sept. 29, 2006 the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the third version since 2002 of its Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S.-Based Charities. The new Guidelines come after Treasury requested public comments on the Dec. 2005 revision of the original Guidelines. In an annex to the latest version, Treasury provides an unconvincing explanation of its perception that abuse of charities by terrorists is a substantial problem. Treasury also uses the latest version to place greater emphasis on the voluntary nature of the guidelines. However, the fundamental problems that lead the nonprofit sector to call for withdrawal of the Guidelines remain unchanged.