Eye on Corporate Espionage
“A bizarre web of legal cases involving corporate spying and one of Washington, D.C.’s top lobbying firms has piqued the curiosity of a Congressional committee that has broad oversight powers.” A current inquiry could result in “possibly exposing more details about a matter already filled with plenty of intrigue and putting a lobbying firm in the unenviable situation of going under the Congressional microscope.” (Roll Call)
CREW Files FEC Complaint Against Duncan Hunter’s PAC”
“CREW filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) against the leadership PAC for presidential candidate Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA). CREW claims that Rep. Hunter jumped the gun on his presidential campaign by running ads before he had registered as a presidential candidate.” (CREW)
FCC Cuts Study Finding 911 Flaws
“Satellite-based emergency 911 technology often can’t pinpoint the location of cellphone users dialing 911 from homes, offices, sports arenas and other indoor locations, a never-released report commissioned by the Federal Communications Commission concluded last year. The report’s author, Dale Hatfield, says the public never heard about his concerns because the FCC decided to terminate the study a few days later.” (USA Today)
Louisiana Governor Outraged Over Faulty Pumps
“Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco lashed out at the Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday for installing defective pumps at three major drainage canals just before the start of last summer’s hurricane season. The Corps installed the 34 pumps last year in a rush to fix the city’s flood defenses, despite warnings from one of its experts that the machinery was defective and likely to fail in a storm.” (Associated Press)
Lobbyists take in record amount in 2006
“Research by the Center for Responsive Politics found that companies, unions and other organizations spent a record amount to lobby in 2006, in spite of the black eye from the Jack Abramoff scandal and a midterm election that caused Congress to close early. In total, lobbyists received $2.45 billion last year to try to craft public policy.” (The Hill)
Army Pledges to Investigate Injured Troop Charge
“Top Army officials pledged during a Senate hearing Wednesday to investigate whether a brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division is dispatching injured troops to Iraq as part of the so-called surge into Baghdad, Iraq. Pete Geren, the acting Army secretary, told a Senate panel that the Army was troubled by such charges.” (Salon)
