Publications

EPA Releases Final ECHO Database

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed the pilot phase of its Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website. EPA finalized the site after reviewing extensive feedback received on the pilot version from the general public, public interest groups, government users, trade associations and regulated entities.

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Texas Attorney General's Ruling Undermines Public Access

On Oct. 6 the Texas Attorney General rejected the Sunshine Project’s request for access to University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) records under the Texas Public Information Act. This decision prohibits the public from accessing information regarding human health and environmental damages that might result from IBC's research on biological weapons agents. The Sunshine Project has been seeking information on the committee’s membership, policies, meetings and decisions for over a year.

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Administration Lifts Restrictions for Dumping Mining Waste

The Bush administration recently announced it is ending a Clinton-era policy that restricted the amount of public land mining companies can use for dumping waste.

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Whistleblower Says OSHA Blocked Testing of Inspectors Exposed to Toxic Metal

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has refused to provide blood tests to 500 current and former inspectors who may have been exposed to beryllium, a highly toxic metal, despite recommendations from scientific and medical staff, according to an agency regional administrator.

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Administration Issues Watered-Down Food Import Rules

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued watered-down standards requiring food importers to provide advanced notice of shipments bound for the United States. The standards were mandated by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which was passed in response to concerns about terrorist attacks on the nation’s food supply.

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The Estate Tax and Charitable Giving: State-by-State Analysis

Research has shown that eliminating the estate tax would have a significant negative impact on giving to charitable organizations. Using state-level data on charitable revenue, this report estimates the state-by-state loss in charitable giving that would result from a full elimination of the estate tax.

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The Deficit As a Serious Problem

Like the Reagan administration, the Bush administration continues to describe the budget deficit as a manageable problem and presents a rosy picture in which deficits will soon diminish. But like the Reagan administration these comments are far from reality.

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Jobs Picture Still Not Looking Good

On Friday, the Bush administration received what initially appeared to be good news on the economic front with its monthly release on employment. In September, the unemployment rate was unchanged from August at 6.1%, and there was a net gain of 57,000 jobs. The good news was that this was the first net gain in jobs in seven months. However, the jobs data continue to indicate that, in all likelihood, the Bush administration will likely be the first since Hoover’s to have a net job contraction during its tenure.

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OMB Watch Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary by Honoring Public Interest Heroes

OMB Watch celebrates its 20th Anniversary on October 9, 2003. In honor of our banner year event, the board of directors and staff have established two recognition efforts. The Public Interest Hall of Fame recognizes 12 "unsung heroes" whose everyday work makes a difference in pursuing government accountability, citizen participation or social justice. These were selected from more than 70 nominations. The Public Interest Rising Star Award acknowledges the outstanding, dedicated work of three younger leaders and encourages their continued participation in the public interest.

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Suit Challenges Secret Service Protest Zones

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing four national advocacy groups, filed a federal suit against the Secret Service on Sept. 23.

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