Peter Overby http://kazu.org en IRS Hearings Highlight Ambiguity Of Nonprofits In Politics http://kazu.org/post/irs-hearings-highlight-ambiguity-nonprofits-politics Transcript <p>SCOTT SIMON, HOST: <p>This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News, I'm Scott Simon. In the two weeks since the Internal Revenue Service scandal erupted, the acting commissioner has been ousted, the head of the relevant section has been put on administrative leave. Sat, 25 May 2013 11:02:00 +0000 Peter Overby 27141 at http://kazu.org IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members http://kazu.org/post/irs-officials-silence-riles-house-committee-members Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>The IRS has admitted to targeting conservative groups seeking tax exempt status. And yesterday at a House hearing the IRS director of exempt organizations said, quote: "I have not done anything wrong." She then declined to testify. Thu, 23 May 2013 08:38:00 +0000 Peter Overby 27011 at http://kazu.org Battle Lines Harden In Debate Over Blame For IRS Controversy http://kazu.org/post/battle-lines-harden-debate-over-blame-irs-controversy Transcript <p>LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: <p>Lawmakers are demanding to know what went wrong and who is to blame at the IRS. Two Senate committees held hearings yesterday on the agency's aggressive handling of applications from conservative groups who were seeking tax-exemption. A top IRS official facing a House committee, today, intends to invoke her Fifth Amendment right not to testify. NPR's Peter Overby reports.<p>PETER OVERBY, BYLINE: Lois Lerner heads up the section on tax-exempt organizations. Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:00 +0000 Peter Overby 26973 at http://kazu.org Some Lawmakers Want Big-Budget Groups Included In IRS Debate http://kazu.org/post/some-lawmakers-want-big-budget-groups-included-irs-debate <p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l2s_q_kfrU</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdYjp8-RMwA</p> Thu, 16 May 2013 21:45:00 +0000 Peter Overby 26737 at http://kazu.org Why Lobbying Is Now Increasingly In The Shadows http://kazu.org/post/why-lobbying-now-increasingly-shadows While ideological gridlock continues to immobilize Capitol Hill, another of Washington's institutions is morphing behind the scenes.<p>The lobbying industry is becoming more secretive — reversing a trend that dates back to the 1990s. And campaign money now looms ever larger as a critical element in the persuasion business.<p>Ever since Congress strengthened the lobbying disclosure laws in 1995, most lobbyists have routinely registered and filed their quarterly disclosures of clients, issues and fees. Fri, 03 May 2013 07:24:00 +0000 Peter Overby 26083 at http://kazu.org Why Lobbying Is Now Increasingly In The Shadows