The Watcher: June 30, 2009
Vol. 10 No. 13 PDF Version
Citizen Health & Safety
Consumer Product Agency under New Leadership
The Senate recently confirmed Inez Tenenbaum, President Obama’s pick to chair the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal regulator of everything from toys to toasters. Tenenbaum’s ...
Citizen Health & Safety
California Seeks to Add New Chemicals to Prop. 65 List
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is proposing to add 30 chemicals linked to reproductive harm and cancer to the state's Proposition 65 list. ...
Citizen Health & Safety
Obama Administration Asks for Public Views on E-Rulemaking
The Obama administration is asking for feedback on its efforts to include the public in regulatory decision making. E-rulemaking allows citizens and stakeholders to comment on ...
Revenue & Spending
Analysis of New Recovery Act Reporting Guidance
On June 22, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new guidance to federal agencies on implementing recipient reporting requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ...
Revenue & Spending
House Hearing Questions Whether PAYGO is Enough to Control Spending
The House Budget Committee held a hearing on June 24 on the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2009, which was recently introduced by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD). ...
Open, Accountable Govt.
Open Government Directive Experiment Wraps up July 6
On Monday, July 6, the Obama administration plans to conclude the third and final phase of its innovative online process to solicit public participation in the creation of an Open ...
Open, Accountable Govt.
Chemical Security Legislation Begins to Move Through Congress
The House Homeland Security Committee passed legislation June 23 that would greatly reduce the risks and consequences of a terrorist attack on a chemical facility. The ...
Protecting Nonprofit Rights
Supreme Court Upholds "Preclearance" Provision in 1965 Voting Rights Act
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the "preclearance" provision in Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 (NAMUDNO) v. Holder, a case in which a ...
Protecting Nonprofit Rights
Supreme Court Decides to Rehear Citizens United Case
On the final day of its 2008-2009 term, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to issue a ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC). Instead, the Court will rehear the ...
