According to a McClatchy Newspapers story; "Last week's ruling banning partial-birth abortions, revealed it. Coming up next, campaign reform will further clarify how President Bush's conservative appointments and the departure of former Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor have reshaped the court." Oral arguments in the Wisconsin Right to Life (WRTL) case will be heard this week, and expectantly, many are attempting predictions in light of the new court in Justice O'Conner's absence. And somehow last week's partial birth abortion ban foretells this changing court that may benefit WRTL.

The Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act, S.223, was all set for quick passage with approval out of committee and bipartisan support, until yesterday when a secret hold was placed on the bill. Senator Feinstein has commented; "This is exactly the type of good-government law that the Senate could adopt as a stand alone measure." And yet Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) requested the block on behalf of an unidentified Republican senator. The bill in question would require electronic filing of financial disclosure reports by Senate campaigns.

Since the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) tax exempt organizations that gross $25,000 or less will be required to annually file electronically Form 990-N, also called the e-Postcard. Starting in 2008, this filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to mail educational letters beginning in July 2007 to the small organizations that may now have to file the e-Postcard. Changes to the 2006 Forms 990 and 990-EZ and Schedule A were discussed in Phone Forums in March. For more information visit the IRS website.