2015: A Record Year for Overregulation
According to an analysis released last week by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, 2015 was a record-setting year for federal regulation.
The Hill reported on this analysis, and observed that, “This year’s daily publication of the federal government’s rules, proposed rules and notices amounted to 81,611 pages as of Wednesday [December 30], higher than last year's 77,687 pages and higher than the all-time high of 81,405 pages in 2010 — with one day to go in 2015.”
Further, “…there have been 3,378 final rules and regulations among the pages of the Federal Register this year. Some of the major final rules included the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan and its Waters of the Unites States rule, as well as the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality order.” An additional 2,334 proposed rules were issued last year. This is on top of President Obama’s 29 executive orders and 31 executive memorandums.
Unfortunately, because Congress for decades has ceded its constitutional responsibility of making the law of the land to the Executive Branch, these rules are not subject to effective review by the elected representatives of the American people.
The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 427), which I have cosponsored and voted in favor of, would require Congress to take an up-or-down vote on “major rules” (those rules that have an annual economic impact of $100 million or more) within 70 legislative days. This would essentially guarantee major regulations would not become effective until approved by Congress.
Regrettably, the Senate has not acted to pass the REINS Act and force the veto President Obama has promised on this bill. The Senate must act in order to end this over-delegation that allows overregulation.
Weight Loss for Coal?
This is an interesting story. I am not suggesting we try this in the United States, nor am I citing it as good public policy. But I am fascinated by a recent Associated Press report detailing the promise of one Russian region’s governor to “…reward locals with 1.5 metric tons of coal for every 10 kilos lost.” According to the story, the governor has followed through with his promise, delivering a “truck full of the black stuff from authorities in the coal-rich region” to a Yelena Salnikova, a woman who had lost 30 kilos (66 pounds). She had weighed nearly 250 pounds before beginning her diet and exercise routine.
“This will save me up to 8,000 rubles ($100) if it's colder than -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) and will surely last for at least half the winter,” said Salnikova of her reward.
Interestingly, the Kemerovo region’s government has plans to turn this “slimming down for coal” program into a reality television show.
Under the President Obama-led United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, how can this be allowed? I hope it is obvious that I’m just having fun with this rather unusual story.
Serving You
With the holidays having come and gone, we are now approaching a time of less merriment – tax season, which is scheduled to begin on January 19.
Last year, as you may recall, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made available limited paper tax forms and free instruction booklets at your local library or your county’s Commissioner of Revenue. This was particularly troublesome for farmers who use the 1040 Schedule F form (the “Profit or Loss From Farming” form).
As of the writing of this column, we have yet to receive confirmation that limited forms and booklets will be available again this year. However, I would note ahead of time that IRS forms and instructions can be found at www.irs.gov to be downloaded and printed. If, like some in the Ninth District, you do not have Internet access, I would welcome you to contact my offices (see below) for assistance acquiring tax forms and instructions.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.
###
