The summer means a break from school right? Well, while the K-12 crowd may not have to be in class there is data from the last time they were in coming out. Today the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results were released. There are two places you can go to look at these online. First, the state government has them online in a searchable database. But if you want options, check out the Denver Post's database.
Want to know how your community did? The Denver Post has an article "CSAP: DPS gains celebrated" on Denver. The Daily Camera has the article "More high-schoolers skip CSAPs" on Boulder's scores.
Want more education resources? Check out the library's guide.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
CRS Reports
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 brings us only a few reports on defense issues. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress
- Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues
- Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress
- U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Monday, July 28, 2008
NASA images
It is a Monday morning and summer, so rather then discuss the latest housing bill or some other exciting economic news I will instead give you something fun to look over. There is a new site called NASAImages.org, it is a collaboration between NASA and the Internet Archive. You can read all about this collaboration in the NASA press release, but really why not just spend some time playing in the system. The image quality is amazing and you can create fun little presentations (see this one of images of Earth if you want a sample).
Want more space resources? Check out the library's guide.
Want more space resources? Check out the library's guide.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Sanctions against Zimbabwe
President Bush released an Executive Order today "Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe." This order directs that the assets residing in the US of those meeting the criteria in the order cannot be "transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in." This action is a result of the continuing controversy over the elections held on June 27th.
To learn more about the sanctions, check out the Washington Post's "Bush Expands Sanctions Against Zimbabwe."
To read up a bit on the Zimbabwean government's perspective, check out Zimbabwe's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You will not find anything yet on the sanctions, but you will find under featured articles more discussion of the elections.
Looking for more resources on Zimbabwe? Check out the library's country guide.
To learn more about the sanctions, check out the Washington Post's "Bush Expands Sanctions Against Zimbabwe."
To read up a bit on the Zimbabwean government's perspective, check out Zimbabwe's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You will not find anything yet on the sanctions, but you will find under featured articles more discussion of the elections.
Looking for more resources on Zimbabwe? Check out the library's country 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 public transportation, tax and financial activity in the Cayman Islands, defined benefit pensions, and the U.S. Postal Service. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.Reports
- Cayman Islands: Business and Tax Advantages Attract U.S. Persons and Enforcement Challenges Exist. GAO-08-778, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-778
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08778high.pdf - Commercial Drivers: Certification Process for Drivers with Serious Medical Conditions. GAO-08-826, June 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-826
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08826high.pdf - DCAA Audits: Allegations That Certain Audits at Three Locations Did Not Meet Professional Standards Were Substantiated. GAO-08-857, July 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-857
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08857high.pdf - Defense Infrastructure: Services' Use of Land Use Planning Authorities. GAO-08-850, July 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-850
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08850high.pdf - Defined Benefit Pensions: Plan Freezes Affect Millions of Participants and May Pose Retirement Income Challenges. GAO-08-817, July 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-817
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08817high.pdf - Indian Health Service: IHS Mismanagement Led to Millions of Dollars in Lost or Stolen Property. GAO-08-727, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-727
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08727high.pdf - Influenza Pandemic: Federal Agencies Should Continue to Assist States to Address Gaps in Pandemic Planning. GAO-08-539, June 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-539
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08539high.pdf - Information Sharing Environment: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Improving Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress. GAO-08-492, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-492
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08492high.pdf - Long-Term Care Insurance: Oversight of Rate Setting and Claims Settlement Practices. GAO-08-712, June 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-712
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08712high.pdf - Nuclear Material: DOE Needs to Take Action to Reduce Risks Before Processing Additional Nuclear Material at the Savannah River Site's H-Canyon. GAO-08-840, July 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-840
