Blog: The Fine Print / posts by Gary Bass*
My Departure from OMB Watch
Jun 30, 2011 by Gary Bass*
As many of you know, this is my last week at OMB Watch. Next week, I will start work as the executive director of the Bauman Foundation. Before I go, I want to take the time to say farewell and to once again welcome the next executive director of OMB Watch.
read in fullCIO Vivek Kundra to Resign in August
Jun 16, 2011 by Gary Bass*
The White House today announced that federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Vivek Kundra will resign in August to accept a fellowship at Harvard University. We offer our most sincere congratulations to Vivek on the new position and wish him the very best of luck in the future.
read in fullAn Exciting Transition for OMB Watch
May 3, 2011 by Gary Bass*
On May 2, OMB Watch Board Chair Paul Marchand announced that Katherine McFate will become the new executive director of OMB Watch as of July 1. Having been here since the start of OMB Watch in 1983, I know what it takes to run the organization, and I’m excited about the Board’s decision to hire Katherine.
read in fullAdministration Moves to Shine Light on Contractors' Political Contributions
Apr 20, 2011 by Gary Bass*
A draft executive order on disclosure of political contributions from government contractors is circulating among federal agencies and has caught the attention of a few media outlets. What the order will mean for contractors and the general public will need to be hashed out should the draft become official.
read in fullWhite House Makes Boneheaded Move in not Proactively Disclosing Transparency Meeting
Mar 31, 2011 by Gary Bass*
Two days ago, I posted a message about my meeting with President Obama to acknowledge his commitment to transparency and to give him an award for that commitment. During that meeting, the president reaffirmed his belief in transparency and demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the issues involved. I left the meeting assured I had an advocate for transparency running the government, even as we talked about ways of strengthening transparency. Yesterday, I learned that the meeting was not listed on his public calendar. There is no good excuse for this.
read in fullA Face-to-Face with the President about Transparency
Mar 29, 2011 by Gary Bass*
Yesterday, I had a once-in-a-career opportunity – to discuss transparency in the Oval Office with the President of the United States.
read in fullReforming the Rulemaking Process Requires More than New Technology
Jan 27, 2011 by Gary Bass*
The three ideas for reforming participation in the rulemaking process in Beth’s Noveck's blog post, "Turning Rule Writers Into Problem Solvers: Creating a 21st Century Government That's Open and Competent by Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," may or may not be useful. They certainly can and should be tested empirically. But the focus on these participation issues must be complemented by reform of the rulemaking process itself.
read in fullObama and Open Government: Turning Vision into Reality
Jan 5, 2011 by Gary Bass*
On his first full day in office, President Obama promised an administration premised on transparency, participation, and collaboration. If Obama is successful in transforming government in this way, what does that mean for you?
read in fullObama Tax Cut Compromise Capitulates on Estate Tax
Dec 7, 2010 by Gary Bass*
President Obama's tax cut deal with congressional Republicans, if enacted by Congress, will achieve what President George W. Bush could not get done: create a path to effectively kill the estate tax.
read in fullThe Brewing Showdown over a Government Shutdown
Nov 16, 2010 by Gary Bass*
The Treasury Department says that some time in the first or second quarter of next year, the government will need to shut down unless Congress raises the debt ceiling so that additional borrowing can occur to keep things running. This could be a battle royale, creating showdowns within the Republican Party between the Tea Party activists and establishment members, as well as between the Republican Party and President Obama.
