CongressLine by GalleryWatch.com: Lobbying and Ethics Rules
This month Paul Jenks provides readers with a copy of a recent CRS report, Lobbying Law and Ethics Rules Changes in the 110th Congress.
Category «Government Resources»
FOIA Facts – FOIA Litigation: When A Loss Isn’t Always A Loss
According to Scott A. Hodes, bringing a FOIA case often results in a more timely release of information, more information being released then the agency would have released if it wasn’t in litigation and more information going to the requester about agency decisions and withheld documents.
The Government Domain: Click-and-Print State Profiles
Various federal government agencies make canned “state profiles,” tables of data for a specific state, available on their sites. These tables are quick and easy, and Peggy Garvin demonstrates how to find them.
The Government Domain: Back to School for Constitution Day 2007
For librarians and educators planning programs for Constitution Day, Peggy Garvin’s column links to a variety of web resources for online versions of the United States Constitution and related teaching materials.
CongressLine by Gallerywatch.com: Votes and Whips
Paul Jenks explains voting, a finely orchestrated legislative process that is full of arcane and ancient precedents and many mechanisms to get around the rules.
The Government Domain: Tracking Federal Dollars
Peggy Garvin reviews the strengths, weaknesses and range of source material offered by several free online federal contracts and awards information databases.
FOIA Facts: Are Ombudsman The Answer?
Scott A. Hodes maintains that there are pros and cons to setting up an ombudsman’s office, and the overall scheme may not be the answer in resolving the number of disputes that arise in the disclosure of public records.
FOIA Facts: Suggestions for FOIA Amendments
Scott A. Hodes recommends four substantive ways in which agency accountability will lead to more effective and efficient processing of FOIA requests.
Commentary: The Real Costs of America’s Nuclear Power Program and the Impact on Global Climate Change
Beth Wellington reviews the administration’s position on FY 2008 funding for nuclear power programs, as well as the impact of these programs on climate change.
GAO Releases Database of Comptroller General Decisions
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has for the first time released a massive two-part compilation of Comptroller General decisions and opinions that are included in two Excel spreadsheets. The first spreadsheet contains decisions from 1990 through present The second spreadsheet contains decisions prior to 1990. Michael Ravnitzky reports the details.