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The Watcher: December 16, 2008 -- Year-in-Review Edition

Vol. 9, No. 25 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

2008 Fiscal Policy Year in Review

Government Openness

Joe the Discloser -- Government Transparency in 2008

Protecting the Public

An Assault on Public Protections: Regulatory Policy News in 2008

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

'Twas the Night before New Year

The Watcher: December 2, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 24 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

TARP Oversight Helped, Hindered by Senate

Democrats, Obama Prepare Economic Stimulus Package for January

Government Openness

Outdated Virginia Laws Lack E-mail Transparency

Gas Drilling Threatens Public with Undisclosed Chemicals

Five Change.gov Clues to Obama's Approach to Governing

Protecting the Public

Plastics Chemical Could Remain on Market Despite Ban

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Conviction of Holy Land Foundation Raises Questions, Concerns for Nonprofits

Legal Battles Continue on What Constitutes Issue Advocacy

The Watcher: November 18, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 23 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Unemployment Insurance in Need of Overhaul

TARP Purchases Increasing as Oversight Languishes

Government Openness

Groups Seek More Congressional Transparency

Public Wants More Info on Food Labels

Coalition Makes Right-to-Know Recommendations to President-elect

Protecting the Public

Panel Sends Regulatory Recommendations to Obama, Congress

Bush Changes to Employee Leave among First Midnight Rules

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Study Says Nonprofits Help, Not Hinder, the War against Extremism

Nonprofits to President-elect Obama: Strengthen the Sector

The Watcher: November 4, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 22 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Joint Economic Committee Holds Hearing on the Need for Economic Stimulus

Government Openness

Court Rules CIA Can Keep Any Secret It Wants

Climate Change Disclosure Becomes an Investor Thing

Protecting the Public

Midnight at the White House: Bush Using Rules to Cement Legacy

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Complaints about Church Electioneering Continue

The Watcher: October 21, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 21 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Commentary: Despite Record Deficits, Stimulus Package Warranted

Government Openness

Project Makes Transparency Recommendations for Next President

SEC Wants Transparency in Wall Street Credit Gambling

Mixed Grades for Government on Free Speech and Science

Protecting the Public

FDA to Open Regulatory Offices in Foreign Countries

EPA to Reduce Airborne Lead, but OMB Bedevils the Details

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Judge Says Shuttered Charity Must Be Given Due Process

Nonprofit Voter Protection Efforts Going Full Tilt

The Watcher: October 7, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 20 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Congress Enacts Flurry of Legislation at Year's End

Commentary: Bailout Package Signed into Law; Economic Stimulus Still Needed

Government Openness

EPA Reopens Libraries

EPA Doesn't Want to Know about Factory Farm Waste

Department of Justice Finalizes Enhancements of FBI Powers

Telecom Surveillance to Receive Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card

Protecting the Public

Bill Improving Inspectors General Independence Passes Congress

Foreign Foods Evade FDA's Watch

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Pastors Challenge Church Electioneering Ban

Treasury Promotes Private Philanthropy through USAID

The Watcher: September 23, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 19 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Senate Clears Contracting Reforms after Resolving Earmark Dispute

Key Tax Policy Items Remain Unresolved

Free Market Ends as Washington and Wall Street Merge

Commentary: On Bailouts, Congress Should Move with Great Care

Government Openness

Senate and House Take Legislative Swings at Secrecy

EPA's Assessments of Chemical Dangers -- Too Slow

FBI to Increase Secret Powers in the Near Future

Protecting the Public

EPA Failing on Children's Environmental Health Issues

Lobbyists, Allies in Congress Work to Derail Greenhouse Gas Limits

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Veterans Administration Again Reverses Itself to Allow Some Voter Registration Drives

Organization's Election-Related Activities Raise Questions

Voter Purging Allegations Arise as November Election Nears

The Watcher: September 9, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 18 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Rising Unemployment Adds to Struggling Economy

Congress Returns with Little Time, Huge Workload

Government Openness

Government's Secrecy Grade: Unsatisfactory

EPA Withholds Pesticide Information While Bees Die

Protecting the Public

FDA Fighting Mounting Evidence on BPA

Commentary: Bush's Last-Minute Rush to Dismantle Public Protections

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Critics Ask DOJ to Drop Proposed Expansion of Domestic Surveillance Powers

Police and Protest Groups Clash at Political Conventions

The Watcher: August 19, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 17 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Defense Contract Oversight Faces Multiple Challenges

Government Openness

Fisheries Rule Cuts Public Participation

EPA Launches Online System for Reporting Violations

State Group Launches Government Transparency Wiki

Senate Report Documents Problems with State Secrets Privilege

Protecting the Public

Bush Administration Pushing Last-Minute Rollbacks

One Year Later, Only Blame about Crandall Canyon Disaster

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Anti-Obama Group Seeks Exemption from Campaign Finance Rules

Federal Court Denies Injunction and Upholds Strict Voter Registration Fines in Florida

The Watcher: August 5, 2008

Vol. 9, No. 16 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Contracting Reform Agenda Makes Gains

Congress Fails to Act on Tax Legislation as Clock Winds Down

Government Openness

Bills to Reign in Controlled Unclassified Information Fly through House

State Secrets Problems are No Secret to Congress

Pesticide Problems Go Unnoticed by EPA

Protecting the Public

Consumer Product Safety Reform Clears Congress

Secret Risk Assessment Rule Aims to Halt Worker Safety Protections

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

IRS Directive Broadens Scope of Prohibited Web Links on Issues

Voter Registration Barriers Challenged in New Mexico, at Veterans Affairs

Maryland State Police Surveillance of Advocacy Groups Exposed

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