GAO releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. You may have heard discussion this week about a GAO report on progress in Iraq. See the Washington Post articles, "Report Finds Little Progress On Iraq Goals: GAO Draft at Odds With White House" and the response to the release "Pentagon Challenges GAO's Report on Iraq" The problem is that this discussion is in response to the draft report, the final report won't be released until Tuesday, so you won't find it in this list. You can find it online then on the Iraq page at the GAO's web site. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Advance Earned Income Tax Credit: Low Use and Small Dollars Paid Impede IRS's Efforts to Reduce High Noncompliance. GAO-07-1110, August 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1110
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071110high.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: Management Actions Needed to Ensure Effectiveness of DOD's Risk Management Approach for the Defense Industrial Base. GAO-07-1077, August 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1077
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071077high.pdf
• Railroad Bridges and Tunnels: Federal Role in Providing Safety Oversight and Freight Infrastructure Investment Could Be Better Targeted. GAO-07-770, August 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-770
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07770high.pdf
• Federal Housing Administration: Agency Should Assess the Effects of Proposed Changes to the Manufactured Home Loan Program. GAO-07-879, August 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-879
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07879high.pdf
• Medicare Physician Payments: Medicare and Private Payment Differences for Anesthesia Services. GAO-07-463, July 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-463
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07463high.pdf

Guidance

• Financial Audit Manual, Volume III. GAO-07-1173G, August 28, 2007.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1173G

Presentation by Comptroller General

• "Transforming Government, Management, and Accountability" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the 14th Biennial Pacific Emerging Issues Conference, in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. GAO-07-1214CG, August 22. [Slides]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071214cg.pdf

Labor day is just for vacationing right?

I am sure many of you are running off this weekend to enjoy one last long weekend before the winter. While we are happy for the day off Labor day gives us, you may not know as much about how it came about.

The U.S. Department of Labor has written up a quick summary of the history of Labor day. For some numbers (statistics, whatever you want to call them), check out the Census Bureau's Fact for Features: Labor Day 2007. Where you can find such fun facts such as, there are 310,000 people who work full-time at two jobs.

And finally, for those of you who just want to enjoy the day off, check out recreation.gov for information on visiting public lands in the United States.

Interested in more information on labor and employment? Check out the library's guide.

CRS reports from this week

Yes, it is Wednesday not Tuesday, but I didn't get a list of new CRS reports until today. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern, this week gives us reports on digital TV, bridges and diplomacy. While 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. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Spectrum Use and the Transition to Digital TV
• Medicaid and SCHIP Provisions in H.R. 3162 and S. 1893/H.R. 976
• The Federal Protective Service and Contract Security Guards: A Statutory History and Current Status
• Spectrum Management: Auctions
• Diplomacy for the 21st Century: Transformational Diplomacy
• U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients
  
• The Role of National Oil Companies in the International Oil Market
  
• The War Crimes Act: Current Issues
  
• Manipulating Molecules: Federal Support for Nanotechnology Research
  
• Highway Bridges: Conditions and the Federal/State Role
  
• Federal Railroad Safety Programs: Selected Issues in Proposed Reauthorization Legislation
  
• Transportation Security: Issues for the 110th Congress
  
• P.L. 110-55, the Protect America Act of 2007: Modifications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

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

New way to get guides from the library

I am sure on day two of the semester all of you are already getting to work on your final papers, but in preparation for that day I thought I would alert you to a new resource in the libraries, the Research and Subject Guides database.

This source gives you a single location to search for all the guides in the library on everything from Art to Zimbabwe. You can also browse by department, for example check out the Environmental Studies page. Hopefully this will work as a good place to start your research.

Alberto Gonzales Resigns as Attorney General

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tendered his resignation today. Gonzales has faced months of bipartisan scrutiny and calls for his resignation after Congress began an investigation into the 2006 dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys. Additionally, Gonzales has been criticized for his positions on U.S. interrogation techniques and warrantless wiretaps. Gonzales is the second high ranking administration official to resign this month. Karl Rove, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President, will be leaving the White House on August 31st. Read more about Rove's resignation in our blog. You can read the statement from President Bush about the Gonzales resignation on the White House web site.

Want to read more about Gonzales' resignation? Check out the Washington Post's "Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Resigns," "Embattled Attorney General Resigns" from the New York Times or "Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Resigns" from Fox News.

For more information, check out the Washington Post's special report on the U.S. Attorney Firings Investigation. Search for Gonzales' testimony on the Senate Judiciary Committee's website. Or if you are here on campus, search LexisNexis Congressional for additional hearing transcripts.

Still want more information? Check out the library's guides on the Presidency and Congress.

GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week since Congress wasn't in session there are only a few reports. But you might want to check out their new home page, you can go directly to reports, testimony, and correspondence. The GAO has also digitized most of their historical reports so those of you looking for older materials can view them online. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Very Light Jets: Several Factors Could Influence Their Effect on the National Airspace System. GAO-07-1001, August 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1001
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071001high.pdf
• Business Modernization: NASA Must Consider Agencywide Needs to Reap the Full Benefits of Its Enterprise Management System Modernization Effort. GAO-07-691, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07691.pdf
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07691high.pdf

Correspondence

• Medicaid Demonstration Waivers: Lack of Opportunity for Public Input during Federal Approval Process Still a Concern. GAO-07-694R, July 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-694R

Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform

Some of you who are addicted to newspapers like me might have read today's Denver Post headline story "The price of wellness." After reading it you might be interested to know a bit more about the 208 Commission mentioned in the article.

This commission's full name is Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform and they have been working on developing a number of proposals for handling health care in Colorado. The proposals (and there are quite a few) are all online. The web site claims that the evaluations were going to be done by August 20th, but at the moment they only link to drafts.

If you are interested in commenting the commission will be soliciting public input in October, but at this time you can only attend the meetings.

Interested in additional information on health and medicine? Check out the library's guide.

9/11 and the CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released (at the request of Congress) an unclassified version on the agencies failures in regards to 9/11. The executive summary OIG Report on on CIA accountability with respect to 9/11 attacks (OIG is the Office of Inspector General) discusses both what the agency did wrong and right. Former CIA director George Tenet has released a response to the release of this report in the New York Times.

Want media reaction to this report? Check out the Washington Post's "Report: Tenet Failed to Prepare for al-Qaeda Threat."

Interested in seeing additional government discussion on terrorism? Check out the library's guide.

Congressional Research Service reports

It's Tuesday and time for another set of Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports. CRS is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress's request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern, this week gives us reports on globalization, copyright and agriculture. While 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. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Capital Punishment Overview: 2006-2007 Term of the Supreme Court
• Globalization, Worker Insecurity, and Policy Approaches
• Executive Branch Reorganization and Management Initiatives: A Brief Overview
• Constitutional Limits on Punitive Damages Awards: An Analysis of the Supreme Court Case Philip Morris USA v. Williams
• Internet Search Engines: Copyright's 'Fair Use'" in Reproduction and Public Display Rights
• Nuclear Energy Policy
• The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
• Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues
• Sugar Policy and the 2007 Farm Bill
• Possible Expiration of the 2002 Farm Bill

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

Hurricane Dean

As Hurricane Dean bears down on the Yucatan peninsula it is time to check out some sources of information on hurricanes.

First, check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) web site. In addition to the standard page for tracking Dean, you can also check out resources on hurricanes and the National Hurricane Center.

Second, check out the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA). They have links off the front page to the state of emergency declarations for the hurricane and resources on what to do in a hurricane.

Finally, if you still want more information check out the library guides on climate and weather or emergencies and disasters.

GAO Releases this week

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

Reports

• Rental Housing: Information on Low-Income Veterans' Housing Conditions and Participation in HUD's Programs. GAO-07-1012, August 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1012
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071012high.pdf
• Aboveground Oil Storage Tanks: Observations on EPA's Economic Analyses of Amendments to the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Rule. GAO-07-763, July 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-763
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07763high.pdf
• Reexamining Regulations: Opportunities Exist to Improve Effectiveness and Transparency of Retrospective Reviews. GAO-07-791, July 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-791
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07791high.pdf
• Tax Gap: A Strategy for Reducing the Gap Should Include Options for Addressing Sole Proprietor Noncompliance. GAO-07-1014, July 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1014
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071014high.pdf
• Small Business Administration: Additional Measures Needed to Assess 7(a) Loan Program's Performance. GAO-07-769, July 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-769
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07769high.pdf
• Federal Advertising: Established Programs Were Largely Used to Address Executive Order Directive to Ensure Small and Minority-Owned Business Participation. GAO-07-877, July 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-877
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07877high.pdf
  

