Publications :  The Watcher :  OMB Watcher Vol. 5: 2004 :  December 14, 2004 Vol.5, No.25 : 

In This Issue

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Saving Graces on Intelligence Reform Bill (12/14/2004)
In a surprising move, congressional and White House negotiators agreed on intelligence reform legislation that created no major victories for the public interest but could have been much worse for open government and environmental protection near the nation’s borders.

Bush Plans Economy, Tax Summit Dec. 15-16 (12/13/2004)
The White House will host a two-day summit in Washington, DC, to gather expert opinions on a variety of topics related to the economy, including budget and tax reform, Social Security, extending expiring tax cuts and health care. The Dec. 15-16 summit will solicit input from the business community, including small businesses.

Bush Signs Bill Extending Internet Tax Moratorium (12/13/2004)
On Dec. 3, President Bush signed the Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act (S. 150), extending a moratorium on all taxation of Internet access and certain aspects of related electronic commerce through 2007. The bill is a result of a multi-year struggle over policy related to taxing Internet access and the development of broadband services across the United States.

Economy and Jobs Watch: November Numbers Still Lag Behind Need (12/13/2004)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics November Job Report shows a continuing disappointing trend in employment as the nation’s employers added 112,000 jobs in November, far below analyst projections of least 200,000 jobs. This report is a bit of a surprise after the October report showed a strong month with 303,000 jobs added. The 112,000 jobs, about what was added in September this year, is below the approximately 140,000 jobs per month necessary to keep pace with new workers entering the workforce.

New York Joins States Raising Minimum Wage (12/13/2004)
As the New York Daily News reported last Wednesday, nearly one million New Yorkers work full-time jobs, year round, for poverty level wages. A new New York law may help change conditions for some of these people as New York joined the growing list of states requiring that their workers be paid a minimum wage higher than the level set by the federal government, which is $5.15 an hour.

Wealthy Congressmen Support Estate Tax (12/13/2004)
The estate tax, one of the most progressive tax policies in America, only currently affects the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Yet contrary to personal self interest, many members of Congress are not basing their position on the issue on their own pocketbooks. In his recent article in Tax Notes, Martin Sullivan made the ironic observation that on average, the more wealthy members of Congress, many of whom would be substantially taxed under the estate tax, are fighting the Bush administration’s attempts at repeal.

Congress Strips Offending Tax Provision, Passes Omnibus Bill (12/13/2004)
Last week Congress reconvened for a second lame duck session. They succeeded in stripping controversial tax language from the bill and on Dec. 8 the President finally signed it, officially bringing the much delayed FY 2005 appropriations process to a close. The omnibus bill combines nine appropriations bills Congress was unable to finish working on before the end of the fiscal year, along with thousands of provisions and riders.

DHS Pushes Secrecy on the Hill (12/13/2004)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been strongly criticized for its overuse of secrecy and lack of transparency, is now pushing to lock down information among congressional offices. DHS officials have asked congressional aides to sign nondisclosure agreements that would prohibit them from publicly disclosing information from DHS even though the information is unclassified.

Center Sues FERC Over Restricted Energy Information (12/13/2004)
The Center for Public Integrity (CPI) has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), claiming the agency illegally blocked access to documents relating to liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities throughout the country.

Sage Grouse Recommendation Follows Data Quality Challenge (12/13/2004)
A data quality challenge recently filed by an industry group may have influenced government officials’ recommendation that the greater sage grouse not be listed as an endangered species. The Partnership for the West is a coalition of organizations, which support a largely anti-environment agenda and receive support from corporations like Dow Chemical.

Reclamation Officials Withhold Dam Safety Information (12/13/2004)
The Bureau of Reclamation refuses to disclose safety details about the Jackson Lake Dam to a county official trying to verify his county is out of harm’s way. The Teton County Commissioner, Bill Paddleford, wants the information as part of the area’s emergency planning, which includes the city of Jackson.

AU Sues to Block Funding for California Missions (12/13/2004)
On Dec. 2, Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) filed a lawsuit in federal court to block taxpayer funding for restoration of mission churches in California. The suit charges that the recently passed “California Missions Preservation Act” is tantamount to taxpayer-supported religion.

ACLU Files Info Request on Government Spying on Nonprofits (12/13/2004)
The Dec. 1 issue of USA Today reports the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed Freedom of Information Act requests to learn the extent of “surveillance, questioning and interrogation” of people associated with activist groups and individuals traveling to and from the Middle East. The request focuses on the activities of anti-terrorist task forces in ten states, including Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas.

Law Symposium Exposes Weaknesses of Anti-Terrorist Guidelines for Nonprofits (12/13/2004)
A recent Pace Law Review Symposium, “Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: The Impact on International Philanthropy,” highlighted the need for changes in the government guidelines and increased transparency of the reasons behind government decisions to shut down several Muslim charities accused of financing terrorists. The U.S. Treasury Department published the guidelines, which have been widely criticized, in November 2002. Speakers at the symposium said the current situation has lead to a decrease in international philanthropy, inappropriate application of the guidelines, a perception of ethnic discrimination against Muslim organizations and shut down of several charities with no terrorist-related convictions. A Treasury official acknowledged problems and said the department is working with the sector to revise the guidelines. See summary.

Nonprofit Accountability Update (12/13/2004)
Reports of financial scandals and the emergence of many new nonprofits have increased scrutiny of the nonprofit sector. The Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees both held hearings in June that put nonprofits under the spotlight, and more congressional oversight activity is planned. Moreover, calls for greater nonprofit accountability are coming not only from the federal government, but also from state legislatures.

Civic Engagement Conference Summary-Return the Charity to the Citizen! (12/13/2004)
The National Conference on Citizenship, held Dec. 3 in Washington, DC, examined the role of citizenship in the post-9/11 world. The conference provided a forum to discuss the important role nonprofits play in encouraging citizenship. Read more for a summary of points made at the conference.

Superfund Lacks Funds to Cleanup Toxic Waste Sites (12/13/2004)
Facing an increasing backlog of sites with the same meager budget, the Superfund program administrator thinks he’s found a new way to tackle the country’s most severe hazardous waste problems: Stop addressing them.

Panel Nixes Endangered Species Status After Politico Bashes Science (12/13/2004)
A panel of Fish and Wildlife Service officials has recommended against granting Endangered Species Act protections to the greater sage grouse, based on source materials that included scientific assessments from federal biologists and a critique of that science from a political appointee with no background at all in biology.

FCC Rigs Cost-Benefit Report to Side With Industry on Cable A La Carte (12/13/2004)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sided with the cable and big media industries against regulation mandating à la carte cable service, justifying its position with a cost-benefit analysis rigged against à la carte options.

Food Supply Called 'Easy' Target for Terrorists (12/13/2004)
The Food and Drug Administration’s response to bioterrorism has done little to protect our food supply, prompting even the outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services to show concern.

Rocket Fuel Ingredient Ignites Controversy (12/13/2004)
Perchlorate, a key ingredient in rocket fuel that is associated with developmental delays, can be found in lettuce from Florida, bottled water from California, and organic milk from Maryland, according to initial data from the Food and Drug Administration.

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