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The Watcher: December 14, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 25 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Bush Plans Economy, Tax Summit Dec. 15-16

Congress Strips Offending Tax Provision, Passes Omnibus Bill

Wealthy Congressmen Support Estate Tax

New York Joins States Raising Minimum Wage

Economy and Jobs Watch: November Numbers Still Lag Behind Need

Bush Signs Bill Extending Internet Tax Moratorium

Government Openness

DHS Pushes Secrecy on the Hill

Saving Graces on Intelligence Reform Bill

Center Sues FERC Over Restricted Energy Information

Sage Grouse Recommendation Follows Data Quality Challenge

Reclamation Officials Withhold Dam Safety Information

Protecting the Public

Superfund Lacks Funds to Cleanup Toxic Waste Sites

FCC Rigs Cost-Benefit Report to Side With Industry on Cable A La Carte

Food Supply Called 'Easy' Target for Terrorists

Rocket Fuel Ingredient Ignites Controversy

Panel Nixes Endangered Species Status After Politico Bashes Science

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

AU Sues to Block Funding for California Missions

ACLU Files Info Request on Government Spying on Nonprofits

Law Symposium Exposes Weaknesses of Anti-Terrorist Guidelines for Nonprofits

Nonprofit Accountability Update

Civic Engagement Conference Summary-Return the Charity to the Citizen!

The Watcher: December 1, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 24 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

White House Rejects Overtime Rules Amendments

Congress Raises Debt Limit, Fails To Pass Intelligence Bill

Congress Delays Spending Bill, Tackles Tax Return Provision

Government Openness

EPA Releases Early TRI Data, Usability Limited

Court Dismisses First Data Quality Act Case

CSX Refuses to Disclose Hazardous Waste Re-Routing

Jersey to Withhold Hazardous Waste Records

Intelligence Bill Erodes Right To Know

Committee Releases Clarke's Declassified Testimony

Protecting the Public

Graham Defiant in Hearing, Dems Probe Mercury Rule

Reg Round-Up

Critics Diagnose Systemic Maladies of FDA

NAS Biases Panel With Industry Interests

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

CFC Issues Terror List Check Guidance

Post Election Analysis of 527s, Other Issues Begins

Activists Assess Needs, Trends for 'Progressive Politics and Technology'

Court Narrows Faith-Based Suit

OMB Watch Launches Advocacy Blog

IRS Initiates Pay, Reporting Enforcement Effort

FEC Schedules New Rulemaking in 2005

The Watcher: November 16, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 23 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Florida, Nevada Vote to Raise Minimum Wage by $1

Opposition Seen on Second Term Tax, Social Security Goals

Lame-Duck Work Begins This Week

Government Openness

Terrorism Case Whistleblower Sues Justice Department

Halliburton Whistleblower Cut Out of Contract Procedures

Minnesota Legislature Restricts Media Access to Polling Sites

California Passes Prop. 59 in Win for Open Government

Nuclear Commission Restores Portions of Online Library

Protecting the Public

NPS Fails to Address Species Impacts of Snowmobile Trails

Americans Vote to Protect Environment in Ballot Initiatives

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

IRS Revises Application for Tax-Exempt Status for Charities, 501(c)(3) Groups

Muslim Charity Seeks Release of Frozen Assets

Nonprofits Came Out in Force This Election Season

Nonprofits' Suit Opposes CFC Terrorist Watch List Policy

The Watcher: November 1, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 22 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Upcoming 2006 Budget Process Portends Deep Discretionary Cuts

Completing Appropriations to Dominate Lame Duck Session

Election Day Ballot Initiatives Could Affect State and Local Tax Policy

Government Openness

Bush Campaign Restricts Access to Election Website

Indiana Open Records Audit Finds Improvement but Still Trouble

EPA Plans for TRI Burden Reduction

NRC Removes All Nuclear Information from Its Public Website

Protecting the Public

Interior Gives Exclusive Appeal Rights to Industry

Court Rejects Ban on Snowmobiles in Yellowstone

Mercury Emissions Adversely Affect Minorities

Dreier Pushes Amendment to Place DHS Above Law

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Independent Sector Names Members of Expert Advisory Panel

