Election over, administration unleashes new rules

WASHINGTON (AP) - While the "fiscal cliff" dominates political conversation in Washington, some Republicans and business groups see signs of a "regulatory cliff" that they say could be just as damaging to the economy.

In recent weeks, the administration has proposed rules to deal with runoff from logging roads, require data recorders in cars and trucks and implement the new health care law.

The rules had been sidetracked during the presidential campaign as the White House sought to quiet Republican charges that President Barack Obama was an overzealous regulator who is killing U.S. jobs.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe says Obama has spent the past year "punting" on a slew of regulations that will be unleashed in a second term.

Environmental groups say fears of a second-term regulatory deluge are overstated.

Candle factory destroyed by fire in Casey County