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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Public Demands Answers on Executive Branch Transparency
OMB Watch recently conducted an informal survey asking people to identify questions they would like to ask candidates for federal office. The survey focused on questions related to government transparency.
After more than two thousand people responded to the survey, the results are in. Responses show that, more than anywhere else, Americans want greater transparency in the Executive Branch, particularly the White House.
Based on the survey, here are the top five questions we hope voter groups, media outlets, and the general public will ask candidates:
1) Manipulation of Facts
Concerns have been raised about possible manipulation of information produced by agencies and the influence of the White House over agency decisions. Do you support disclosure of all communications between the White House (including the Office of Management and Budget and other executive offices) and agencies regarding administrative decision-making and information disclosure?
2) Executive Privilege
What do you believe are the appropriate limits of executive privilege in the disclosure of information to Congress and the public?
3) Whistleblowers
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley law, only corporate whistleblowers revealing financial abuses are protected. In order to strengthen accountability against corporate crimes, would you support pending legislation that expands whistleblower protection rights to private sector workers who report violations of any federal public health and safety laws?
4) Presidential Records
Executive Order 13233 limits access to presidential records under the Presidential Records Act by giving former presidents the power to effectively veto the release of their records. Do you commit to reversing Executive Order 13233 to restore public access to presidential records after twelve years?
5) Health, Safety & Environment
Given the importance of health and safety information, how would you ensure that the public has easy access to understandable information about the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the products they use?
"These top questions provide the tools to gauge where the candidates fall on the openness-secrecy spectrum," said Sean Moulton, OMB Watch's Director of Federal Information Policy.
The list of questions for candidates is part of OMB Watch's 21st Century Right to Know Project which has the end goal of developing open government policy recommendations for the next White House and Congress.
Posted by Matt Madia
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