FEC Regulations to Stay in Effect Past the Election, Unpaid Broadcast Ban Appealed

New Rules, Empty Pockets: Funding Faith-Based Services in a Time of Fiscal Uncertainty

Treasury Department Shuts Down Muslim Charity

Report Finds Growing Pattern of Attacks on Nonprofit Speech

The Watcher: October 18, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 21 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Economy and Jobs Watch: Employment Report Again Shows Weakness

Senate Recesses, Completes Only 4 of 13 Spending Bills

A Tale of Two Deficits -- Trade and Budget

Federal Spending Hits Ceiling Forcing Treasury to Act

Senate Pushes Through Corporate Tax Bill Over Holiday Weekend

Government Openness

OpenTheGovernment.org Targets Secrecy in Post Ad

Justice Asks to Submit Secret Evidence on Transportation Rule

Congress Passes Limited FOIA Exemption for Satellite Imagery

Critical Habitat Proposed for Endangered Species Challenged Under Data Quality Act

Senate Chairman Refuses to Release Richard Clarke's Testimony

Delaware Professor Sues Pentagon for Coffin Photos

Protecting the Public

Administration Continues to Suppress, Weaken Science

Partisan Patterns Detected in Civil Rights, Environment Decisions

Recent Studies Show Lack of Enforcement of Environmental Laws

Gaps in Homeland Security Benefit Bush Campaign Funders

RegWatch Roundup

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Comments Needed on Alternative Guidelines to Prevent Terrorist Financing

Update on Church Electioneering

FEC To File Response to BCRA Court Ruling

Independent Sector Names Accountability Panel

New Corporate Tax Bill Limits Charitable Deductions

The Watcher: October 4, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 20 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Continuing Resolution Passes, Omnibus Bill Expected

Large Corporations May Receive More Tax Breaks

Congress Spends $146 Billion To Extend Certain Tax Cuts Without Offsets

Economy and Jobs Watch: The Lost Years -- by the Numbers

House Committee Drops Balanced Budget Amendment -- for Now

Government Openness

USAID Withholds Whistleblower Information, Legislation Moves Forward

Senate Declines to Act on Corzine's Chemical Security Amendment

Wyden Targets Over-Classification

Kyl Proposes Expanding the Patriot Act

Court Strikes Down Part of the Patriot Act

Congressional Report on Data Quality Act Supports OMB Watch Findings

Fox Guarding the Clearinghouse on Contracts Data

Protecting the Public

Court Declines to Bar Regionally Restricted Vehicle Recalls

Industry Influence Weakens USDA Dietary Guidelines

States Take Lead on Emissions Standards

House Committee Blasts FDA for Delay on Antidepressant Warnings

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Letter to the Editor and Response Regarding Aug. 9 Article on New CFC Rules

Conferees Consider Rights, Restrictions on Electioneering

Bill to Regulate Independent Political Committees Introduced in Congress

Senate Finance Committee Considers Nonprofit Accountability

FEC Appeals Decision Overturning Reform Rules

The Watcher: September 20, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 19 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Return of a 'CYA' Budget Policy

Congress Defies White House, Saves Overtime for Millions

Economy and Jobs Watch: Cyclically Adjusted Deficit Reaches Record High

Appropriators Continue Slow Pace

Government Openness

House Resolution on Energy Task Force Fails

Highlights from the Right to Know Resource Center

Data Quality Act Progresses in the Courts

Audit of Sensitive Security Information Requested

Health Effects and Misinformation Drive 9/11 Suit

Homeland Security Whistleblowers Work Together

Study Finds Nuclear Facilities Vulnerable to Attack

Waxman Introduces Open Government Bill

Congressional Report Cites Growing Bush Secrecy

Protecting the Public

House Committee, Journals Call for More Clinical Trial Data

Nuclear Commission Avoids Accountability in Secret Rule Change

NHTSA Finally Issues Long-Delayed Tire Pressure Rule

OSHA Sets Ergonomics Guidelines for Poultry Workers

OMB Watch Launches Regulatory Weblog

Report Discovers 'Pattern of Failure' to Serve Public

Congress Defies White House, Saves Overtime for Millions

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Bush Expands Faith-Based Initiative to Vouchers, State Control

