Fans of plain English — and who isn't? — have reasons to cheer. Last October, President Obama signed into law the Plain Writing Act of 2010. The law requires that government agencies write documents in "plain language," which is described as writing that is "clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices." The law applies to all those government forms and documents which the general public wrestles with annually, or as needed, such as income tax forms, Veteran Administration forms, and applications of every sort for things like welfare relief and Medicaid. To anyone who has dipped into the labyrinthine pages of the Federal Register, the law will strike a hopeful note. However, it should be noted that the new legislation doesn't specify any penalties in case agencies don't comply. For the interested, the government offers a website that explains the law, defines "plain language," and provides numerous examples of government prose rewritten to be concise, active, and more transparent.

Did someone forward you this message? Click here to subscribe to Shoptalk.

If you no longer wish to receive mailings, click here. | View our PRIVACY POLICY.

Contributors to this edition: Michelle Anderson, Rob Davenport, David Garza, Laura Kowalski, and Art Martinez. Edited by TG Communications and Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Designed by TG Communications.

Shoptalk is published by TG. Unless specifically noted, the policies and procedures outlined in Shoptalk apply only to loans made under TG's guarantee and not to loans underwritten by other guarantors.

© 2011 Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation.
Ask TG and the TG logo are trademarks or service marks of Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation.