Wednesday, February 28, 2007
New coins, new coins...
The U.S. Mint has started a new line of coins, the $1 Presidential Coin. These coins will be released in the order the president's served, so in 2007 we will see Presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison.
For those of you who are interested in the state quarters, the 2007 designs are also available online. This year's releases will be Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
The U.S. Mint was formed in 1792 and is in charge of making all the coinage used in the U.S. They do not produce the paper bills we use, that is done by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They make these coins in Philadelphia or Denver (that's why you see a little P or D on all the coins you have).
Want to see coins where coins are made? If you live in Denver or Philadelphia you can, just check out the web site for information. I have been on the Denver tour and it is fun!
Discovering the Developing World
This session will focus on finding information on developing countries, such as Sudan, Iraq, and China. It will cover both statistics and information on the countires themselves. We will discuss both print and electronic resources, such as World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance, the United Nations, and much more.
The handout for this session is available online.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Current and future threats to the national security of the US
The witnesses were:
- Vice Admiral John M. McConnell, USN (Ret.), Director of National Intelligence
- Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, USA, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
- Dr. Thomas Fingar, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Analysis, and
Chairman, National Intelligence Council
The annual threat assessment, included in the prepared statements, covers issues of security in countries from Iraq and Iran to India and Sudan.
Want to read more about the hearing? Check out the Washington Post's "Intelligence Officials Offer Grim Assessment of Security."
Want to find more information on intelligence? Check out the library's guide.
Postal Rates to Increase?
Want to read the documents related to this decision? Check them out on the PRC's web site. In addition to the 502-page opinion, you can also find a 34-page summary for the press.
Who is the PRC? It is an independent regulatory agency made up of five commissioners. This group makes recommendations on new domestic mail rates, fees and mail classifications. The Board of Governors for the U.S. Post Office generally follows these recommendations. According to the Washington Post article "Postal Commission Favors Selling Stamp That Locks In Current Rate" the last time they deviated from the recommendations was in 1980.
Want to know the historical cost of mailing a letter? Check out this letter to Thomas Jefferson in March of 1792 from Thomas Pickering of the Post Office (from the Thomas Jefferson collection at American Memory). In this letter he recommends against carrying the mail 100 miles a day, due to the increased cost.
Monday, February 26, 2007
White House web site redesign
The new site has three areas:
- In Focus This section of the site links first to the topics on the top of the President's agenda, such as the budget, homeland security, and Iraq. There are then links to news pages, appointments, additional government web sites, and a feature that lets you ask questions of the White House.
- Latest News This section has links to the most recent press releases, as well as photo essays and videos.
- Features This section takes the primary issues of the President and give a brief overview of the issue, with links to plans, press releases, and fact sheets.
Want to learn more about the office of the President? Check out the library's guide.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
GAO Releases this week
Reports
- Highway Emergency Relief: Reexamination Needed to Address Fiscal Imbalance and Long-term Sustainability. GAO-07-245, February 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-245
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07245high.pdf - Leaking Underground Storage Tanks: EPA Should Take Steps to Better Ensure the Effective Use of Public Funding for Cleanups. GAO-07-152, February 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-152
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07152high.pdf - Chemical and Biological Defense: Management Actions Are Needed to Close the Gap between Army Chemical Unit Preparedness and Stated National Priorities. GAO-07-143, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-143
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07143high.pdf - Chemical and Biological Defense: Updated Intelligence, Clear Guidance, and Consistent Priorities Needed to Guide Investments in Collective Protection. GAO-07-113, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-113
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07113high.pdf - Crude Oil: California Crude Oil Price Fluctuations Are Consistent with Broader Market Trends. GAO-07-315, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-315
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07315high.pdf - Employee Benefits Security Administration: Enforcement Improvements Made but Additional Actions Could Further Enhance Pension Plan Oversight. GAO-07-22, January 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-22
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0722high.pdf - Military Personnel: Strategic Plan Needed to Address Army's Emerging Officer Accession and Retention Challenges. GAO-07-224, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-224
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07224high.pdf - Telecommunications: Issues Related to the Structure and Funding of Public Television. GAO-07-150, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-150
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07150high.pdf
- Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of February 16, 2007, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-507T, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-507T
- The Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook: January 2007 Update. GAO-07-510R, February 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-510R - Biological Research Laboratories: Issues Associated with the Expansion of Laboratories Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. GAO-07-333R, February 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-333R
- "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida. GAO-07-527CG, February 21. [Slides]
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07527cg.pdf - "DOD Transformation Challenges and Opportunities" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Army War College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. GAO-07-500CG, February 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07500cg.pdf
Friday, February 23, 2007
Avian Flu
Interested in learning more about the various outbreaks? The Tourism Emergency Response Network has a page devoted to avian flu. It shows how many people have been effected in the various countries, as well as links to guidance, global impact, and additional resources not related to tourism.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention here in the United States also has a guide to avian influenza. Which has links to quick facts and information for specific groups, such as the poultry industry.
