As most readers of Reg•Watch would agree, the regulatory system in the U.S. is in need of serious repair. News headlines consistently tell tales of contaminated food, dangerous workplaces, and an environment stressed by pollution and posing risks to public health and welfare. Too often, failure can be traced back to the government we entrust with providing us at least some protection from these risks. With that in mind, OMB Watch convened some of the brightest minds in the regulatory community to discuss the problems with the current system and ways of moving forward to improve it. In the end, 17 experts joined to author a final report presenting a consensus view on the reforms needed to create a regulatory system responsive to public need. The report recommends several time-sensitive reforms the authors believe President-Elect Obama and the 111th Congress should enact within their first 100 days. For ongoing reforms, the report identifies ways to: 1) ensure regulations are protective of the public; 2) ensure scientific and expert views are respected; 3) improve compliance with and enforcement of regulations; 4) make the regulatory process more transparent; and 5) provide better public access to decision makers. Click here to download the full report: Advancing the Public Interest Through Regulatory Reform: Recommendations for President-Elect Obama and the 111th Congress.