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By Henry Lamb March 31, 2008 Page 2 of 2 The continuing expansion of freedom-eroding rules and regulations is hard evidence of the power of these PPPs. This self-serving circle of influence has existed too long. It is way past time for elected officials to muster the backbone to bring this process to a screeching halt. Congress should lead the way by enacting legislation that will require every such Public/Private Partnership to be a written agreement that sets forth the obligations of both parties. The PPP agreement should be made public, with full disclosure of funds, and the names of individuals who are on the public payroll and who are also members of the organization that receives federal funds. No federal funds should be used for membership fees for federal employees who choose to become members of these organizations. Every PPP should be specifically approved by the appropriate oversight committee of the legislative body that provides the funding. Every PPP should be time-limited to no more than four years, with a full review of public benefits published before renewal. Additionally, records of every grant to every not-for-profit organization should be made readily available to the public. While there are currently existing laws that require full disclosure, government agencies have been able to avoid making this information easily available. The Office of Management and Budget has been working to improve the situation, but there is no excuse for the delay in this age of instant communication. The State of Arizona has introduced legislation that will require reform of the PPP process. All states should introduce similar legislation. If there were ever a situation where the inmates run the asylum, the current PPP system is it. The very agencies that administer the rules, make the rules, and use tax dollars to create, fund, and join the not-for-profit organizations that influence the legislators to adopt the laws that expand the organizations' power to make and administer even more rules.
--- Henry Lamb is the Chairman of Sovereignty International , and founder of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO). -------------------- Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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