Want more health related information from the government? Check out the library's guide.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Guantanamo Bay detainees cases in the news
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard the case Lakhdar Boumediene vs. George Bush and released their opinion yesterday. The 60-page opinion finds that detainees do not have the right to challenge their imprisonment in U.S. courts. This case will probably be appealed to the Supreme Court, who ruled that military commissions violated U.S. law and the Geneva convention last June (for more information, see the blog posting).
Want to learn more? Check out the Washington Post article "Guantanamo Detainees Lose Appeal."
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Discovering the Developed World
Everyone is welcome, if you want to see some of the resources I'll be covering, check out the handout.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
A non-Senator's view of the Senate
As assistant doorkeeper one of his tasks was to assign Senator's seats (now seats are assigned by party). He describes this task: It has been the custom from the formation of the Senate that when a seat becomes vacant the first senator that speaks for that seat is entitled to it ... With what effort some senators make to obtain seats, when vacant, they have called on me at my house before sunrise in the morning and late at night to speak for a seat that they thought had not been spoken for. When I tell them they are too late they are surprised" (http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/special/Bassett/tdetail.cfm?id=23).
Basset discusses in these pages many of the issues of his 64 years from 1831-1895. You can access the manuscript via a timeline or themes (including a section on adventures and anecdotes).
Want to learn more about Congress? Check out the library's guide.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Today is President's Day, isn't it?
Want proof? Check out the Office of Personal Management's Federal Holiday site. See the note at the bottom: "This holiday is designated as "Washington's Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law."
Want to know more about the reason the name changed in the public consciousness? The National Archive's has a well-written article on the history of this holiday (as well as some discussion of why most federal holidays are on Monday). The article is "By George, IT IS Washington's Birthday!" and was written by C. L. Arbelbide.
Want to know more about the Presidents of the United States? Check out the White House's President's page. You can find the names and terms of all the President's as well as a brief story on what happened in the White House on this day in history.
The National Archives has also released a new interactive web site, "The Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century." This site has "documents, photographs, audio recordings, and video relating to the events of the presidents’ lives."
Finally, if you still need more Presidential information, check out the library's guide.