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08840high.pdf - Public Transportation: Improvements Are Needed to More Fully Assess Predicted Impacts of New Starts Projects. GAO-08-844, July 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-844
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08844high.pdf - State Department: Comprehensive Strategy Needed to Improve Passport Operations. GAO-08-891, July 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-891
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08891high.pdf - U.S. Postal Service: Data Needed to Assess the Effectiveness of Outsourcing. GAO-08-787, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-787
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08787high.pdf
- Cayman Islands: Review of Cayman Islands and U.S. Laws Applicable to U.S. Persons' Financial Activity in the Cayman Islands, (GAO-08-1028SP), an E-supplement to GAO-08-778, July 2008. GAO-08-1028SP, July 24. [Internet only]
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1028SP - Defined Benefit Pensions: Survey of Sponsors of Large Defined Benefit Pension Plans (GAO-08-818SP, July 2008), an E-supplement to GAO-08-817. GAO-08-818SP, July 21. [Internet only]
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-818SP - Government Performance: 2007 Federal Managers Survey on Performance and Management Issues: (GAO-08-1036SP, July 2008), an E-supplement to GAO-08-1026T. GAO-08-1036SP, July 24. [Internet only]
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1036SP - U.S. Postal Service: USPS Has Taken Steps to Strengthen Network Realignment Planning and Accountability and Improve Communication, by Phillip R. Herr, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-1022T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1022T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081022thigh.pdf
- Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation Security Programs, but More Work Remains, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-1024T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1024T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081024thigh.pdf - Cayman Islands: Business Advantages and Tax Minimization Attract U.S. Persons and Enforcement Challenges Exist, by Michael Brostek, director, strategic issues, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-08-779T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-779T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08779thigh.pdf - Commercial Drivers: Certification Process for Drivers with Serious Medical Conditions, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-1030T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1030T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081030thigh.pdf - Government Performance: Lessons Learned for the Next Administration on Using Performance Information to Improve Results, by Bernice Steinhardt, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-1026T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1026T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081026thigh.pdf - Highway Public-Private Partnerships: Securing Potential Benefits and Protecting the Public Interest Could Result from More Rigorous Up-front Analysis, by JayEtta Z. Hecker, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure, Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-08-1052T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1052T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081052thigh.pdf - Human Capital: Selected Agencies Have Implemented Key Features of Their Senior Executive Performance-Based Pay Systems, but Refinements Are Needed, by J. Christopher Mihm, managing director, strategic issues, 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-08-1019T, July 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1019T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081019thigh.pdf - Information Sharing: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-637T, July 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-637T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08637thigh.pdf - Long-Term Care Insurance: State Oversight of Rate Setting and Claims Settlement Practices, by John E. Dicken, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-08-1016T, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1016T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081016thigh.pdf - Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Progress Report: Some Gains Made, Updated Strategy Needed, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-1021T, July 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1021T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081021thigh.pdf
- Agencies Believe Strengthening International Agreements to Improve Collection of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties Would Be Difficult and Ineffective. GAO-08-876R, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-876R - Developing Countries: U.S. Financing for Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative Currently Experiencing a Shortfall. GAO-08-888R, July 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-888R
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Oil Shale in the West
If you read the Denver Post you may have noticed the headline story "Oil-Shale Debate Moves West." In case you want to read up on all the latest moves I thought I would highlight some resources:
- BLM Proposed Rules on Oil Shale Management This is the Regulations.gov site for the proposed rules. From here you can make and read comments on these rules.
- Senator Salazar's responses If you keep reading today, you will notice there is a bit of a discussion going on about the reaction by the Senator to this proposal, so here are his statements.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
CRS Reports
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 brings us CRS reports on the funding, nuclear weapons, and much more. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- Davis-Bacon Act Coverage and the State Revolving Fund Program Under the Clean Water Act
- The U.S. Science and Technology Workforce
- Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Russia: Statutory Procedures for Congressional Consideration
- The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: Issues for Congress
- Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals
- Presidential Appointments to Full-time Positions in Executive Departments During the 109th Congress, 2005-2006
- The Interagency Security Committee and Security Standards for Federal Buildings
- Earthquakes: Risk, Monitoring, Notification, and Research
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Friday, July 18, 2008
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 the Small Business Administration, highway safety, hunger in Africa, fair lending, and food safety. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.Reports
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Should Take Action to Improve the Credibility and Accuracy of Its Cost Estimate for the Decennial Census. GAO-08-554, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-554
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08554high.pdf - Air Traffic Control: FAA Uses Earned Value Techniques to Help Manage Information Technology Acquisitions, but Needs to Clarify Policy and Strengthen Oversight. GAO-08-756, July 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-756
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08756high.pdf - Broadcasting to Cuba: Weaknesses in Contracting Practices Reduced Visibility into Selected Award Decisions. GAO-08-764, July 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-764
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08764high.pdf - Defense Space Activities: DOD Needs to Further Clarify the Operationally Responsive Space Concept and Plan to Integrate and Support Future Satellites. GAO-08-831, July 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-831
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08831high.pdf - Emergency Preparedness: States Are Planning for Medical Surge, but Could Benefit from Shared Guidance for Allocating Scarce Medical Resources. GAO-08-668, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-668
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08668high.pdf - Export-Import Bank: Performance Standards for Small Business Assistance Are in Place but Ex-Im Is in the Early Stages of Measuring Their Effectiveness. GAO-08-915, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-915
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08915high.pdf - Fair Lending: Race and Gender Data Are Limited for Nonmortgage Lending. GAO-08-698, June 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-698
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08698high.pdf - Food Safety: Selected Countries' Systems Can Offer Insights into Ensuring Import Safety and Responding to Foodborne Illness. GAO-08-794, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-794
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08794high.pdf - Gulf Opportunity Zone: States Are Allocating Federal Tax Incentives to Finance Low-Income Housing and a Wide Range of Private Facilities. GAO-08-913, July 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-913
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08913high.pdf - Los Alamos National Laboratory: Long-Term Strategies Needed to Improve Security and Management Oversight. GAO-08-694, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-694
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08694high.pdf - Medicare Part B Imaging Services: Rapid Spending Growth and Shift to Physician Offices Indicate Need for CMS to Consider Additional Management Practices. GAO-08-452, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-452
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08452high.pdf - National Flood Insurance Program: Financial Challenges Underscore Need for Improved Oversight of Mitigation Programs and Key Contracts. GAO-08-437, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-437
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08437high.pdf - Nuclear Security: NRC and DHS Need to Take Additional Steps to Better Track and Detect Radioactive Materials. GAO-08-598, June 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-598
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08598high.pdf - Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: A More Strategic Approach Could Improve Human Capital Management. GAO-08-624, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-624
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08624high.pdf
- Small Business Administration: Additional Actions Are Needed to Certify and Monitor HUBZone Businesses and Assess Program Results. GAO-08-643, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-643
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08643high.pdf - Tax Debt Collection: IRS Has a Complex Process to Attempt to Collect Billions of Dollars in Unpaid Tax Debts. GAO-08-728, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-728
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08728high.pdf - Traffic Safety: NHTSA's Improved Oversight Could Identify Opportunities to Strengthen Management and Safety in Some States. GAO-08-788, July 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-788
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08788high.pdf
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: A More Strategic Approach Could Improve Human Capital Management. GAO-08-624, June 12. [Report revised to correct graphic on page 20.]
