Commentary

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

BLOG | Social Distancing to Curb COVID-19 and Park Overcrowding

by Jeff Ruch | February 1, 2021
Biden Executive Order on COVID-19 protocols on federal property puts the National Park Service under a direct presidential order to do something it's resisted for years - manage overcrowding ...

Statement | Biden Administration’s New Direction on Climate

by Tim Whitehouse | January 28, 2021
Biden's executive orders are the first steps to a rapid transition from fossil fuels and increased protections for our communities, public lands and oceans ...

BLOG | Restoring Confidence in the Senate Confirmation Process

by Monica Mercola | January 22, 2021
After four years of deceit under the Trump administration, it is time to restore confidence in government, including in the Senate confirmation process ...

BLOG | Biden’s Approach to Climate Disruption: What Will It Mean for Federal Agencies?

by Guest Contributor | January 21, 2021
President Biden has called for a “whole of government” approach to addressing climate disruption. What does this mean ...

Op-Ed | Viewpoint: EPA Needs to Return to Its Public Health Roots

by Guest Contributor | January 20, 2021
By returning to its public health roots, the EPA can begin to restore the public’s trust in its ability to protect both public health and the environment ...

BLOG | The Dumpster Fire Presidency in Review

by Peter Jenkins | January 19, 2021
The Trump Administration went out of its way to violate “good government” laws and norms. Here's a list of their worst "Dirty Dozen" abuses ...