TPC Releases New Long-Term Federal Budget Projections
Apr 30, 2010 by Gary Therkildsen*
The Tax Policy Center (TPC), a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, released a new report yesterday examining the nation's budget outlook over, what TPC describes as, "10-year and long-term horizons." The paper, whose title recalls a famous Yogi Berra quote, examines these horizons under three sets of assumptions: the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline, an extended policy scenario, and the administration's FY 2011 budget proposal.
read in fullPollution and Justice 101
Apr 30, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be conducting a webinar to instruct the public on how to use the pollution information in the agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to support environmental justice efforts. In addition to teaching the basics about TRI, the webinar will feature real life examples of how communities have used TRI to address environmental justice concerns. We have encouraged EPA to reach out to the public and publicize the data and tools the agency provides; this webinar is an excellent opportunity for any citizen or public interest group to learn about a very valuable advocacy tool at their disposal.
read in fullObama on Oil Rigs: Who Knew These Things Could Leak?
Apr 30, 2010 by Matthew Madia
President Obama is backing away from earlier plans to permit new offshore drilling amid growing concerns that oil spilling from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico will soon reach the Louisiana coast, exacting serious environmental damage.
read in fullLabor Pushing Proactive Agenda during a Dark Time for Workers
Apr 29, 2010 by Matthew Madia
It doesn’t seem like a very safe time to be an American worker. Yesterday was Workers Memorial Day, and the news is filled with stories about why such a day is necessary. Seth Harris, Deputy Secretary of the Labor Department, called it a “somber time” in an event today at the Center for American Progress.
read in fullAfter Much Delay, the DISCLOSE Act is Introduced
Apr 29, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
In front of the Supreme Court, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the introduction of legislation meant to diminish the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The much anticipated bill is titled as expected, the DISCLOSE Act, which stands for Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections. Four Democrats signed on as co-sponsors, including Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Al Franken (D-MN).
read in fullMore Citizens are Using the Internet to Engage with Government
Apr 28, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project released a new report which found that most Internet users have visited a government website to get information or complete a transaction during the last year. The findings are based on a survey of 2,258 adults 18 or older. According to the report, about a quarter of adults have posted their own comments online about government issues, participated in an online town hall meeting or joined a group that tries to influence policies.
read in fullMeat and Poultry Agency Struggles without Leader
Apr 28, 2010 by Matthew Madia
Without a Senate-confirmed head, rulemaking at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has ground to a halt. FSIS, the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, made progress on only one significant regulation in the past six months, according to the semiannual Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions published Monday.
read in fullSupreme Court Denies Review in Challenge to FEC Rules
Apr 28, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Supreme Court sent back to a lower court a case originating from the 2008 presidential election, challenging Federal Election Commission (FEC) disclosure rules. A 527 organization, the Real Truth About Obama (RTAO), wanted to sponsor ads covering President Obama's record on abortion and other issues. After the group lost their appeal of a federal district court decision, RTAO requested the Supreme Court to review the case.
read in fullTreasury Begins to Sell Citigroup Stock
Apr 27, 2010 by Sam Rosen-Amy
As discussed in a recent Watcher article, Treasury is starting to divest itself of Citigroup assets. The news came out on Monday, with Citi's stock price at $4.86, but at the close on Tuesday, the price had plunged to below $4.40 a share.
read in fullCoal Ash Rule Still on Track?
Apr 26, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still plans to issue a proposal for the regulation of coal ash in the coming weeks, according to the agency’s most recent regulatory agenda.
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