The Center for Effective Government (formerly OMB Watch) ceased operations as of March 2016. The majority of work and materials has been passed on to the Project On Government Oversight (POGO). This site is being maintained as an archive of materials produced.
The new stimulus spending website mandated by the recently-passed (and soon-to-be-signed) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is now up and operational.
After a contentious debate period, the Senate voted (61-37) last night to end debate on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1), or "ARRA." Today, the Senate moved to approve the bill, with an identical vote tally.
Just one day after Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) introduced legislation (H.R. 796) to repeal IRS's authority to outsource private debt collection (PDC), the IRS began a 30-day independent-party review of its private debt collection program. If the agency decides against renewing contracts with CBE Group and Pioneer Recovery, the two private debt collectors, the PDC program would be terminated by March 6.
OMB Watch has joined more than 30 other groups from across the political spectrum in a new coalition demanding stronger transparency requirements in any stimulus efforts conducted by the government. The Coalition for an Accountable Recovery was formed to promote accountability policies for both government agencies and companies that contract with or benefit from recovery spending.
The Senate is currently debating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (S. 336), (or just "ARRA" or close friends and associates). And as we noted last week, the tax cuts and spending in the House version (HR 1) were receiving wide press attention, but we were more interested in the bill's transparency and accountability language. Today, we turn the spotlight on the analogue provisions in the Senate bill.
Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced that the Treasury Department will begin posting investment contracts of the banks that are participating in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
With nary a vote from the Republican side of the aisle, House Democrats approved a gigantic spending and tax package 244-188. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1) calls for some $544 billion in spending, including a $3 billion transit provision added as amendment, and $275 in tax cuts.
Upon the request of House Speaker Nancy Peolosi and House Budget Committee Chair John Spratt, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has analyzed
Just one day after Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) introduced legislation (
