EPA Again Refuses to Prevent Massive Fish Kills
Mar 30, 2011 by Matthew Madia
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week proposed standards for facilities that use natural waters to cool equipment, but the proposal does not require technology that would prevent millions of fish from being sucked in with the water.
read in fullLabor Department Takes Comments on Regulatory Review
Mar 22, 2011 by Matthew Madia
The Department of Labor announced March 16 that it will accept public comments on its plan to review existing regulations and their impact. Labor, like all agencies, is conducting the review in accordance with an executive order President Obama signed Jan. 18.
read in fullWho’s Really Behind Lawmakers’ Attacks on Regulation?
Mar 11, 2011 by Matthew Madia
Paul Blumenthal from the Sunlight Foundation describes on The Huffington Post how the for-profit college industry is leveraging campaign contributions to convince Congress to do the industry’s bidding.
read in fullHouse Panel to Debate REINS Act and Its Awful Consequences
Mar 8, 2011 by Matthew Madia
Today, a House panel will consider a bill that would create radical and damaging changes to the regulatory process and would undermine safeguards critical to our health, welfare, environment, and economy.
read in fullAir Standards Prove Their Worth
Mar 2, 2011 by Matthew Madia
A House panel held a hearing yesterday examining EPA rules on greenhouse gas emissions and grilling air chief Gina McCarthy, criticizing her for not doing enough to count economic costs when writing new rules (even though the Clean Air Act constrains EPA in that department).
read in fullBroad Opposition to Anti-Regulatory Bill
Feb 14, 2011 by Matthew Madia
On Friday, 72 labor, environmental, consumer advocacy, health care, and other public interest organizations (including OMB Watch) wrote to the House Judiciary Committee urging its members to oppose H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act. The bill, which we’ve been covering extensively on this blog in recent weeks, would require congressional approval of all major rules before government agencies can implement them.
read in fullThe REINS Act -- What a Mess
Feb 2, 2011 by Matthew Madia
Continuing our look at how H.R. 10, the REINS Act, would screw up the regulatory process by subjecting all major rules to a vote in Congress before they become effective, we will today look at an example that shows how REINS could cause great uncertainty for businesses (and everyone else).
read in fullREINS Would Delay Even Life-Saving Rules with Broad Support
Jan 31, 2011 by Matthew Madia
This week, I'll be providing examples of past regulations that would have fallen under H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS), a bill expected to move quickly through the House this year. The REINS Act would require Congressional approval for all major rules – a terrible move that could delay or kill new environmental, health, and safety protections.
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 fullWill State of the Union Mark Tonal Shift for Obama on Regulation?
Jan 26, 2011 by Matthew Madia
What a difference a week makes. Last Tuesday, Jan. 18, President Obama took to the pages of The Wall Street Journal to complain about federal regulation, adopting the conservative mantra that regulation is largely a nuisance and can impair job growth. Last night, in his Jan. 25 State of the Union address, Obama took a decidedly different tone. He began by implying that regulations are nothing but a hindrance to businesses. But just as quickly as my blood began to boil, it came down to a simmer. Obama followed by recommitting himself to the importance of public protections, citing consumer, labor, and environmental regulations as critical governmental contributions to society.
read in full