Friday, February 16, 2007
GAO Releases for the week
Reports
- NASA Procurement: Use of Award Fees for Achieving Program Outcomes Should Be Improved. GAO-07-58, January 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-58
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0758high.pdf - U.S. Postal Service: Vulnerability to Fluctuating Fuel Prices Requires Improved Tracking and Monitoring of Consumption Information. GAO-07-244, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-244
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07244high.pdf - Risk-Based Capital: Bank Regulators Need to Improve Transparency and Overcome Impediments to Finalizing the Proposed Basel II Framework. GAO-07-253, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-253
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07253high.pdf - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Human Capital and Risk Assessment Programs Appear Sound, but Evaluations of Their Effectiveness Should Be Improved. GAO-07-255, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-255
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07255high.pdf - Deposit Insurance: Assessment of Regulators' Use of Prompt Corrective Action Provisions and FDIC's New Deposit Insurance System. GAO-07-242, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-242
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07242high.pdf - Defense Logistics: Improved Oversight and Increased Coordination Needed to Ensure Viability of the Army's Prepositioning Strategy. GAO-07-144, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-144
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07144high.pdf - Secure Border Initiative: SBInet Expenditure Plan Needs to Better Support Oversight and Accountability. GAO-07-309, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-309
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07309high.pdf - Business Systems Modernization: Internal Revenue Service's Fiscal Year 2007 Expenditure Plan. GAO-07-247, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-247
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07247high.pdf - Small Business Administration: Additional Steps Needed to Enhance Agency Preparedness for Future Disasters. GAO-07-114, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-114
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07114high.pdf - District of Columbia: Procurement System Needs Major Reform. GAO-07-159, January 19. http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-159
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07159high.pdf - Homeland Security: Planned Expenditures for U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Program Need to Be Adequately Defined and Justified. GAO-07-278, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-278
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07278high.pdf - Financial Audit: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Funds' 2006 and 2005 Financial Statements. GAO-07-371, February 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-371
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07371high.pdf - Military Health: Increased TRICARE Eligibility for Reservists Presents Educational Challenges. GAO-07-195, February 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-195
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07195high.pdf
- Office of Special Counsel Needs to Follow Structured Life Cycle Management Practices for Its Case Tracking System. GAO-07-318R, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-318R - Update on the United Nations' Capital Master Plan. GAO-07-414R, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-414R - Selected Agencies Use of Criminal Background Checks for Determining Responsibility. GAO-07-215R, January 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-215R
- Tax Compliance: Multiple Approaches Are Needed to Reduce the Tax Gap, by Michael Brostek, director, tax issues, strategic issues, before the House Committee on the Budget. GAO-07-488T, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-488T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07488thigh.pdf - Homeland Security: US-VISIT Has Not Fully Met Expectations and Longstanding Program Management Challenges Need to Be Addressed, by Randolph C. Hite, director, information technology architecture and systems issues, and Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-499T, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-499T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07499thigh.pdf - Department of the Interior: Major Management Challenges, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-07-502T, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-502T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07502thigh.pdf - Rebuilding Iraq: Reconstruction Progress Hindered by Contracting, Security, and Capacity Challenges, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-426T, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-426T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07426thigh.pdf - Coast Guard: Preliminary Observations on Deepwater Program Assets and Management Challenges, by John P. Hutton, acting director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-446T, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-446T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07446thigh.pdf - Coast Guard: Coast Guard Efforts to Improve Management and Address Operational Challenges in the Deepwater Program, by Stephen L. Caldwell, acting director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-07-460T, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-460T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07460thigh.pdf - Freedom of Information Act: Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans, by Linda D. Koontz, director, information technology, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-491T, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-491T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07491thigh.pdf - Health Care Spending: Public Payers Face Burden of Entitlement Program Growth, While All Payers Face Rising Prices and Increasing Use of Services, by A. Bruce Steinwald, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-497T, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-497T - Children's Health Insurance: States' SCHIP Enrollment and Spending Experiences and Considerations for Reauthorization, by Kathryn G. Allen, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-07-501T, February 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-501T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07501thigh.pdf - Federal Aviation Administration: Challenges Facing the Agency in Fiscal Year 2008 and Beyond, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-07-490T, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-490T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07490thigh.pdf - Small Business Administration: Response to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Highlights Need for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness, by William B. Shear, director, financial markets and community investment, before the House Committee on Small Business. GAO-07-484T, February 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-484T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07484thigh.pdf - Aviation Security: Progress Made in Systematic Planning to Guide Key Investment Decisions, but More Work Remains, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-448T, February 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-448T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07448thigh.pdf - Passenger Rail Security: Federal Strategy and Enhanced Coordination Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-459T, February 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-459T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07459thigh.pdf
- "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire. GAO-07-495CG, February 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07495cg.pdf
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Treatment of children in developed world
"Child Poverty in Perspective: An Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries" uses six dimensions: material well-being, health and safety, education well-being, family and peer relationships, behavior and risks, and subjective well-being. The United States did not score in the top half on any of these dimensions, in fact the only country that scored lower was the United Kingdom. The top country in the bottom third was the Czech Republic, Netherlands had the highest score. Even Norway didn't score well on all six dimensions.
The Denver Post has an article in today's newspaper on this topic, "U.S. Child Welfare Ranked Low."