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-624
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08624high.pdf
- Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration May Face Resource and Other Challenges in Developing a System to Screen All Cargo Transported on Passenger Aircraft, 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-08-959T, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-959T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08959thigh.pdf - Biosurveillance: Preliminary Observations on Department of Homeland Security's Biosurveillance Initiatives, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-960T, July 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-960T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08960thigh.pdf - Department of Labor: Case Studies from Ongoing Work Show Examples in Which Wage and Hour Division Did Not Adequately Pursue Labor Violations, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-08-973T, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-973T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08973thigh.pdf - Fair Labor Standards Act: Better Use of Available Resources and Consistent Reporting Could Improve Compliance, by Anne-Marie F. Lasowski, acting director, education, workforce, and income security, before the House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-08-962T, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-962T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08962thigh.pdf - Fair Lending: Race and Gender Data Are Limited for Nonmortgage Lending, by Orice M. Williams, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-08-1023T, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1023T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081023thigh.pdf - Force Structure: Preliminary Observations on the Progress and Challenges Associated with Establishing the U.S. Africa Command, by John H. Pendleton, director, defense capabilities and management issues, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-947T, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-947T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08947thigh.pdf - Highway Safety: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Implement Changes in the Highway Safety Improvement Program Since SAFETEA-LU, by Katherine A. Siggerud, managing director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-08-1015T, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1015T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081015thigh.pdf - HUBZone Program: SBA's Control Weaknesses Exposed the Government to Fraud and Abuse, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations and Bruce A. Causseaux, senior level specialist, forensic audits and special investigations, , before the House Committee on Small Business. GAO-08-964T, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-964T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08964thigh.pdf - National Airspace System: DOT and FAA Actions Will Likely Have a Limited Effect on Reducing Delays during Summer 2008 Travel Season, by Susan A. Fleming, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-08-934T, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-934T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08934thigh.pdf - Nuclear Detection: Preliminary Observations on the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's Efforts to Develop a Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, by David C. Maurer, acting director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-999T, July 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-999T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08999thigh.pdf - Nuclear Weapons: Views on NNSA's Proposal to Transform the Nuclear Weapons Complex, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-1032T, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1032T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081032thigh.pdf - Small Business Administration: Additional Actions Are Needed to Certify and Monitor HUBZone Businesses and Assess Program Results, by William B. Shear, director, financial markets and community investment, before the House Committee on Small Business. GAO-08-975T, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-975T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08975thigh.pdf - Traffic Safety Programs: Progress, States' Challenges, and Issues for Reauthorization, by Katherine A. Siggerud, managing director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-08-990T, July 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-990T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08990thigh.pdf - U.S. Capitol Police: Progress Made in Addressing Prior GAO Recommendations on Administrative and Management Operations, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. GAO-08-1000T, July 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1000T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d081000thigh.pdf
- Emergency Management: GAO Responses to Post-hearing Questions for the Record. GAO-08-1003R, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1003R - Financial Management: FBI Has Designed and Implemented Stronger Internal Controls over Sentinel Contractor Invoice Review and Equipment Purchases, but Additional Actions Are Needed. GAO-08-716R, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-716R - Food Insecurity Persists in Sub-Saharan Africa despite Efforts to Halve Hunger by 2015. GAO-08-1007R, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-1007R - Hurricane Katrina: Trends in the Operating Results of Five Hospitals in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. GAO-08-681R, July 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-681R - Personnel Clearances: Questions for the Record Regarding Security Clearance Reform. GAO-08-965R, July 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-965R - Rapid Acquisition of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles. GAO-08-884R, July 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-884R
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
President Bush's Press Conference
This morning President Bush held a press conference, starting with a brief statement on the economy and some of the actions taken. You can read or watch the press conference on the White House web site.
In addition to the press conference, the White House has also updated two pages on energy and economy. On the energy page you can find a fact sheet on the President's lifting of the executive ban on offshore drilling, this does not lift the Congressional ban though and President Bush urged Congress to lift that ban in his press conference.
Want to read some analysis of the press conference? Check out the Washington Post's "Bush Says U.S. Economy Still Fundamentally Strong."
In addition to the press conference, the White House has also updated two pages on energy and economy. On the energy page you can find a fact sheet on the President's lifting of the executive ban on offshore drilling, this does not lift the Congressional ban though and President Bush urged Congress to lift that ban in his press conference.
Want to read some analysis of the press conference? Check out the Washington Post's "Bush Says U.S. Economy Still Fundamentally Strong."
