Featured Articles

1

Public Supports Consumer and Environmental Protections, Polls Show

Americans overwhelmingly support government protection of the environment and consumers, a series of new polls shows. The findings come as efforts to enforce and expand regulation face increasingly hostile rhetoric from conservatives and industry representatives in Washington.

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2

EPA Seeks to Enhance Public Access to Chemical Data

Mountaintop The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed several changes to its regulation of chemicals that should improve the public's access to crucial information. The improved data collected under the proposed rule will help the agency and the public identify potential chemical risks and take action to manage those risks.

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3

Commentary: Federal Debt and Its Implications for Economic Stability

When the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produced a brief in late July on the nation’s debt levels and the risk they present to the economy, those pushing for immediate deficit reduction jumped on the report as evidence that the U.S. is about to go over a financial cliff. Upon closer inspection, though, the greatest threat facing the country is still the Great Recession and the lingering effects thereof.

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4

CREW Sues the Federal Election Commission over Case Dismissals

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Melanie Sloan, its executive director, recently filed a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for continually dismissing cases without providing information about the decisions. Those who file complaints with the FEC are often unable to legally challenge the commission's dismissal actions or obtain the reasons for the dismissals.

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On That Terrible, Nebulous Economic Environment That's Forestalling Hiring

You're Hired!

A few months ago, a cacophony of conservative voices began complaining about a hazy cloud of uncertainty looming on the economic horizon. Concerns over the Affordable Care Act, new regulations, and the possibility of new taxes, they claimed, explained continued high unemployment and a lagging recovery. Economist Dean Baker flags the latest example of this garbage meme in a Wall Street Journal article on the Obama administration's deliberations over new economic stimulus measures, and points out for the umpteenth time why it's wrong.

(Gary Therkildsen 09/02/10) Read More >>

Posting Federal Contracts Online: Let's Do It

OMB Watch supports a rule to post federal contracts online.
(Gavin Baker 09/02/10) Read More >>

Deficit Commission Chair Troubled by Vets, Retirees, "Lesser People"

National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (AKA "Deficit Commission") co-chair former senator Alan Simpson's latest outburst has betrayed his ignoble sensibilities and misguided priorities.
(Craig Jennings 09/01/10) Read More >>

Strong Coal Ash Rules Sought at Public Hearing

Witnesses from across the country yesterday urged the EPA to set strong public health standards for coal ash. In an all-day hearing in Arlington, VA, environmental and public health advocates and members of the general public asked EPA to regulate coal ash, a toxic byproduct of coal combustion that can contain arsenic, lead, and other toxics, as a hazardous waste.

(Matthew Madia 08/31/10) Read More >>

Waging War via PowerPoint

The NATO command in Afghanistan last week fired a staff officer for publicly criticizing the military's use of Microsoft's presentation software PowerPoint.

(Gavin Baker 08/31/10) Read More >>