Correspondence

• Freight Railroads: Updated Information on Rates and Other Industry Trends. GAO-07-291R, August 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-291R

Presentation by the Comptroller General

• "Keeping America Great: The Role of the Accountability Profession," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers, in Nashville, Tennessee. GAO-07-1192CG, August 13. [Slides]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071192cg.pdf

Guidance

• Cost Assessment Guide: Best Practices for Estimating and Managing Program Costs. [Exposure Draft] GAO-07-1134SP, July 2007.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1134SP

Peru hit by 8.0 earthquake

Peru was hit by an magnitude 8.0 earthquake near the coast of central Peru yesterday. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a database of all earthquakes and you can read about yesterdays quake online. This page has basic information on the location of the quake as well as maps, summary of the occurrence and links to scientific and technical reports.

You can read more about the quake and its aftermath in the Washington Post article "Powerful Quake Kills at Least 337 in Peru."

Want more information on Peru? Check out the library's country guide.

India and Pakistan Celebrate Independence Day

India and Pakistan celebrated sixty years of independence from the British Empire. In August, 1947, the British colonial government granted subcontinent independence and split it into two countries, Muslim Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. Independence resulted in a mass migration and violence. More than 500,000 people lost their lives, while 7.5 million Muslim refugees fled to Pakistan from India and 10 million Hindus left Pakistan for India. Pakistan celebrates their independence on August 14th and India celebrates on August 15th.

Read more about the celebration in Pakistan, India Mark Independence Day from the Washington Post.

Want more information? Check out the library's foreign country guides on India and Pakistan.

From the Congressional Research Service this past week

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. This week brings us the following series of CRS reports, courtesy of Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• Expiration of the 2001 Through 2006 Tax Cuts
• Tax Benefits for Health Insurance and Expenses: Overview of Current Law and Legislation
• The Financial Impact of Child Support on TANF Families: Simulation for Selected States
• Student Loans in Bankruptcy
• Intellectual Property Rights Violations: Federal Civil Remedies and Criminal Penalties Related to Copyrights, Trademarks, and Patents
• Information Security and Data Breach Notification Safeguards
• Impact Aid for Public K-12 Education: Reauthorization Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
• Iraq: Oil and Gas Legislation, Revenue Sharing, and U.S. Policy
• Gangs in Central America
• Afro-Latinos in Latin America and Considerations for U.S. Policy
• Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America: An Overview and Selected Issues
• Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Conflicts, and U.S. Policy
• Turkey's 2007 Elections: Crisis of Identity and Power
• The Kaesong North-South Korean Industrial Complex
• The Proposed South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA)
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
• Cyprus: Status of U.N. Negotiations and Related Issues
• Pakistan-U.S. Relations
• Cambodia: Background and U.S. Relations
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress
• China/Taiwan: Evolution of the 'One China' Policy -- Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei
• U.S. Clothing and Textile Trade with China and the World: Trends Since the End of Quotas
• U.S.-Peru Economic Relations and the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
• The United Kingdom: Issues for the United States
• Does Price Transparency Improve Market Efficiency? Implications of Empirical Evidence in Other Markets for the Health Sector
• State E-Government Strategies: Identifying Best Practices and Applications
• Clinical Trials Reporting and Publication
• Freedom of Information Act Amendments: 110th Congress
• Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court
• Iraq and Al Qaeda
• Air Cargo Security
• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background, Status, and Issues
• Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Aircraft: Background and Issues for Congress
• Comparison of 'Wounded Warrior' Legislation: H.R. 1538 as Passed in the House and Senate
  
• American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics
  

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

Denver, CO now a "majority-minority" county

What in the world does "majority-minority" mean? This is a term used by the Census Bureau to designate a county as having 50% or more of its residents falling in a minority group. Denver, CO is the largest county to join the 303 other counties where the majority of the population is a minority (from this press release).

Where are they getting these numbers? From the Population estimates that are put out by the Census bureau every year. (They also inform the ever-changing population clock.)

Still want more demographic data? Check out the library's guide.

