Super-Rich Families Lurk In Estate Tax Repeal Shadows

Apr 26, 2006 by Adam Hughes*

United for a Fair Economy and Public Citizen released a new report unveiling the 18 mega-rich families who are the primary finacial influence behind the decades long effort to repeal the estate tax. As detailed in the report, Spending Millions to Save Billions, the families include the candy magnate Mars family, the Waltons - owners of Wal-Mart stores, the Gallo wine dynasty, the Kochs of Koch Industries and Dorrance family of the Campbell’s Soup Company. Together, they are worth a total of $185.5 billion and would save upwards of $71.6 billion if the tax was repealed.

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The President Who Cried Wolf?

Apr 26, 2006 by Adam Hughes*

The Senate voted today to smack down an attempt to cut spending from the 2006 emergency spending bill current under debate. An amendment offered by Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) that would have replaced the entire text of the $106.5 billion bill with President Bush's original $92.2 request was easily defeated 72 - 26.

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Sunlight Foundation Aims to Shed Light on Congress

Apr 26, 2006 by Guest Blogger

A Washington Post article on the Sunlight Foundation, a new nonprofit aiming to shed light on "on candidates' big donors and lobbying contacts, the foundation said in its promotional material that it hopes to "uncover" congressional "boondoggles" and give citizens "the power to root out corruption in Congress."

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Hearing Held on Christian Civic League's Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Apr 26, 2006 by Kay Guinane

From the James Madison Center:

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Coalition Sends Letter Opposing 527 Provision to House

Apr 26, 2006 by Guest Blogger

A group of organizations (OMB Watch included) recently signed a letter protesting the inclusion of a 527 provision in the House lobby reform bill. Click herefor the letter.

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527 Language Again in Lobby Reform Bill

Apr 26, 2006 by Guest Blogger

According to Roll Call: A measure to curb the independent political groups known as 527s will be included in the House version of a lobbying bill that is slated for a vote this week, senior GOP aides said Tuesday. The decision by House Republicans to include the off-again, on-again language promises to intensify an already charged partisan debate on ethics rules. It also sets up a clash with Senate Democrats, who have threatened to filibuster any package that includes the provision.

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Watchodogs Lobby Against Reform Bill

Apr 26, 2006 by Guest Blogger

WASHINGTON - APRIL 25 - Common Cause, Democracy 21 and Public Citizen on Tuesday urged House members to vote against the so-called lobby reform bill the House is expected to consider unless it is greatly strengthened on the House floor. The watchdog groups say the current form of the legislation is a pathetic response to the Abramoff lobbying scandal that does nothing to curb the 'anything goes' culture in Washington and cannot credibly be called reform. For more, please click here.

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Industry-Funded Scientists Flood FDA Advisory Panel

Apr 25, 2006 by Guest Blogger

A science advisory panel for FDA is scheduled to consider new labeling guidelines for blood pressure control drugs tomorrow. Yet, according to information compiled by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, three-fourths of the 12-member panel received conflict of interest waivers. Many of those conflicts of interest relate directly to the issues of drug labeling to be discussed by the panel.

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Estate Tax Report: Spending Millions to Save Billions

Apr 25, 2006 by Guest Blogger

United for a Fair Economy and Public Citizen released a report today called "Spending Millions to Save Billions: The Campaign of the Super Wealthy to Kill the Estate Tax." The report details the multimillion-dollar lobbying effort -- led by a handful of extremely wealthy families -- to repeal the estate tax. The groups issued a press release as well, saying:

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Many Not Pleased With Levels of Supplemental Spending

Apr 25, 2006 by Guest Blogger

The New York Times has a great article today highlighting some of the criticisms of supplemental spending, which has "ballooned over the last five years, driven first by the Sept. 11 attacks, followed by the war in Iraq and then by natural disasters including the tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina."

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