Is my paycheck increasing?

Last week brought us unemployment and GDP numbers for the US. This week I though I would take a look at the global economy and highlight the work of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Today they issued an update to the Global Wage Report. The news is not all rosy, in fact, "'the picture on wages is likely to get worse in 2009' regardless of other economic indicators suggesting an economic rebound. The report notes that in half of the 35 countries for which figures are available, real monthly wages fell in the first quarter of 2009 compared to their average of 2008, often due to cuts in hours worked" (ILO press release).

While the report does a nice job of outlining the wage situation, there are some other ILO sites you might want to check out on this issue.

• Wages This is the collection of data, press releases and reports on the international wage situation. I especially like the Minimum Wage database, which outlines the laws regarding minimum wages in 100 countries.
• Global Job Crisis Observatory The changes in unemployment and wages are important factors to watch over on the international stage as we work towards economic recovery. This site brings together all the various news reports and regional/international materials on jobs.

Want to look at more labor numbers? Okay, then go check out the library's guide.

Local Election Results

I am sure all of you managed to get your ballots in yesterday via the mail and are now curious about the results. Here are the best places to go for local results and news coverage:

• Boulder County Clerk This is where you can get the unofficial results for Boulder city, county, Erie, Louisville, Lafayette, Lyons, Nederland and the school districts. These are unofficial because not all the ballots have been counted and certified, but at this point the results are assumed to be accurate. Wondering if your ballot made it in? You can actually check this out by looking at your voter information!
  
• Daily Camera Election Coverage This is a collection of all the articles from the Daily Camera on the election.
• Denver Post Election Coverage This page has a bit more of a state-wide focus and even includes some national election news.

Still want more elections information? Why not check out the library's guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on aircraft, the Department of Defense, Iran's nuclear program, the Navy, and the presidential helicopter program. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• Defense: FY2010 Authorization and Appropriations
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Status
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations
• Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress
• VH-71/VXX Presidential Helicopter Program: Background and Issues for Congress
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as defense, economic issues, and disabilities. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Tax Debt Collection: IRS Needs to Better Manage the Collection Notices Sent to Individuals. GAO-09-976, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-976
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09976high.pdf
• Black Lung Benefits Program: Administrative and Structural Changes Could Improve Miners' Ability to Pursue Claims. GAO-10-7, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-7
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d107high.pdf
• Federal Energy Management: Agencies Are Taking Steps to Meet High-Performance Federal Building Requirements, but Face Challenges. GAO-10-22, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-22
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1022high.pdf
• Fire Grants: FEMA Has Met Most Requirements for Awarding Fire Grants, but Additional Actions Would Improve Its Grant Process. GAO-10-64, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-64
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1064high.pdf
• Valles Caldera: The Trust Has Made Progress but Faces Significant Challenges to Achieve Goals of the Preservation Act. GAO-10-84, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-84
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1084high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Challenges in Aligning Space System Components. GAO-10-55, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-55
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1055high.pdf
• Contract Management: Extent of Federal Spending under Cost-Reimbursement Contracts Unclear and Key Controls Not Always Used. GAO-09-921, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-921
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09921high.pdf
• Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal Performance Measures. GAO-09-617, September 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-617
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09617high.pdf
• Federal Student Aid: Highlights of a Study Group on Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. GAO-10-29, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-29
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1029high.pdf
• School Facilities: Physical Conditions in School Districts Receiving Impact Aid for Students Residing on Indian Lands. GAO-10-32, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-32
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1032high.pdf
• Aviation Security: DHS and TSA Have Researched, Developed, and Begun Deploying Passenger Checkpoint Screening Technologies, but Continue to Face Challenges. GAO-10-128, October 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-128
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10128high.pdf
• Public Transportation: Federal Project Approval Process Remains a Barrier to Greater Private Sector Role and DOT Could Enhance Efforts to Assist Project Sponsors. GAO-10-19, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-19
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1019high.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Actions Needed to Improve Visibility and Coordination of DOD's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts. GAO-10-95, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-95
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1095high.pdf
• Formerly Used Defense Sites: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Needs to Improve Its Process for Reviewing Completed Cleanup Remedies to Ensure Continued Protection. GAO-10-46, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-46
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1046high.pdf
• Higher Education and Disability: Education Needs a Coordinated Approach to Improve Its Assistance to Schools in Supporting Students. GAO-10-33, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-33
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1033high.pdf
• Human Capital: Monitoring of Safeguards and Addressing Employee Perceptions Are Key to Implementing a Civilian Performance Management System in DOD. GAO-10-102, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-102
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10102high.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Current Cyber Sector-Specific Planning Approach Needs Reassessment. GAO-09-969, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-969
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09969high.pdf
• Voters with Disabilities: Additional Monitoring of Polling Places Could Further Improve Accessibility. GAO-09-941, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-941
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09941high.pdf
• Retirement Savings: Automatic Enrollment Shows Promise for Some Workers, but Proposals to Broaden Retirement Savings for Other Workers Could Face Challenges. GAO-10-31, October 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-31
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1031high.pdf
• New Drug Approval: FDA Needs to Enhance Its Oversight of Drugs Approved on the Basis of Surrogate Endpoints. GAO-09-866, September 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-866
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09866high.pdf
• Medicare: Per Capita Method Can Be Used to Profile Physicians and Provide Feedback on Resource Use. GAO-09-802, September 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-802
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09802high.pdf
• Influenza Pandemic: Key Securities Market Participants Are Making Progress, but Agencies Could Do More to Address Potential Internet Congestion and Encourage Readiness. GAO-10-8, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-8
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d108high.pdf
• Higher Education: Issues Related to Law School Cost and Access. GAO-10-20, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-20
• Combating Illicit Financing: Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Could Manage More Effectively to Achieve Its Mission. GAO-09-794, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-794
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09794high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Many Analyses of Alternatives Have Not Provided a Robust Assessment of Weapon System Options. GAO-09-665, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-665
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09665high.pdf
  