Want to learn more resources on children and youth? Check out the library's guide.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
European Parliament approves report on CIA operated flights
The full 77-page report entitled "Report on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners" is available online from the procedure file for this vote (or via direct link).
So who is the European Parliament you ask? They are the 785 people elected by the 27 member states to represent them at the European Union. These members serve a five-year term and are seated and organized into 8 official parties. Each state has a minimum of five members, with a maximum of 99, the number for each state is determined by population. Germany has the most seats with 99, followed by Italy, France and the United Kingdom all tied at 78. Only Malta is small enough to get only 5 members.
Want to see the breakdown of the political parties and countries? Check out the list of members site, if you click on the countries or parties you will get a full list of their members. Want to know more about the various political groups? Check out this list with links to their websites.
Want to learn more about the European Parliament is organized? Check out this quick guide. There are also guides to their powers and political role.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
House Resolution on Iraq
"Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--
(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and
(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq."
Debate on this resolution will run for the next three days, allowing every member of the House a chance to speak.
Want more information on this resolution? Check out the Washington Post's "House to take up resolution on Iraq."
Want more information on the legislative process? Check out the library's subject guide on legislation.
Economic Report of the President
The CEA is the same group that releases the monthly economic indicators on prices, wages, production, business activity, purchasing power, credit, money and Federal finance.
Want more economic information? Check out the collection of business and economic guides from the library.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Presidential Asperations
The various declarations can all be found by searching the Federal Election Commission's Campaign and Finance Reports database. You could also check out the top requested data page for 2008 filings (warning this page hasn't been updated since 2/5/07 and a few candidates have declared since then).
If you want to know more about the various levels of declarations check out the NPR story "Declaring for President is a Dance of the Seven Veils."
Want to know more about Elections? Check out the library's guide.
Friday, February 09, 2007
GAO Reports for the week
Reports
- Military Personnel: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Reserve Employment Issues. GAO-07-259, February 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-259
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07259high.pdf - Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Federal Actions Could Enhance Preparedness of Certain State-Administered Federal Support Programs. GAO-07-219, February 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-219
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07219high.pdf
Testimonies
- Prescription Drugs: Oversight of Drug Pricing in Federal Programs, by John E. Dicken, director, health care, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-481T, February 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-481T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07481thigh.pdf - Federal Oversight of Food Safety: High-Risk Designation Can Bring Needed Attention to Fragmented System, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-449T, February 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-449T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07449thigh.pdf - Homeland Security: Observations on the Department of Homeland Security's Acquisition Organization and on the Coast Guard's Deepwater Program, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-453T, February 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-453T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07453thigh.pdf - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Serious Economic, Fiscal, and Accountability Challenges, by Jeanette M. Franzel, director, financial management and assurance, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-07-436T, February 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-436T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07436thigh.pdf - Homeland Security: Management and Programmatic Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Homeland Security Committee. GAO-07-452T, February 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-452T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07452thigh.pdf - Homeland Security: Applying Risk Management Principles to Guide Federal Investments, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-386T, February 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-386T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07386thigh.pdf - Homeland Security: Management and Programmatic Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-398T, February 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-398T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07398thigh.pdf - Passenger Rail Security: Federal Strategy and Enhanced Coordination Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-07-442T, February 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-442T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07442thigh.pdf - Environmental Information: EPA Actions Could Reduce the Availability of Environmental Information to the Public, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-07-464T, February 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-464T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07464thigh.pdf
- Homeland Security Grants: Observations on Process DHS Used to Allocate Funds to Selected Urban Areas. GAO-07-381R, February 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-381R - Office of Special Trustee for American Indians: Financial Statement Audit Recommendations and the Audit Follow-Up Process. GAO-07-295R, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-295R
- "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour in Des Moines, Iowa. GAO-07-477CG, February 1. [Slides] [Internet only]
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07477cg.pdf
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Situation at the Iraqi National Library and Archive
In his latest entry from January, he writes that in December alone 4 staff have been assassinated, 2 kidnapped, 51 displaced from their homes, and 58 have received death threats. There are 464 people working for the INLA, 39 of them as guards.
The New York Times has an article on the library, entitled "Baghdad Day to Day: Librarians Journal."
Thanks to the Red Tape Blog for their original post on this topic.