Courts Rule on Nonprofits Electioneering Communications

Tax Bill May Include Church Electioneering and Charity Tax Provisions

Independent Political Committees Controversy Hits Courts

Nonprofits Needed to Help Fill Poll Worker Shortage

The Watcher: September 7, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 18 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Appropriations: A Look Ahead

Economy and Jobs Watch: Sluggish Growth Continues

Labor Day Finds Little to Celebrate in Recent Trends

'State of Working America' Calls Economy Unbalanced

CBO Updates Budget Estimates: Massive Deficits to Grow

Government Openness

City Cites Terrorism in Secret Meeting on Gangs

Security Measures Invoked to End Safety Measures

Industry Data Quality Challenge Weakens Dietary Guidelines: Deadline for Comments Sept. 27

Coalition Reports Massive Classification Abuse, Secrecy Rose 60%

Senate Approves FOIA Exemption for Satellite Images

Protecting the Public

Politics over Science: Change in Recovery Plan for Salmon Smells Fishy

FDA Quietly Drops Rule to Protect Recipients of Contaminated Blood

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Bush Campaign Files Suit to Force FEC to Shut Down 527s

FEC Seeks Comments on Electioneering Rule

IRS Audits Nonprofits, Lets Big Business Slide

Commission Finds Muslim Charities Shutdown Without Cause

The Watcher: August 23, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 17 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Watch for August 26 Release of Poverty, Income Statistics

Recent Data Shows Decline in Nonprofit Employment, Earnings

Economy and Jobs Watch: Tax Cuts Go Mostly to the Rich

Government Openness

Officials Seek Exemptions to Arkansas Access Law

Lawmakers Attack Science of Endangered Species Act

Justice Punishes Employees Who Cooperate with Congress

Secrecy Law Raised in Albany Terrorism Case

Right-To-Know Resource Center Gives News Context

Coalition Files FOIA Suit Against Homeland Security

Protecting the Public

White House Overrides Forest Service, Allows Gas Project

Kennedy Calls for OSHA Accountability in Letter to Chao

Bush Contributor to Benefit from Weaker Hazardous Waste Rule

Snowmobiles Allowed in Yellowstone Despite Court Loss

Regulatory News Briefs

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Bush Pushes Faith-Based Initiative Without New Authority

FEC Adopts Rule to Control 527 Political Groups

The Watcher: August 9, 2004

Vol. 5, No. 16 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Mid-session Review Presents Misleading View of Nation's Finances

National Debt Limit Countdown

Budget Legislation Watch

Economy and Jobs Watch: Economy Shows Signs of Weakness under Pressure

Government Openness

Ask Your Representatives to Investigate the Data Quality Act

Data Quality Challenge Helps Bump Species from Consideration for Endangered List

Justice Dept. Asks for Destruction of Documents, Later Rescinds

FBI Punishes Whistleblowers

Ohio Proposes Strengthening Open Records Law

Protecting the Public

Mine Safety Subordinated to Mining Company Interests

OSHA, Congress Weaken Workers' Protections Against TB

Court Rejects Cost Considerations in Clean Air Act ... Almost

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Update on Elections and Nonprofit Advocacy

Terror Prevention and Nonprofits: CFC Policy Raises Concerns about Chilling Impact

Muslim Charity Says FBI Fabricated Evidence, 8 Indicted

Senate Finance Committee Asked to Consider Financial Burden of Reform Proposals

Uniform Financial Guidelines for Government Grants Proposed

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