Later in March, the Obama administration plans to release new guidance to federal agencies on which jobs the government can and cannot outsource to the private sector. The federal government's latest effort to better define what qualifies as an inherently governmental function should theoretically have significant consequences for reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, specifically regarding security contracting. However, change is unlikely.

The Recovery Act may be a great step forward for spending transparency, but it is also exposing the problems of obtaining quality recipient reporting. Two new government reports show that recent revisions and additions to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rules on recipient reporting are not necessarily "magic bullets" for addressing reporting errors. The reports also make clear that ensuring that recipients have a clear understanding of existing guidance is a crucial aspect of any data quality improvement effort.

The Obama administration has proposed new guidance intended to increase transparency and public involvement in the implementation of one of the nation's oldest and most important environmental laws. The 40-year-old National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) creates a process where federal agencies must review the environmental impacts of their actions and evaluate alternatives while working to include public participation in the process.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is gearing up to release its plan for national broadband access on March 17. The FCC is required under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop and present to Congress a plan to connect an estimated 93 million Americans to broadband service. Early releases of the plan indicate a broad vision, but problems concerning funding and net neutrality threaten its success.

A new report has found that foodborne illnesses take a $152 billion toll on the American economy each year. Other hazards that regulators keep tabs on, such as air pollution, can increase medical costs if the public is not adequately protected.

On March 3, the Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy (SKAPP) released the results of a two-year research effort to explore the working environment of federal scientists in the public health and environmental fields. The results showed that not only is there political interference in their work, but that scientists also faced a series of obstacles that delay the study and dissemination of scientific information that affects the public every day.

On Feb. 23, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Humanitarian Law Project v. Holder, a case challenging parts of the USA PATRIOT Act (Patriot Act). The Humanitarian Law Project (HLP) and other charities allege that sections of the law violate the First Amendment.

Redistricting reform efforts have emerged as a key issue that could significantly impact our democracy in 2010 and beyond. While it does not appear that there will be nationwide redistricting reform, efforts are moving forward in several states. Nonprofits have taken a lead role in advocating for a process that is independent, nonpartisan, and fair while also ensuring that their constituencies' interests are represented.