Proposed increased funding for National Park Service
The National Parks Service was established on August 25,1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed into law an act creating the agency. At the time there were 35 national parks and monuments. The Sevice now protects and preserves 390 sites all over the United States. Colorado is home to 15 sites (http://www.nps.gov/state/co/), including one of the most visited, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
African Passages
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has just developed a new "interactive educational resource about the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade." African Passages provides links to images of the route from Africa to present day. There are also maps and documents from the time periods, as well as links to teaching activities.
For more on the development of this project and other resources from UNESCO, check out the Slave Route web site.
For those of you here in Boulder, the Government Publications Library has a new exhibit highlighting some of the resources from UNESCO here in the library. For those of you who still think all government documents are plain boring text, these books with their rich images and stories should prove otherwise.
Congressional Budget Office
First, the CBO is part of the legislative branch of government. The Director is appointed for a four-year term by the House and Senate Budget Committees. CBO is required by law to analyze the cost of the President's budget proposal as well as provide a "cost estimate and mandate statement for every bill reported by a Congressional committee." These cost estimates are available online from the 105th Congress (1997-98) forward.
The majority of CBO's publications are available online. You can search by subject area, recent publications, or keyword. An example of a recent CBO report is "Testimony on Estimating the Costs of Military Operations in Iraq."
If you are interested in learning more about the laws governing the CBO, check out the US Code Title 2, Chapter 17.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
One more item on the budget...
To get an idea of the tone of the report, you can look at the top of the Committee's web site, which lists the national debt at: $8,696,586,128,372.97, with each of us having a share of: $28,881.49. This number increases every minute, so if you go to the site you will find a larger number later this afternoon.
There is also a report available from the Congressional Budget Office entitled "The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2008 to 2017." This report takes a look at spending and economic growth and attempts to predict the growth or reduction of both.
Again, if you'd like more debt or budget information, check out the library's guide.
Monday, February 05, 2007
$2.9 Trillion budget
The full budget is online from the Office of Management and Budget. There are a number of additional features on the White House's Fiscal Year 2008 page. One of the more interesting is the State by State budget information, which talks about how the federal government budget effects your state. On a local front the budget has "$28 million to begin renovations to upgrade existing laboratory space at the main lab facility for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado."
Congress has just received the budget, but they already have a few comments. For a good bipartisan comparison, take a look at the Senate Budget Committee web site.
If you go to the Democratic side you will find a statement from Chairman Kent Conrad in which he claims the "President’s budget is filled with debt and deception, disconnected from reality, and continues to move America in the wrong direction" (read the full statement online).
On the Republican side you will find Ranking minority leader Senator Judd Grey's statement which claims "The President’s budget reflects his goals of continuing robust economic growth, protecting the nation from harm and spending wisely on domestic priorities" (read the full statement online) .
If you are feeling a little nervous, don't worry both statements end with a statement that both Senators look forward to working towards a bipartisan solution on these issues.
If you want to read an analysis of the budget, without reading the hundreds of pages of small print, check out the Washington Post's "Bush sends Congress $2.9 trillion budget plan."
Want to find more budget resources? Check out the library's guide.
IPCC Climate Change 2007
The next two volumes are "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" and "Mitigation of Climate Change" (the links take you to the outlines). These volumes should be released in May.
Want to read some reactions in the media? Check out the Washington Post's "Humans Faulted for Global Warming" or for a quick overview, check out the BBC's "At a Glance: IPCC Report."
Want to learn more about climate change? Check out the library's guide.
