Editor’s Note: One of CRE’s regulatory objectives is to restore OIRA’s staff level to its original level of 90.
From: RegBlog | Penn Program on Regulation
My topic deals not with the substance of regulations, but with those who process them.
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Let me lay before you another problem, one that John DiIulio labels “Leviathan by Proxy.” John has a killer chart on the cover of his book that shows that since 1960, annual federal spending has increased fivefold, but the number of federal civilian workers has remained flat at 1.8 million. Essential agencies like the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs have suffered a significant shrinking of management personnel. In addition, during this period numerous large agencies, like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, were created, as were new assignments, like implementation of the Affordable Care Act, without any increase in employment. How is this possible, you ask? Well, contractors fill the gap. [Emphasis added]