Federal Daily - July 1, 2009

NTEU Endorses IRS, SEC Funding Increases In Appropriations Bill

A House subcommittee marked up the FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill to include a 5 percent increase in funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The boost—according to advocates, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents agency employees—will bring in critically needed additional tax revenue. “Investing in enforcement operations at the IRS will result in additional tax revenue with an average return on investment of $5 for every $1 spent,” said NTEU President Kelley. “Over the past decade, the IRS has experienced a significant increase in the number and complexity of tax returns, while enforcement staffing declined by as much as 30 percent since 1995.”  Kelley applauded the Obama administration’s proposal for a jump in IRS funding next year—most notably, to shore up spending to support enforcement of the federal tax laws. The administration is pressing for $12.1 billion for IRS in fiscal 2010, a rise of about $600 million from $11.5 billion this fiscal year. “We believe the president’s request will allow the IRS to continue providing taxpayers with top-quality service and will assist efforts to enhance taxpayer compliance and close the tax gap,” Kelly added.  Kelly’s testimony was delivered to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.  For more, see www.nteu.org.

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Declassification Forum Inviting Online Comment

An ongoing White House internet forum and blog this week is issuing a renewed call for comment from the public and persons in the federal community on the subject of declassification.  The online space—called the Declassification Policy Forum—is seeking opinion on the handling of classified national security information,  especially in the wake of an official order calling for a review of excecutive order 12958 (“Classified National Security Information”) The effort is being conducted by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB)—an advisory committee established to promote the “fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities,” according to a White House release. The blog collects and publishes comments for discussion—and for forwarding to officials in the administration for consideration during the 90-day review period for the executive order. In addition, on July 8, the PIDB will hold a public event at the National Archives, in order “to discuss the revisions and solicit public comment,” the release said. For more, go to: www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Declassification-Policy-Forum-Introduction/

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