Citizen Health & Safety

Improving the Use of Science in Government

Jun 4, 2008 by Matthew Madia

The Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy at the George Washington University is looking for government scientists to participate in a project which will allow for better understanding of how science is used in policymaking and how the process can be improved:

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Climate Bill Should Reserve Rights for State Efforts, Group Says

Jun 4, 2008 by Matthew Madia

The Center for Progressive Reform (CPR) has a new paper that cautions against federal climate change legislation that would preempt the efforts of state and local governments to stem greenhouse gas emissions. The paper states, "Federal climate change legislation must reflect the longstanding principle that federal regulation is the 'floor' upon which more stringent state regulation may be built."

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Analysis of White House Memo on Midnight Regulations

Jun 2, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Saturday's New York Times has an article about the White House's new policy setting deadlines for any regulations agencies intend to finalize during the Bush administration. The policy, outlined in a memo sent by Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, says, "Except in extraordinary circumstances, regulations to be finalized in this Administration should be proposed no later than June 1, 2008, and final regulations should be issued no later than November 1, 2008."

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New Book on Environmental Policy

May 30, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Two MIT professors, Nicholas A. Ashford and Charles C. Caldart, have just written a book called Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics. From the summary:

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Controversial Medicaid Rule Nixed by Court

May 30, 2008 by Matthew Madia

A federal court has sent back (vacated and remanded, in regulatory-speak) to the Bush administration a rule aimed to limit government reimbursement for Medicaid providers. The rule is one of several the administration is attempting to codify in an effort to undermine the entire Medicaid program. The process by which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the rule was particularly sneaky, even by Bush administration standards. A New York Times editorial explains:

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FDA Delays Creation of Food Safety Database

May 29, 2008 by Matthew Madia

According to Congress Daily reporter Anna Edney, "The Food and Drug Administration will not meet the September deadline that Congress imposed last year to have a registry up and running to help the agency track food contamination and better understand where to focus its limited resources." The deadline was set in a bill passed last September that aimed to reform FDA's drug safety regime but also contained provisions to enhance food safety.

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For Bush-Era Regulations, the Clock Is Ticking

In a memorandum to regulatory agencies, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten has set a Nov. 1 deadline for any new regulations agencies wish to finalize by the end of the Bush administration. The memo will shape the work of White House officials and federal agency heads as they consider which regulations to push through in the coming months, with an eye toward securing an administrative legacy for President Bush.

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White House Involved in EPA's California Waiver Decision

A report released May 19 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform concluded the White House improperly intervened in a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny California's request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act. The waiver would have allowed the state to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles. In denying the waiver, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson went against the recommendation of EPA staff, who concluded there was no legal or scientific basis to deny the waiver.

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Krill Protection Rule Clears White House

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to prohibit fishing for krill, an important species in the marine ecosystem, in U.S. waters. The proposed rule comes after NOAA responded to objections from the White House.

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Krill Rule Clears White House, Opens for Comment

May 23, 2008 by Matthew Madia

On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed a rule to ban the harvest of krill in U.S. waters off the west coast. Krill are small shrimp-like crustaceans abundant in the Pacific Ocean. They are a vital link in the marine food chain and serve as a food source for a variety of marine animals including whales, salmon and some sea birds.

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