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The Watcher: December 18, 2007 -- Year-in-Review Edition

Vol. 8, No. 25 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Despite New Majority in Congress, Fiscal Policy Still Mostly Stuck in Neutral

Government Openness

Information Magic Eight-Ball

Protecting the Public

A Year for Failure: Regulatory Policy News in 2007

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for Nonprofit Speech Rights

Charities and National Security: Growing Awareness of Need for Reform

The Watcher: December 4, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 24 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Congress, President Running Out of Time to Achieve Fiscal Priorities

Government Openness

States Sue EPA for Reduced Reporting on Toxics

FedSpending 3.0 Goes Public

Secrecy Hinders Progress of Terrorism Cases

Protecting the Public

Multinationals Push for New Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations

Snowmobile Plan for Yellowstone Ignores Environmental Impacts

Scientific Wrangling over Air Quality Standard for Lead

Political Influence Leads to Revised Endangered Species Decisions

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Tamil Rehabilitation Organization and its U.S. Branch Shut Down

Study Commission or Thought Police?

FEC Approves Rule Exempting Issue Advocacy from Broadcast Ban

The Watcher: November 20, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 23 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Republicans Keep Obstructing Common-Sense Investment Initiatives

Estate Tax Repeal No Longer on the Table

White House Attempts to Entrench PART at Federal Agencies

The Real Long-Term Health Care Challenge

Government Openness

Congress Reforming Government Surveillance Authority

Toxic Chemicals R Us

Secrecy for Farm Animals

States Average a D-Minus on Disclosure

Protecting the Public

Bush Fuel Economy Measure Rejected by Court

More of the Same: Import Safety Panel Leaves Business in Charge

White House Rejects Krill Protection Rule

OSHA Issues Personal Protective Equipment Rule

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Nonprofits Object to Poison Pill Amendment in Senate Campaign Finance Disclosure Bill

Scrutiny of Anti-Terrorism Watchlists Increases

The Watcher: November 6, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 22 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Congress to Send Labor/HHS Appropriations to President While SCHIP Conflict Continues

AMT: Mother of All Tax Bills and Progeny

Government Openness

Consumer Products Expose Children to Toxic Chemicals

California Moves Forward with Greenhouse Gas Reporting

National Research Council Recommends Greater Openness

Senate Judiciary Committee Skeptical of Telecom Immunity

Protecting the Public

CPSC Reform Efforts Progress as Agency Woes Continue

Vice President Reemerging in Regulatory Review Meetings

Congress Told of FDA's Lax Inspection of Foreign Drug Makers -- Again

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Short Colbert Campaign Stirs Election Law Debate

Lobbying and Ethics Reforms Being Implemented

Senate Committee Hears GAO Testimony on New Report on Terrorist Watchlist

The Watcher: October 23, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 21 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

AMT: Prospects for Reform and the PAYGO Challenge

House Conservatives Sink SCHIP

Labor-HHS Appropriations to Test Bush Veto Threats

Government Openness

Senate Bill Grants Immunity to Telecom Companies, House Bill Stalled

California Restores TRI Reporting for the State

CIA Investigates Its Own Watchdog, the Inspector General

Transparency in the Election Spotlight

Protecting the Public

Report Finds Extensive Noncompliance with Clean Water Act Rules

Bush Administration Tries to Reverse Old-Growth Forest Protection Plan

While Feds Dither, States Move to Regulate Greenhouse Gases

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Nonprofits Briefed on Myths and Facts of the Financial War on Terror

Whistleblower Case Reveals Possible Political Campaign Intervention

No Conviction, Mistrial for Holy Land Foundation

The Watcher: October 10, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 20 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Congress Avoids Tough Questions of FY 2008 War Funding

Internet Access Tax: The Immodest Moratorium

Congress, President Spar Over Children's Health Insurance

Research Questions Cost-Efficiency of Privatization

Government Openness

EPA Cut Corners in TRI Rule

What You Don't Know Might Be More than You Think

Secrecy Surrounds Interrogation Practices

House Moves to Reform Expansive Surveillance Authority

Protecting the Public

Bush Administration Delays Import Safety Changes While Congress Debates Solutions