Correspondences

• Aviation Safety: Information on the Safety Effects of Modifying the Age Standard for Commercial Pilots. GAO-10-107R, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-107R
• Coal Combustion Residue: Status of EPA's Efforts to Regulate Disposal. GAO-10-85R, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-85R
• Military Training: DOD's Report on the Sustainability of Training Ranges Addresses Most of the Congressional Reporting Requirements and Continues to Improve with Each Annual Update. GAO-10-103R, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-103R

Testimonies

• National Transportation Safety Board: Reauthorization Provides an Opportunity to Focus on Implementing Leading Management Practices and Addressing Human Capital and Training Center Issues, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-183T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-183T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10183thigh.pdf
• Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal Performance Measures, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-159T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-159T
• Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA Faces Challenges in Responding to Task Force Recommendations, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-188T, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-188T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10188thigh.pdf
• 401(k) Plans: Several Factors Can Diminish Retirement Savings, but Automatic Enrollment Shows Promise for Increasing Participation and Savings, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-10-153T, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-153T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10153thigh.pdf
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Workers and Retirees Experience Delays and Uncertainty when Underfunded Plans Are Terminated, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. GAO-10-181T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-181T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10181thigh.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Challenges Confronting DOD's Ability to Coordinate and Oversee Its Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Efforts, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-186T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-186T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10186thigh.pdf
• Financial Management Systems: DHS Faces Challenges to Successfully Consolidate Its Existing Disparate Systems, by Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, and Nabajyoti Barkakati, Chief Technologist, Applied Research and Methods, Center for Technology and Engineering, before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-210T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-210T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10210thigh.pdf
• International Food Assistance: A U.S. Governmentwide Strategy Could Accelerate Progress toward Global Food Security, by Thomas Melito, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-10-212T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-212T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10212thigh.pdf
• Recovery Act: Preliminary Observations on the Implementation of Broadband Programs, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-192T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-192T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10192thigh.pdf
• Federal Electronics Management: Federal Agencies Could Improve Participation in EPA's Initiatives for Environmentally Preferable Electronic Products, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-196T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-196T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10196thigh.pdf
• Legal Services Corporation: Some Progress Made in Addressing Governance and Accountability Weaknesses, But Challenges Remain, by Susan Ragland, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-194T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-194T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10194thigh.pdf
  

Unemployment and GDP Numbers

To make up for our nice afternoon off here at CU-Boulder, this morning I thought I would tackle some numbers on this cold snowy morning. The Department of Labor and Department of Commerce both released some big data figures in the past two days.

I'll start with today's encouraging numbers from the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009 (see the press release). This is the first increase since the second quarter of 2008 and is a good sign that the economy is turning around. The big caveat is that much of the spending was driven by government programs, including "Cash for Clunkers."

Now, let's test our knowledge further, how many people have heard of the National Economic Accounts? The GDP is one of the factors in these accounts, which serve as indicators to help answer questions about how the national economy is faring and changing over time. Want to get a quick primer on how all these numbers interact? Well, the BEA has created a 23-page document that talks about the various numbers used in these accounts and what they can tell anyone studying the economy.

Have I scared you off yet? No, well, then let us take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) release on unemployment numbers. This is the bad news of the equation on the economy, of the 372 metropolitan areas studied by the BLS, only 1 had an unemployment rate lower then that of a year ago. Rather then scare you with definitions on this set, I just wanted to point out that you can get local unemployment numbers for your state by month off the data page.

Still here? Why not check out the library's guide to business and economic data.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on poverty, immigration, foreign policy, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by SecrecyNews and OpenCRS:

• Presidential Terms and Tenure: Perspectives and Proposals for Change
• The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight
• Poverty in the United States: 2008
• Public Safety Communications and Spectrum Resources: Policy Issues for Congress
• Managing Electronic Waste: Issues with Exporting E-Waste
• Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
• Supreme Court Justices: Demographic Characteristics, Professional Experience, and Legal Education, 1789-2009
• Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
• Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa
• Air Force KC-X Tanker Aircraft Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress
• Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2010 Appropriations
• Department of Defense Food Procurement: Background and Status
• European Union Enlargement: A Status Report on Turkey's Accession Negotiations
• Illegal Drug Trade in Africa: Trends and U.S. Policy
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 111th Congress
• Immigration: Frequently Asked Questions on the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Karma Ester Information Research Specialist
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives
• Iran Sanctions
• Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
• Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues
• Removing Aliens from the United States: Judicial Review of Removal Orders
• Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations
• Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990
• The European Union: Questions and Answers
• The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications
• War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.