Friday, February 02, 2007
GAO Reports for the Week
Reports
- Recycling: Additional Efforts Could Increase Municipal Recycling. GAO-07-37, December 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-37
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0737high.pdf - U.S. Government Accountability Office: Performance and Accountability Highlights, Fiscal Year 2006. GAO-07-3SP, January 2007 http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-3SP
- Reserve Forces: Actions Needed to Identify National Guard Domestic Equipment Requirements and Readiness. GAO-07-60, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-60
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0760high.pdf - Military Base Closures: Opportunities Exist to Improve Environmental Cleanup Cost Reporting and to Expedite Transfer of Unneeded Property. GAO-07-166, January 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-166
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07166high.pdf - High-Risk Series: An Update. GAO-07-310, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-310
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07310high.pdf - Tax Policy: New Markets Tax Credit Appears to Increase Investment by Investors in Low-Income Communities, but Opportunities Exist to Better Monitor Compliance. GAO-07-296, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-296
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07296high.pdf - National Nuclear Security Administration: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Management of the Nation's Nuclear Programs. GAO-07-36, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-36
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0736high.pdf - Contract Management: Proteges Value DOD's Mentor-Protege Program, but Annual Reporting to Congress Needs Improvement. GAO-07-151, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-151
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07151high.pdf - Fiscal Stewardship: A Critical Challenge Facing Our Nation. GAO-07-362SP, January 2007.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-362SP - Health Careers Opportunity Program: Process for Awarding Competitive Grants Included Independent Review. GAO-07-137, February 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-137
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07137high.pdf - State Department: State Has Initiated a More Systematic Approach for Managing Its Aviation Fleet. GAO-07-264, February 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-264
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07264high.pdf - Health Information Technology: Early Efforts Initiated but Comprehensive Privacy Approach Needed for National Strategy. GAO-07-238, January 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-238
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07238high.pdf
- Yucca Mountain Project: Information on Estimated Cost to Respond to Employee E-Mails That Raised Questions about Quality Assurance. GAO-07-297R, January 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-297R
- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Disaster Relief: Prevention Is the Key to Minimizing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Recovery Efforts, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, in New Orleans, Louisiana. GAO-07-418T, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-418T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07418thigh.pdf - Military Personnel: DOD Needs to Provide a Better Link between Its Defense Strategy and Military Personnel Requirements, by Janet A. St. Laurent, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-07-397T, January 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-397T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07397thigh.pdf - Rail Safety: The Federal Railroad Administration Is Better Targeting Its Oversight, but Needs to Assess the Impact of Its Efforts, by Katherine A. Siggerud, director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-07-390T, January 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-390T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07390thigh.pdf - Wildland Fire Management: Lack of a Cohesive Strategy Hinders Agencies' Cost-Containment Efforts, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-07-427T, January 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-427T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07427thigh.pdf - Defense Logistics: Preliminary Observations on the Army's Implementation of Its Equipment Reset Strategies, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Readiness and Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-07-439T, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-439T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07439thigh.pdf - Food Stamp Program: Payment Errors and Trafficking Have Declined despite Increased Program Participation, by Sigurd R. Nilsen, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. GAO-07-422T, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-422T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07422thigh.pdf - National Nuclear Security Administration: Security and Management Improvements Can Enhance Implementation of the NNSA Act, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-07-428T, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-428T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07428thigh.pdf - Health Information Technology: Early Efforts Initiated but Comprehensive Privacy Approach Needed for National Strategy, by Linda D. Koontz, and David A. Powner, directors, information technology, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-07-400T, February 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-400T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07400thigh.pdf - Children's Health Insurance: State Experiences in Implementing SCHIP and Considerations for Reauthorization, by Kathryn G. Allen, director, health care, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-07-447T, February 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-447T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07447thigh.pdf - Border Security: US-VISIT Program Faces Strategic, Operational, and Technological Challenges at Land Ports of Entry, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security, Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-07-378T, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-378T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07378thigh.pdf
- "DOD Budget and Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities," a briefing by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-07-435CG, January 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07435cg.pdf - "Improving Performance, Accountability, and Transparency in the Federal Government," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Government Performance Summit, in Washington, D.C. GAO-07-420CG, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07420cg.pdf - "America in 2017: Making Tough Choices Today Can Help Save Our Future," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, at the Mendoza School of Business, University of Notre Dame, in South Bend, Indiana. GAO-07-417CG, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d07417cg.pdf
- Government Auditing Standards: January 2007 Revision. GAO-07-162G, January 2007. [ELECTRONIC VERSION ONLY]
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-162G
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Global Employment Trends
If you are interested in comparing unemployment rates between countries, check out the World Development Indicators database (only available to CU-affiliated users). This database provides data for many countries back to 1980.
If you would like additional labor statistics, check out the library's guide for additional sources of information.