Blog: The Fine Print / posts by Guest Blogger
Sunstein’s “Simpler Government” Is Legally Suspect, Overly Secretive And Politically Unaccountable
Apr 4, 2013 by Guest Blogger
By Lisa Heinzerling
Originally posted on Think Progress
In his new book, “Simpler: The Future of Government,” Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein writes about his nearly four years as President Barack Obama’s “regulatory czar.” As the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (known as “OIRA”) within the Office of Management and Budget, Sunstein oversaw the regulatory output of the many agencies of the executive branch. Rules on worker health, environmental protection, food safety, health care, consumer protection, and more all passed through Sunstein’s inbox.
read in fullAn Agenda to Weaken Protections
Dec 11, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Agencies released today the Fall 2006 Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan, which sums up the work of the last six months and sets priorities for the coming year. Unfortunately, this year's regulatory plan has a few too many familiar faces. Agencies have failed to make progress on important regulations such as reducing worker's exposure to crystalline silica or upgrading energy efficiency standards. What's even more troubling about the Bush's regulatory plan for 2007 is the return of some industry favorites that aim to rollback health, safety and environmental standards.
read in fullLatest Watcher
Dec 6, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles this time:
Supreme Court Wades Through Decision on Climate Change
FDA Negotiates Increase in Drug Industry User Fees
read in fullGood News on Dudley
Dec 6, 2006 by Guest Blogger
According to the Federal Times, the Dudley nomination may be indefinitely on hold:
The nomination of President Bush’s controversial pick to head the government’s regulatory policy office is dead, according to a leading Republican senator.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the committee considering the nomination, said she decided not to bring the nomination of Susan Dudley to a vote this month by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
read in fullNRDC Wins Battle to Raise Energy Efficiency Standards
Dec 4, 2006 by Guest Blogger
After years of the Department of Energy dragging its feet on producing new energy efficiency standards for appliances, the Natural Resources Defense Council, two low-income consumers groups and 15 states have forced the agency into action through a settlement issued November 13. The lawsuit contended that the Department of Energy was as much as 13 years behind on issuing new standards. Now, under court order, the DOE will be forced to issue new energy efficiency standards on a strict timetable.
read in fullUSDA Backs Away from Animal ID System
Nov 29, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Prompted by pressure from industry, USDA has backed away from requiring ranchers to ID livestock in a federal database. The database was proposed last year in order to allow the agency to quickly track and stop the spread of disease between animals as well as disease spread from animals to humans. Currently, 23 percent of farms are voluntarily registered in the program.
read in fullMore Oversight in the Next Congress?
Nov 14, 2006 by Guest Blogger
The new Cindy Skrzycki column bodes well for federal oversight in the next Congress:
Some of the new masters of oversight are eager to get to work. [Pending Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Rep. James] Oberstar's agenda includes tightening port security and improving the operations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, much maligned for its Hurricane Katrina performance.
Rep. John D.
read in fullBoxer Threatens to Put Hold on EPA IG Nominee
Nov 14, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Susan Dudley isn't the only controversial nominee that might be snuck through during the lame duck session. According to CongressDaily, future chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), is threatening to put a hold on the nomination for the Environmental Protection Agency's nominee for Inspector General. The IG is responsible for sussing out waste, fraud and abuse in the agency.
Unfortunately, Bush's pick, Alex Beehler, has more experience in industry than oversight.
read in fullDudley Hearing this Monday Nov. 13
Nov 12, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Susan Dudley will face questioning from the Senate's Homeland Security Government Affairs Committee this Monday at 2:30 pm. You can watch the hearing live on C-Span3. Check the C-Span schedule for time or channel changes.
There's still time to tell your Senator to oppose Dudley's nomination.
read in fullHarnessing Technology for the Public Good
Nov 12, 2006 by Guest Blogger
Scientists at Rice University announced last week that they had discovered a cheap and effective way to remove arsenic from drinking water. While the technology is still years away from application in water systems, it provides an exciting example of how technology can be harnessed to provide solutions to public health and safety problems.
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