States Sue Bush Administration over New Children's Health Insurance Requirements

House Energy and Commerce Committee Proposes Climate Change Legislation Framework

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Nonprofits File Comments on Proposed Electioneering Communications Rule

Conference Focuses on E-mail Frustration Felt by Congress and Advocacy Groups

Congress Misses Oversight Opportunity on Charities and Anti-Terrorist Financing Laws

The Watcher: September 25, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 19 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Wartime Commission Would Investigate Contracting Abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan

U.S. Reaches Debt Limit: The Case for Long-Term Analysis

Congress to Vote on Compromise SCHIP Package

FY 2008 War Funding Could Top $200 Billion

Government Openness

NRC to Release Documents on Spill

Don't Go into the Water: It's Not the Jellyfish, It's the Sewage

Wiretapping Law the Focus of House Hearings

Secrecy on the Rise, Reports OpenTheGovernment.org

Protecting the Public

Senate Reviews Agencies' Attempts to Preempt Congress and the States

Congress Hears Pleas for Expanded Authority and Resources at CPSC

New White House Guidelines Fit into Broad Attack on Federal Protections

Congress Expands FDA User Fee Program, Reforms Drug Safety Process

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Nonprofits Challenge Two Florida Laws Regulating Voter Registration

Comments Urge IRS to Take Time with Form 990 Revisions

IRS Ends Two-Year Probe of California Church's Anti-War Sermon

Holy Land Jury Deliberates When Aid is Support for Terrorism

Lobby and Ethics Reform Bill Becomes Law

The Watcher: September 11, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 18 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Carried Interest Issue Gets Full Hearing(s) in Congress

Nussle Approved as Budget Head, Faces Task of Completing FY 2008 Budget

Continuing Resolution a Virtual Certainty; Congress Continues to Work for Appropriations Passage

Census Report Shows Working Americans Falling Behind

Americans Dislike Rising Inequality, Contrary to Popular Belief

Government Openness

EPA's Second Round of 9/11 Testing Falls Short

Wiretapping Made Simple

Parts of Patriot Act Ruled Unconstitutional

OMB Watch Releases 'An Attack on Cancer Research'

Protecting the Public

Bush's Anti-Regulatory Ideology under Increasing Scrutiny

Federal Agencies Knew of Diacetyl Dangers and Kept Silent

New Small Business Program Will Influence Agency Regulatory Reviews

It's Industry vs. Consumers and Health Specialists in National Ozone Hearings

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

USAID Temporarily Delays Implementation of Partner Vetting System

FEC Proposes Rulemaking on Elections and Issue Advocacy

The Watcher: August 21, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 17 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Carried Interest Issue Gathering Momentum in Congress

The Year in Fiscal Policy...So Far

Government Openness

State Secrets Privilege on Trial

EPA Overlooking Testing and Regulations of Nanochemicals

FOIA Performance Goes from Bad to Worst

Protecting the Public

Bush Administration Skirts Broad Environmental Law

Crandall Canyon Mine Collapse Implicates MSHA Procedures

New Report Examines Agency Review of Regulations

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Panel Debates Pros and Cons of Allowing Charities to Become Partisan

Agencies Extend Legal Services Restriction to HIV/AIDS Grants

The Watcher: August 7, 2007

Vol. 8, No. 16 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Senate Committees OK Nussle

Congress Approves Fiscally Responsible Expansion of Children's Health Insurance

Congress Passes Sweeping Lobbying and Ethics Reforms

Government Openness

House Committee Holds Hearing on Abuse of Information

President's Warrantless Wiretapping Authority Vastly Expanded

Senate Passes FOIA Reform

TRI Restoration Bill Passes Senate Committee

OIRA Issues New Standards for Disseminating Statistical Information

Protecting the Public

Size Matters: Nanotechnologies Present New Challenges

Toy Recalls Bring Attention to Commission's Inadequacies

OMB Manipulates Science in Cost-Benefit Analysis for Ozone Rule

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

FBI Raids Two U.S. Muslim Charities on Eve of Holy Land Trial

Senate Bill Bans States from Limiting Nonprofit Voter Registration Drives

House Hearing on Nonprofits Sees the Positive

Panel Discussion Focuses on Need for Clear Rules for 501(c)(3) Groups at Election Time

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