Blog: The Fine Print / Open, Accountable Government

Senate (sort of) Passes Estate Tax Cut

Apr 3, 2009 by Adam Hughes*

Well, the U.S. Senate is a mysterious thing. The Lincoln/Kyl estate tax amendment to reward the children of multi-millionaires passed last night - 51 - 48. But there's a caveat. The Senate also passed an amendment from Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) that prohibits any estate tax cuts called for in the Lincoln/Kyl amendment unless an equally large tax cut is passed for Americans making under $100,000 per year. That amendment also passed 56 - 43. Even Lincoln voted for Durbin's amendment (I guess she just really likes tax cuts?). I think on a procedural level this amendment does help a bit. While the Durbin amendment doesn't negate the Lincoln/Kyl amendment, it does make it a bit harder to develop legislation that would actually enact a change in the estate tax that is called for under the Lincoln/Kyl amendment.

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Long Overdue Outrage Over the Anti-Estate Tax Crowd

Apr 2, 2009 by Adam Hughes*

Both the New York Times and the Washington Post ran lead editorials this morning denouncing the attempt of Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) to give yet another tax cut to the children of the very richest Americans. Both editorials are spot on and raise excellent points about why Sens. Lincoln and Kyl seem to be both out of touch and out of their minds. In fact, both editorials express far more outrage and disdain for this proposed tax cut than I've ever seen before in any newspaper. (Read the Times and Post editorials.)

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56 National Organizations Oppose More Tax Cuts for Millionaires

Mar 31, 2009 by Adam Hughes*

The House and Senate are debating the FY 2010 budget resolution on the floor this week and in anticipation of regressive amendments that would expand the cut to the estate tax enacted under the Bush administration, OMB Watch joined 55 other national nonprofit organizations have sent a letter to each senator urging them to oppose any amendment that further erodes the estate tax.

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IRS Stepping it Up!

Mar 31, 2009 by Adam Hughes*

BNA reported (sorry, no link) last night that the IRS is set to step up its enforcement of the tax code by hiring additional revenue agents and officers. While you might not like the IRS, this is great news for starting to chip away at the $345 billion annual tax gap. Deputy Commission for Services and Enforcement Linda Stiff gives more details.

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BREAKING: New FOIA Memo Released During Sunshine Week

Mar 19, 2009 by Roger Strother*

The Obama Administration has approved a new set of guidelines concerning implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.  This memo replaces the aging Ashcroft memo and its antiquated transparency principles.  In fulfillment of President Obama’s Jan. 21 order, the DOJ has acted with impressive speed and emphasis - this memo shows great promise for government openness and the public’s ability to access government information.

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Editorials on the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act

Mar 17, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

Editorials have appeared in newspapers around the country calling on the Senate to pass the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act.

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TRI Fix is Already Here

Mar 17, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin immediately implementing the restored rules for companies to report toxic pollution through the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). According to an announcement on the EPA website, "These changes affect TRI reports due July 1, 2009," thus covering toxic release data from 2008.

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You Are My Sunshine (week)

Mar 13, 2009 by Roger Strother*

Each March, individuals and organizations from across the country come together to celebrate the birthday of James Madison and his commitment to an open and accountable government.  Events during the week occur across the country and are free to attend; they officially kick-off Sunday, March 15 and end on Friday, March 20.

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EPA proposes greenhouse gas registry – A first step for climate policy

Mar 11, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*

On March 10 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will propose a new rule to require greenhouse gas emissions reporting from thousands of businesses nationwide – a prerequisite for any effective climate change program. A greenhouse gas registry is a database for collecting, verifying, and tracking emissions from specific industrial sources.

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Bulk Data Downloads Passed in Omnibus Spending Bill

Mar 11, 2009 by Roger Strother*

By passing the Omnibus Spending Bill, Congress has made further inroads to reaching a 21st Century level of transparency.  Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) inserted a measure directing Congress and its affiliated components to make raw data available to the public.  Raw data feeds are the building blocks that programmers use to create mashups that bring various information sources together.

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