Open, Accountable Government

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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more news

Government Transparency and You

In this video, OMB Watch Executive Director Gary D. Bass explores current opportunities to dramatically improve government transparency in the United States. Bass notes that the Obama administration, the general public, and government openness advocates from across the political spectrum will have to come together like never before to overcome three major hurdles that are keeping the federal government from reaching its full transparency potential: policy, technology, and a culture of secrecy within agencies.

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The Toxics Release Inventory is Back

On March 11, President Barack Obama signed into law a restoration of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), reversing changes made by the Bush administration that had weakened the program. The measure was included deep within the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 and restored the rules that existed before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) weakened them in December 2006.

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New FOIA Memo, Hot Off the Press

On March 19, the Obama administration issued a new set of guidelines to federal agencies on implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), replacing Bush-era rules that many thought promoted a culture of secrecy in government. Written by Attorney General Eric Holder, the Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum outlines a spirit of transparency that reflects President Obama’s Jan. 21 assertion, "In the face of doubt, openness prevails."

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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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TRI Restored

Mar 11, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*

The weakening of the cornerstone of environmental right-to-know laws by former President Bush was finally reversed today. The omnibus spending bill signed by Obama includes language that restores the previous reporting rules for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the highly successful program that provides the public with information on pollution released in communities nationwide.

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