The Washington Post addressed a concern we have noted before, the possible ways registered lobbyists can avoid restrictions on communications with the administration regarding Recovery Act funding; just simply send someone who is not registered. This way those who are unregistered would be the ones lobbying for funding, and the communications would go undisclosed.

Norm Eisen, the White House ethics adviser recently posted twice at the White House blog on "the administration's historic opening efforts" on ethics reform. Eisen details a meeting held with the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and the American League of Lobbyists.

The Office of Management and Budget's guidance on implementing the president's March 20th memo regarding communications with lobbyists is being criticized as still too restrictive. According to The Hill, "the guidance has not lessened the worries of the coalition of groups that have campaigned against the restrictions."

On April 7 the Office of Management and Budget issued Interim guidance to help employees comply with the March 20 memorandum that put in place restrictions on communications between registered lobbyists and executive branch officials regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the economic stimulus package.