Political Interference

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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Revisiting Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure

Aug 12, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, who opposed the House passed climate change bill remains under attack for sending fake letters to House lawmakers. The firm sent out letters using the names of an N.A.A.C.P. chapter and a network of nonprofit organizations serving Latinos. Reportedly, more nonprofits' names were used including the American Association of University Women and the Jefferson Area Board for the Aging.

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New York Creates Panel to Target State Regulations

Aug 12, 2009 by Matthew Madia

On Friday, New York Governor David Patterson signed Executive Order 25 allowing political advisors to Patterson to review and recommend reform or repeal of existing state regulations and paperwork requirements.

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Former Lobbyist Missed the Cutoff to need an Ethics Waiver

Aug 10, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

Controversy still surrounds the rules covering executive branch hiring and former lobbyists who now work in the Obama administration. Three new U.S. Attorney nominations have been made including former Business Software Alliance lobbyist and aide to Vice President Joe Biden, Neil MacBride, for the Eastern District of Virignia. Reportedly, a waiver is not needed in this case.

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The Chemical Industry’s Change of Heart

Aug 10, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The chemical industry is supporting new rules to limit consumer exposure to toxic substances. Richard Denison of Environmental Defense called it “a radical departure” for an industry that usually battles against new regulation, according to The Washington Post.

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New State Hire Highlights Loophole in Revolving Door Rules

Aug 7, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

Robin Raphel has been hired by the State Department, but may either be exempt from the administration's new revolving door rules or require a waiver. Raphel was a senior vice president for Cassidy and Associates since 2007.

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Coming Soon: TARP Lobbying Rules

Aug 7, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

According to The Hill, the Treasury Department is waiting for the administration's approval before finalizing restrictions on lobbying for Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funding, only ten months after the program began.

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Sunstein Nomination Will Have to Wait

Aug 6, 2009 by Matthew Madia

It’s all but certain that Cass Sunstein, President Obama's pick to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), will not be confirmed before the Senate recesses tonight or tomorrow. According to Congress Daily (subscription), Senate leaders will try to bring up votes on a few noncontroversial nominees, and Sunstein won’t be one of them.

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TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

Aug 5, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*

A controversial natural gas drilling technique is suspected of contaminating drinking water across the country, but more research cannot be done because the drilling companies won't disclose what toxic chemicals they are pumping into the ground. Congress is now considering legislation that would force drillers to disclose what chemicals they are using, but it needs our support against Big Oil and Gas.

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A Case for Disclosure?

Aug 3, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

The Washington Post follows up on an interesting case revealed last week. An employee of a lobbying firm forged a letter from a Latino social service group to Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA), urging him to make changes in a bill capping greenhouse-gas emissions. Reportedly, the firm found out about the issue and promptly fired the employee. The letter used the letterhead of Creciendo Juntos, and asked Perriello to add "pro-consumer" changes to the bill.

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