OMB Watch
Encyclopedia
OMB Watch is a 501(3) nonprofit organization
based in Washington, D.C.
OMB Watch was formed by Gary Bass
in 1983 to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While OMB's actions were having an enormous impact on agency operations and the pursuit of social justice, OMB Watch believed that it remained largely behind the scenes, unaccountable, and little understood by the public and public interest groups.
and accountability; to ensure sound, equitable regulatory and budgetary processes and policies; and to protect and promote active citizen participation in the United States democracy.
OMB Watch's goal is to improve access to decision-makers and energize citizen participation.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
OMB Watch was formed by Gary Bass
Gary Bass
Gary D. Bass is the founder and Executive Director of OMB Watch.Bass received a combined doctorate in psychology and education from the University of Michigan. He was president of the Human Services Information Center before founding OMB Watch in 1983...
in 1983 to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While OMB's actions were having an enormous impact on agency operations and the pursuit of social justice, OMB Watch believed that it remained largely behind the scenes, unaccountable, and little understood by the public and public interest groups.
Mission
OMB Watch exists to increase government transparencyTransparency (humanities)
Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed...
and accountability; to ensure sound, equitable regulatory and budgetary processes and policies; and to protect and promote active citizen participation in the United States democracy.
Work
OMB Watch concentrates on four main areas: budget, taxation and government performance; information and access; nonprofit action, advocacy, rights and policy; and regulatory policy.OMB Watch's goal is to improve access to decision-makers and energize citizen participation.