Public Data Show Chemicals in Tap Water

Dec 20, 2005 by Guest Blogger

So what's in your water? The Environmental Working Group knows: Drinking water may have a lot more in it than just H20 and fluoride, according to an environmental group's analysis of records in 42 states. A survey by the Environmental Working Group released on Tuesday found 141 unregulated chemicals and an additional 119 for which the Environmental Protection Agency has set health-based limits. Most common among the chemicals found were disinfection byproducts, nitrates, chloroform, barium, arsenic and copper.

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Deadline Extension for Comments

Download OMB's notice extending the deadline for comments from 12/23 to 1/9.Download OMB's notice extending the deadline for comments from 12/23 to 1/9.

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Details of Cuts in Final Budget Reconciliation Bill

Dec 20, 2005 by Adam Hughes*

Below is a list of cuts in the budget reconciliation bill currently being debated on the Senate floor:
  • Medicaid: Low-income families will have to pay more than they can afford for medical care under Medicaid and face shrinking benefits.
  • SSI: People with disabilities will have to wait as long as a year to receive the back SSI benefits they are owed because the government has taken so long to approve their application.

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Sen. Chambliss Calls Agricultural Cuts "Neither Balanced Nor Fair"

Dec 20, 2005 by Adam Hughes*

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is speaking on the Senate floor right now, calling the final agreement on cuts in the bill from the agricultural committee "neither balanced nor fair." Chambliss applauded GOP leaders for keeping cuts to food stamps out of the final bill but believes the rest of the cuts to agricultural programs will hurt farmers and America in the long run. Chambliss still plans to support the final bill.

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Pension Premiums Raised in Budget Conference Report

Dec 20, 2005 by Guest Blogger

The House-approved budget bill -- which the Senate will soon vote on -- contains a measure raising federal pension insurance premiums that employers pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's (PBGC) single-employer insurance program. If the Senate passes this bill, the rates will increase from $19 to $30 per participant, starting in 2006. These rates have not increased since 1991. Managers of mulit-employer pension plans will also see rates rise from $2.60 to $8.00 per participant. These rates have not increased since 1988.

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Culmination of Year-Long Budget Battle in Senate Today

Dec 20, 2005 by Adam Hughes*

The Senate is expected to vote later today on a $39.7 billion dollar budget cuts bill. The vote is still not a done deal with a few possible procedural challenges under the "Byrd Rule" because of a provision concerning the Milk Income Loss Contract program and possible challenges due to welfare language. Even if those challenges fail, most are expecting an extremely close vote, with the possibility of Vice President Cheney breaking a 50-50 tie. We'll be updating and posting developments from the Senate throughout the day today. Check back often for the latest information and news.

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Happy Holiday Gift from the White House

Dec 19, 2005 by Guest Blogger

... although it's more like the package that turns out to be a sweater or some pairs of socks: the White House has announced an extension of the deadline for public comments on the proposed bulletin on "good guidance practices". Comments were due at the end of this week, but now they aren't due until Jan. 9. Here's the notice of the extension.

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UPDATE: House Passes Budget Reconciliation Minus ANWR

Dec 19, 2005 by Adam Hughes*

The House passed the budget reconciliation bill early this morning (around 6:00 am) by a vote of 212 - 206. Nine Republicans opposed the bill along with all Democrats who voted. There were 10 Republicans and 6 Democrats who did not vote. In addition, there were 6 Republicans who opposed the House version of the cuts in this bill in November but supported the amended cuts this time.

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Congress Clears Katrina Tax Package

Dec 19, 2005 by Guest Blogger

On Friday, the House and Senate approved by unanimous consent a package of tax breaks (H.R. 4440) that are meant to help individuals and businesses in the Gulf Coast region. The Senate accepted the House's decision to exclude casino's and liquor stores from the tax measure, which provides a bonus depreciation deduction for property in the Gulf, as well as a carryback of net operating losses. Thte Joint Committee on Taxation scored the cost of the bill at about $7.8 billion over five years.

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Guidance v. Blindness: Another Example

Dec 19, 2005 by Guest Blogger

BNA's Daily Report for Executives is reporting on two OSHA standards interpretations just posted this month that address employer responsibilities for asbestos and bloodborne pathogens: Peggy Teeling of Clifton Park, N.Y., asked OSHA what an employer's obligation is to an asbestos worker who quits and moves to another job. Teeling wanted to know if the employee is entitled to the "actual full report" of the examination conducted under the medical surveillance program for asbestos, or whether a clearance or summary report would be acceptable.

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