Karl Rove to leave White House

Karl Rove, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President, has announced that he will be leaving the White House on August 31st. You can read the statements of the President and Rove on the White House web site.

Want to read reactions to this resignation? Check out the Washington Post's "Karl Rove, Adviser to President Bush, to Resign" or the New York Times "Karl Rove, Top Strategist, Is Leaving the White House."

Want more information on the presidency? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Releases this week

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

Reports

• Defense Contract Management: DOD's Lack of Adherence to Key Contracting Principles on Iraq Oil Contract Put Government Interests at Risk. GAO-07-839, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-839
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07839high.pdf
• NASA: Progress Made on Strategic Human Capital Management, but Future Program Challenges Remain. GAO-07-1004, August 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1004
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071004high.pdf
• Military Training: Actions Needed to More Fully Develop the Army's Strategy for Training Modular Brigades and Address Implementation Challenges. GAO-07-936, August 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-936
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07936high.pdf
• Yucca Mountain: DOE Has Improved Its Quality Assurance Program, but Whether Its Application for a NRC License Will Be High Quality Is Unclear. GAO-07-1010, August 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1010
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071010high.pdf
• Financial Management: Long-standing Financial Systems Weaknesses Present a Formidable Challenge. GAO-07-914, August 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-914
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07914high.pdf

Correspondence

• Homeland Security: Responses to Posthearing Questions Related to the Department of Homeland Security's Integrated Financial Management Systems Challenges. GAO-07-1157R, August 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1157R
• Response to a post hearing question related to GAO's December 6, 2006 testimony on continued findings of fraud, waste, and abuse associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts. GAO-07-363R, January 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-363R

Presentations by the Comptroller General

• "Transforming Government to Meet the Demands of the 21st Century" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Federal Midwest Human Resources Council and the Chicago Federal Executive Board, in Chicago, Illinois. GAO-07-1188CG, August 7. [Text]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071188cg.pdf
• "U.S. Financial Condition and Fiscal Future Briefing" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the American Accounting Association, in Chicago, Illinois. GAO-07-1189CG, August 7. [Slides]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071189cg.pdf

Transportation Information and National Security

For those of you interested in Homeland Security issues, the Homeland Security Digital Library (free, but requires registration if you aren't at a depository library, like CU, that has already registered), is a great resource. You can sign up for an RSS feed that will send you the latest reports.

Yesterday brought us a RAND report "Freedom and Information: Assessing Publicly Available Data Regarding U.S. Transportation Infrastructure Security." This report discusses how much information on transportation infrastructure is publicly available and how hard it is to find this information.

Want more even more sources on homeland security issues? Check out the library's guide.

World Meteorological Organization

It's been a while since we have had a overview of an international organization, so today I thought I would take a look at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations and focuses on the "state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources" (from WMO in Brief). You can find information on weather, climate, water, oceans, environment, and much more from their web site.


There are a few resources on these pages that I find fun (and useful):

• World Weather Information Service: Wish you were Paris? Well, maybe today isn't the day to jump on the plane since it is predicting thunderstorms for the rest of the week. (Although it is only supposed to have highs in the low 70s for the next few days)
• Art Gallery: Tired of reading dry government reports? Why not check out some artwork that deal with weather and its effects.
  
• Gateway to UN System Work on Climate Change: Ok, this is a main UN site, but WMO is a sponsor and it is nice to go to one central location for all the reports and press releases on climate change.

Want to know more specifics on some of the work of WMO? Check out this recent article from the Washington Post on the effects of climate change on weather "Across Globe, Extremes of Heat and Rain: In Another Warm Year, a U.N. Agency Sees Unusual Weather and More to Come."

Want more resources? Check out the library's guides to climate change and climate and weather.

CRS reports from this week

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. This week brings us the following series of CRS reports, courtesy of Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

• State E-Government Strategies: Identifying Best Practices and Applications
• Congress's Contempt Power: A Sketch
• Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations
• Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa
• Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties
• Judicial Security: Responsibilities and Current Issues
  
• Judicial Security: Comparison of Legislation in the 110th Congress
  
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
  
• Homeland Security Department: FY2008 Appropriations
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2008
  
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2008 Appropriations
  
• Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2008 Appropriations
  
• Energy and Water Development: FY2008 Appropriations

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

Enterprise Surveys

As many business and economics students out there have no doubt discovered many international organizations have databases with statistical information for starting businesses abroad. I wanted to point out another free source from the World Bank, Enterprise Surveys.

