In case you missed it...

...there's another way to simplify regulations that may attract more consensus. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduced a bill this week that would require that all federal regulations be written in clear, simple language that their intended audience can understand, reducing compliance costs for the private sector. He helped pass a similar bill last year to promote plain language in government, but it didn't touch regulations.

"Sadly, gobbledygook dominates the regulations issued by government agencies, making it almost impossible for small businesses to understand the rules of the road," Braley said in a statement about the bill.

The congressman offered an example of that "gobbledygook" when I interviewed him this week: The 300-page Volcker Rule, he said, "seems excessive to me," arguing that regulators trained in plain language would be able "to produce a document that's much simpler and much easier to understand."

Simplifying regulations is not so simple

Washington Post

1/19/12

Opponents of government regulations typically complain about the burden they impose on private-sector firms that have to comply with them, burden that they say dampens economic growth.

Part of that burden has to do with the sheer complexity of the regulations themselves, especially when taken together as a whole.

One financial industry consulting firm describes that web of regulatory mandates as a "complexity risk." In a new industry report flagged by Joe Nocera, the consulting firm Federal Financial Analytics argues that "the sum total of all the U.S. and global rules aimed at preventing financial crises" can end up having unintended consequences.

The study points out that both regulators and industry players tend to look at regulations in a "silo" fashion, without considering how the individual parts may overlap, contradict or otherwise work against each other. Federal Financial Analytics emphasizes that it doesn't oppose many of the new regulations, per se, but that many critical pieces need to be streamlined.

For example, the firm proposes creating "a more uniform capital framework" to make it easier for firms to comply with new U.S. and global capital standards. It also wants CEOs to be responsible for monitoring only risks that truly threaten their own firms or the financial system instead of "the minutiae."

But there can be big differences between how regulators and industry leaders would simplify byzantine regulations. The suggestion to reduce the number of risk factors that bank chiefs are responsible for monitoring which might concern regulators. But giving more discretion and power to regulators would likely concern industry. And finding a compromise between the two can often make a law even more complex.

Federal Financial Analytics blames such regulatory complexity on "over engineered standards" produced by a host of expert regulators. But industry lobbyists are also driving these deliberations to carve out exceptions if things aren't moving in their direction. As a result, achieving "simplicity" can be harder than it sounds in the abstract.

That said, there's another way to simplify regulations that may attract more consensus. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduced a bill this week that would require that all federal regulations be written in clear, simple language that their intended audience can understand, reducing compliance costs for the private sector. He helped pass a similar bill last year to promote plain language in government, but it didn't touch regulations.

"Sadly, gobbledygook dominates the regulations issued by government agencies, making it almost impossible for small businesses to understand the rules of the road," Braley said in a statement about the bill.

The congressman offered an example of that "gobbledygook" when I interviewed him this week: The 300-page Volcker Rule, he said, "seems excessive to me," arguing that regulators trained in plain language would be able "to produce a document that's much simpler and much easier to understand."

With the cow herd at its lowest level since 1973, drought in the southern range states and optimism for increased export demand, the stage is set for heifer retention increases into the next few years. To aid in this process, Iowa Beef Center (IBC), Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association are working together to host a series of heifer clinics over the next few weeks.

The series focuses on currently available technologies and management to increase productivity and longevity of heifers. Specific topics include health protocols, ration recommendations, heifer development budgets, AI practices and synchronization recommendations, and reducing calving difficulties. Ultrasound demonstration and Q&A also are part of each session.

Cost is $15 per person which includes resource materials and meal. Contact and registration information is included for each location. Preregister by date shown for the desired location to ensure adequate material and meal count.

Session dates, times, locations

Jan. 25, Rockwell City, Expo Building at Calhoun County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Register by Jan. 18 by calling 712-297-8611 (snow date Feb. 1).

Jan. 26, Iowa Falls, Ellsworth College Equestrian Center, 6 p.m. Register by Jan. 18 by calling 641-923-2856.

Feb. 6, Spencer, Clay County Regional Events Center at Clay County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by Jan. 30 by calling 712-262-2264 (snow date Feb. 8).

Feb. 7, Postville, Postville Vet Clinic, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.

Feb. 7, Richland, Keokuk County (formerly Richland) Veterinary Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.

Feb. 7, Stuart, Stuart Vet Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.

Feb. 9, Chariton, ISU McNay farm, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.

Feb. 9, Maquoketa, Jackson County Extension office, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.

Feb. 9, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Livestock Auction, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.

A listing of all series session dates, times, locations and contact information also is available on the IBC website.

Additional series sponsors are ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Elanco Animal Health, Genex, Hawkeye Breeders Service, Innovative Ag Services, Land O'Lakes-Purina, Nichols Cryo-Genetics, Pfizer Animal Health, Quality Liquid Feeds, Select Sires and Stuart Veterinary Clinic-Ultrasound Services.

Site specific sponsors are Collison Embryo, Collison Veterinary Services, Innovative Ag Services, Maquoketa Embryos, Novartis Animal Health, Postville Vet Clinic, Spencer Ag Center LLC, Spencer Livestock Sales, and Valley Veterinary Center, PLC.

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PEORIA, IL (01/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Members of the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria are scheduled to return home Monday after serving in Operation Enduring Freedom since early November 2011. Approximately 90 members of the 182nd Airlift Wing were activated in early November and deployed with three C-130 aircraft to Afghanistan. Around 20 of the members will be returning Monday evening to the Airlift Wing. Most of the returning members are aircrew who have been flying C-130 missions within the Afghanistan Theater of Operations. Approximately 70 members and three C-130's still remain deployed and are scheduled to return in the spring.

The 182nd Airlift Wing flies the C-130 aircraft which is primarily used to transport cargo, personnel and aeromedical evacuees. Since Sept. 11, 2001 the 182nd Airlift Wing has deployed more than 1,500 members to support operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Many of the wing's members have deployed numerous times. The wing has flown more than 12,500 hours in direct support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and tactical air controllers have controlled over 15,000 close air support sorties, many in support of "Troops in Contact." Additionally, the wing houses various mission support units that have provided base operating support, supply chain logistics, combat air support control and combat communications while deployed. This deployment cycle is one of many in the wing's history of supporting Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.