Watcher: March 21, 2006

Senate Approves Disappointing Budget Resolution Income Inequality has Intensified Under Bush White House Continues False Rhetoric Around Tax Cuts House Passes Yet Another "Emergency" War Funding Bill

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Latest Watcher

Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles this time: PRA Hearing Features Industry Anti-Reg Wish List

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FBI Used Anti-Terrorism Powers to Target Peace Group

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released documents on March 14, 2006 that document FBI surveillance and investigation of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice in Pittsburgh, PA, carried out because the group "has been determined to be an organization which is opposed to the United States' war with Iraq." This appears to be the first evidence that the FBI is using the viewpoint and activism of a U.S. nonprofit as a basis for investigation by the local Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

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Questions Raised About IRS Enforcement Program

Complaints filed by two nonprofits illustrate the potential for abuse inherent in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) reliance on referrals from the public for leads in its enforcement programs.

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PRA Hearing Features Industry Anti-Reg Wish List

Testimony in a House hearing on the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) revealed industry groups' intentions of using PRA reauthorization to push an anti-regulatory agenda.

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Lobby Reform: A Bill in the House, While the Senate Moves Toward Vote

Heading into the week long St. Patrick's Day recess, the House Republican leadership has formally introduced a lobbying and ethics reform bill, while the Senate has scheduled a vote for March 27. While both chambers are finally moving legislation, it is increasingly unclear what new rules will eventually be enacted, and whether they will change business as usual in Washington.

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Income Inequality Has Intensified Under Bush

Though the Bush administration continues to laud the strength of the economy and the success of its economic and tax policies, a large percentage of Americans are continuing to struggle to make ends meet as income growth has become increasingly concentrated at the top of the income scale. Income inequality, in fact, is at an all-time high, illustrating that current tax, budget, and wage and employment policies are all not working in favor of average American families.

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House Passes Yet Another "Emergency" War Funding Bill

Before departing for a week-long St. Patrick's Day recess, Congress succeeded in further mangling the fiscal state of the nation. The House passed a costly emergency supplemental bill, while the Senate approved a misguided budget resolution. At the same time, both chambers approved an increase to the nation's debt limit to pay for their fiscal decisions. The $92 billion emergency supplemental measure passed by the House will significantly increase current deficits and do so by circumventing standard budget procedures.

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Sunshine Week Marked by National Discussion, News Coverage

The public is growing weary and distrustful of burgeoning government secrecy--that's the message brought to the public last week during Sunshine Week (March 12-18th), an effort by the media, civic groups, libraries, universities and others to highlight the importance of open government.

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Background on IRS Political Activities Compliance Program

Since the 2004 election the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stepped up its enforcement of the ban on partisan electoral activity by charities and religious organizations. The result has been controversial audits, questions about the standards used to decide when to investigate and the procedures used and new guidance from the IRS. This article provides summaries and links to more infomration. Background: Update: Aug. 31, 2006: IRS Drops Case Against NAACP. See our press statement

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