This is a collection of information gathered from surveying over 66,000 firms in 98 countries on the business environment. It has data from how much time it takes to deal with taxes to corruption.

They even have a feature that lets you customize the data, by indicators, countries/groups, stratification (categorizing the data by firm size, sector, ownership, exporter), and statistics (average, count, standard deviation, minimum, maximum).

Still want more from the World Bank? Check out the library's guide.

Want more business and economic information? Check out the library's guides.

GAO Reports for this week

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

Reports

• Highlights of a GAO Forum: Modernizing Federal Disability Policy. GAO-07-934SP, August 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-934SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07934sphigh.pdf
• Information Security: Homeland Security Needs to Immediately Address Significant Weaknesses in Systems Supporting the US-VISIT Program. GAO-07-870, July 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-870
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07870high.pdf
• Border Security: Long-Term Strategy Needed to Keep Pace with Increasing Demand for Visas. GAO-07-847, July 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-847
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07847high.pdf
• Information Technology: FBI Following a Number of Key Acquisition Practices on New Case Management System, but Improvements Still Needed. GAO-07-912, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-912
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07912high.pdf
• National Animal Identification System: USDA Needs to Resolve Several Key Implementation Issues to Achieve Rapid and Effective Disease Traceback. GAO-07-592, July 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-592
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07592high.pdf
• Vehicle Fuel Economy: Reforming Fuel Economy Standards Could Help Reduce Oil Consumption by Cars and Light Trucks, and Other Options Could Complement These Standards. GAO-07-921, August 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-921
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07921high.pdf
• Federal Family Education Loan Program: Increased Department of Education Oversight of Lender and School Activities Needed to Help Ensure Program Compliance. GAO-07-750, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-750
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07750high.pdf
• Higher Education: Including Public, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Institutions in a Single Definition Is Unlikely to Immediately Affect Federal Spending, but Long-term Effects Are Unclear. GAO-07-857, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-857
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07857high.pdf
• Stabilizing Iraq: DOD Cannot Ensure That U.S.-Funded Equipment Has Reached Iraqi Security Forces. GAO-07-711, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-711
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07711high.pdf
• Border Security: Security of New Passports and Visas Enhanced, but More Needs to Be Done to Prevent Their Fraudulent Use. GAO-07-1006, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1006
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071006high.pdf
• Medicare Advantage: Required Audits of Limited Value. GAO-07-945, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-945
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07945high.pdf
• Defense Health Care: Under TRICARE, Children's Hospitals Paid More Than Other Hospitals After Accounting for Patient Complexity. GAO-07-947, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-947
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07947high.pdf
• Veterans Affairs: Improved Planning Needed to Guide Development and Implementation of Education Benefits System. GAO-07-1045, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1045
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071045high.pdf
• Environmental Protection: EPA-State Enforcement Partnership Has Improved, but EPA's Oversight Needs Further Enhancement. GAO-07-883, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-883
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07883high.pdf
• Airport Finance: Observations on Planned Airport Development Costs and Funding Levels, and the Administration's Proposed Changes in the Airport Improvement Program. GAO-07-885, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-885
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07885high.pdf
• Trade Adjustment Assistance: Industry Certification Would Likely Make More Workers Eligible, but Design and Implementation Challenges Exist. GAO-07-919, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-919
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07919high.pdf
• Corporate Shareholder Meetings: Issues Relating to Firms That Advise Institutional Investors on Proxy Voting. GAO-07-765, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-765
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07765high.pdf
• African American Children in Foster Care: Additional HHS Assistance Needed to Help States Reduce the Proportion in Care. GAO-07-816, July 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-816
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07816high.pdf
• Medicare: Geographic Areas Used to Adjust Physician Payments for Variation in Practice Costs Should Be Revised. GAO-07-466, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-466
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07466high.pdf
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact: Enhancing EMAC's Collaborative and Administrative Capacity Should Improve National Disaster Response. GAO-07-854, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-854
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07854high.pdf

