OMB Watch | Promoting open government, accountability, and citizen participation since 1983

The Watcher: December 21, 2009 -- Year-in-Review Edition

Vol. 10, No. 24 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Fiscal Policy in 2009 – A Review

Government Openness

Transparency: Change You can Trust

Protecting the Public

Beginning Steps toward a Regulatory Reform Agenda: Regulatory News in 2009

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

A Song about Nonprofit Speech Rights in 2009

The Watcher: December 8, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 23 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

OMB Watch Unveils Recovery Act Recipient Reports Database

Estate Tax Reform Bill Passes House, Moves to Senate

House Moves to Give More Access for GAO, SIGTARP, and the Public

Government Openness

Open Government Directive Hits the Streets

Secret Holds Continue in the Senate

Study Shows Infants Exposed to Hundreds of Harmful Chemicals before Birth

State Governments Follow Federal Lead in Data Reporting Technology

Protecting the Public

New OIRA Staffer Calls Attention to Office’s Role

MSHA Outlines Policy, Regulatory Agenda

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Group Asks FEC if Federal Election Law Preempts State Robocall Laws

How Will Proposed Anti-Prostitution Rules Impact Nonprofits?

The Watcher: November 24, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 22 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

GAO Report Shines Spotlight on Recovery Act Jobs Data

The IRS Gets Serious about Tax Enforcement

Government Openness

Lessons of Bhopal: 25 Years Later, U.S. Chemical Laws Need Strengthening

Technology Sector Increases Its Presence in Open Government Dialogue

Protecting the Public

OSHA Misses Injuries and Illnesses, GAO Says

The Watcher: November 10, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 21 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

About Those Recovery Act Job Numbers

OMB Watch Submits Comments on Contractor Database

Government Openness

House Passes Chemical Security Bill

House Committee Marks Up State Secrets Bill, Sends It to the Floor

House Judiciary Committee Approves Strong PATRIOT Act Reform

Protecting the Public

EPA to Overhaul Air Pollution Standards

OSHA Levies a Record Fine against Oil Giant BP

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Nonprofits Play Role in Legislative Push to Remove Barriers to Voting

Study Reveals the Focus on Lobbyists Could be Flawed

The Watcher: October 28, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 20 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Poor Data Quality and Lack of Website Functionality Hobble Recovery Act Recipient Reports

Senate Continues to Struggle with Appropriations

Government Openness

U.S. Waters Still Toxic Dump Sites

Federal FOIA Mediator Begins to Use Technology to Reach Public

House Moves to Reduce Risks from Chemical Plants

Protecting the Public

OMB Role in EPA Chemical Program Questioned

EPA Inspector General Targets Water and Air Enforcement

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

FEC Decides Not to Appeal EMILY's List Decision

Census Amendment Stalls Appropriations Bill, LSC Funding

The Watcher: October 14, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 19 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

First Round of Recovery Act Data Expected Oct. 15

Latest TARP Program Poses Significant Conflict of Interest Issues

OMB Releases Plan to Elevate Performance Evaluation

Government Openness

Controversial Patriot Act Reauthorization Ready for Senate Floor

Metal Mining Proposal Marks Online Forum Trend at EPA

Read the Bill Act Stalled in Congress

Protecting the Public

Fractured Nomination Process Leaves Regulatory Posts Vacant

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

NCRP Report Confirms Return on Investment in Advocacy

EMILY’s List Decision May Impact Contribution Limits, Other Campaign Finance Cases

The Watcher: September 29, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 18 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Commentary: Obama Reform Proposal would Improve Transparency in Financial Markets

Congress Attempts to Wrap up Appropriations

Government Openness

New Policy Marks First Step in Narrowing State Secrets Privilege

Congress Braces for Patriot Act Battle

Companies Required to Report Greenhouse Gas Pollution

Protecting the Public

Sugar Company Ignored Explosion Hazards, Investigation Concludes

Agencies and Courts Beat Congress to the Punch in Climate Change Fight

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

White House Moves to Limit Lobbyists on Federal Advisory Committees

Nonprofits Active in Efforts to Prevent Use of Courts to Discourage Public Participation

The Watcher: September 15, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 17 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

October Surprise: Looming Recovery Act Data Quality Issues

Wartime Contracting Commission Continues Work through Summer

Government Openness

EPA Pushing Data Out to the Public

Secrecy Report Card Gives Modest Grades to Bush and Obama

Protecting the Public

Majority of Americans Support Food Safety Reform, Poll Finds

Sunstein Confirmed as Obama's Regulatory Chief

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Supreme Court Rehears Citizens United Case; Decision Could Impact Nonprofits

Assessing the Impact of the Social Innovation Fund

The Watcher: August 18, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 16 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

Obama Administration Seeks to Curtail Award Fee Contracts

Government Openness

CDC Attempts to Track Health and Pollution Connections

The Rise of Gov 2.0

Protecting the Public

Obama Administration Joins Roadless Rule Battle

Lead Limits, Tracking Requirements for Toys Take Effect

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Forged Letter Scandal Highlights Need for Greater Disclosure

The Watcher: July 29, 2009

Vol. 10, No. 15 PDF Version

Fiscal Stewardship

TARP IG Reports Underscore Need for Better Transparency in Financial Bailout

OMB Watch Submits Contracting Reform Comments

House Passes Statutory PAYGO Bill

Government Openness

White House Refuses to Release Visitor Logs

Court Rules that CIA Committed Fraud in State Secrets Case

Reproductive Health Declines as Chemical Exposure Increases

Protecting the Public

While Sunstein Nomination Is Delayed, Regulatory Reform Waits

EPA to Emphasize Environmental Justice Issues

Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Senate Set to Lift Legal Services Corporation Restrictions

Advocates Say New Recovery Act Lobbying Guidance Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Please note that we reserve the right to remove site comments that contain threats, excessive profanity, or commercial advertisements.

Firefox users: Having trouble opening PDFs?

Combined Federal Campaign #10201

The Watcher Archive