Testimony

• Elections: Status of GAO's Review of Voting Equipment Used in Florida's 13th Congressional District by Nabajyoti Barkakati, senior-level technologist, Center for Technology and Engineering, before the Task Force on Florida-13, House Committee on House Administration. GAO-07-1167T, August 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1167T
• Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Observations on Federal Financial Implications by Stanley J. Czerwinski, director, strategic issues, before the House Committee on the Budget. GAO-07-1079T, August 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1079T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071079thigh.pdf
• State Department: Staffing and Foreign Language Shortfalls Persist Despite Initiatives to Address Gaps by Jess Ford, director, international affairs and trade, 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-07-1154T, August 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1154T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071154thigh.pdf
• United Nations Organizations: Enhanced Efforts Needed to Increase U.S. Employment at U.N. Agencies by Thomas Melito, director, international affairs and trade, 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-07-1152T, August 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1152T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071152thigh.pdf
• Capitol Power Plant: Status of Utility Tunnel Projects by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-1150T, August 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1150T
• Aviation Finance: Observations on the Current FAA Funding Structure's Support for Aviation Activities, Issues Affecting Future Costs, and Proposed Funding Changes by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-07-1163T, August 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1163T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071163thigh.pdf
• Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts to Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters and Address Related Recommendations and Legislation, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-1142T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1142T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071142thigh.pdf
• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of July 31, 2007, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-1149T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1149T
  

Correspondences

• DOD Is Making Progress in Adopting Best Practices for the Transformational Satellite Communications System and Space Radar but Still Faces Challenges. GAO-07-1029R, August 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1029R
• Vehicle Fuel Economy: Reforming Fuel Economy Standards Could Help Reduce Oil Consumption by Cars and Light Trucks, and Other Options Could Complement These Standards. GAO-07-921, August 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-921
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07921high.pdf
• Federal Family Education Loan Program: Increased Department of Education Oversight of Lender and School Activities Needed to Help Ensure Program Compliance. GAO-07-750, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-750
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07750high.pdf
• Higher Education: Including Public, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Institutions in a Single Definition Is Unlikely to Immediately Affect Federal Spending, but Long-term Effects Are Unclear. GAO-07-857, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-857
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07857high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts to Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters and Address Related Recommendations and Legislation, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-1142T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1142T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071142thigh.pdf
• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of July 31, 2007, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-1149T, July 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1149T
• Trade Adjustment Assistance: Industry Certification Would Likely Make More Workers Eligible, but Design and Implementation Challenges Exist. GAO-07-919, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-919
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07919high.pdf
• Corporate Shareholder Meetings: Issues Relating to Firms That Advise Institutional Investors on Proxy Voting. GAO-07-765, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-765
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07765high.pdf
• African American Children in Foster Care: Additional HHS Assistance Needed to Help States Reduce the Proportion in Care. GAO-07-816, July 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-816
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07816high.pdf
• Medicare: Geographic Areas Used to Adjust Physician Payments for Variation in Practice Costs Should Be Revised. GAO-07-466, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-466
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07466high.pdf
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact: Enhancing EMAC's Collaborative and Administrative Capacity Should Improve National Disaster Response. GAO-07-854, June 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-854
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07854high.pdf

Presentation by the Comptroller General

• "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour, before the Rotary Club, in Des Moines, Iowa. GAO-07-1164CG, July 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071164cg.pdf

Fisher Price toys recalled

Fisher-Price recalled about 967,000 toys today due to concerns that paint on the toys contains significant levels of lead. You can read the recall notice with product numbers on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site.

Want to check for additional recalls? The government has a web site with all recalls from food and medicine to cars and cosmetics, this site is at the easy to remember address of recalls.gov.

Want more details on what prompted this recall? Check out the Washington Post's "Lead Paint Leads to Fisher-Price Recall."

Still want more consumer information? Check out the library's guide.

Take that iPhone off AT&T

Starting in 2009 you will be able to buy a phone and use it on any network. That is one result of a decision regarding airwaves being sold next year by the federal government. You can view the press release, band market chart, and statements from Commissioners Martin, Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.

Want to read more about this decision? Check out the Washington Post article "FCC Approves Airwave Use For All Phones: Wireless Network Opened To Options if Not Firms."

Want more telecommunications resources? Check out the library's guide.