Congressional Research Service Reports
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 brings us CRS reports on the FISA, wind power, appropriations, and much more. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- The Global Nuclear Detection Architecture: Issues for Congress
- The Enron Loophole
- Speculation and Energy Prices: Legislative Responses
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations
- Global Health: Appropriations to USAID Programs from FY2001 through FY2008
- U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework and Status of Forces Agreement: Congressional Response
- International HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: Key Changes to U.S. Programs and Funding
- "Phantom Traffic" -- Problems Billing for the Termination of Telephone Calls: Issues for Congress
- Health Care for Noncitizens in Immigration Detention
- Intellectual Property in Industrial Designs: Issues in Innovation and Competition
- Forest Carbon Markets: Potential and Drawbacks
- Foreign Investment and National Security: Economic Considerations
- Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007: The Role of the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate
- Medicare: Payments to Physicians
- Building an Interagency Cadre of National Security Professionals: Proposals, Recent Experience, and Issues for Congress
- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: A Sketch of Selected Issues
- Membership of the 110th Congress: A Profile
- Public-Private Partnerships in Highway and Transit Infrastructure Provision
- The Future Role of U.S. Trade Policy: An Overview
- Emergency Unemployment Compensation
- Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's Financial Problems: Frequently Asked Questions
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Federal Government
Before I start this blog post I want to state I am not an economist. Yes, I know how to find the GINI index and all sorts of other fun economic data, but I don't always know what it means. That said, here is my attempt to provide some information on what the government is doing in regards to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
First, the Treasury:
First, the Treasury:
- Friday's statement, which is very short and has no details.
- Sunday's statement, which still doesn't have details on exactly how they are going to do it, but does provide specifics on how they are going to move forward during this "current housing correction."
- Sunday's statement, which is only a paragraph long, but gives the "Federal Reserve Bank of New York the authority to lend to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should such lending prove necessary. "
- Senator Dodd (Chair of Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs) statement on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
- H.R.3221 this is the Housing Reform Bill just passed on Friday in the Senate that Senator Dodd is referring to in his statement.
- Senate vote on H.R. 3221
- "Rescue Debate: Paulson Insists Fannie, Freddie Holders Lose" from Wall Street Journal
- "U.S. Unveils Plan to Aid Mortgage Giants: Federal Officials Offer Sweeping Proposal to Help Shore Up Fannie, Freddie" from the Washington Post
Friday, July 11, 2008
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 the reconstruction of Afghanistan, email management and federal records, and pension plans of state and local governments. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.Reports
- Afghanistan Reconstruction: Progress Made in Constructing Roads, but Assessments for Determining Impact and a Sustainable Maintenance Program Are Needed. GAO-08-689, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-689
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08689high.pdf - Army Working Capital Fund: Actions Needed to Reduce Carryover at Army Depots. GAO-08-714, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-714
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08714high.pdf - Department of Energy: New Loan Guarantee Program Should Complete Activities Necessary for Effective and Accountable Program Management. GAO-08-750, July 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-750
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08750high.pdf - Federal Records: National Archives and Selected Agencies Need to Strengthen E-Mail Management. GAO-08-742, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-742
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08742high.pdf - Telecommunications: FCC Needs to Improve Performance Management and Strengthen Oversight of the High-Cost Program. GAO-08-633, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-633
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08633high.pdf - VA Health Care: Ineffective Controls over Medical Center Billings and Collections Limit Revenue from Third-Party Insurance Companies. GAO-08-675, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-675
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08675high.pdf
- Telecommunications: Survey of State Regulatory Commissions (GAO-08-662SP, June 2008), an E-supplement to GAO-08-633. GAO-08-662SP, June 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-662SP
- Air Force Procurement: Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest, by Daniel I. Gordon, deputy general counsel, before the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-991T, July 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-991T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08991thigh.pdf - Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of June 27, 2008, by Terrell G. Dorn, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-900T, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-900T - State and Local Government Pension Plans: Current Structure and Funded Status, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Joint Economic Committee. GAO-08-983T, July 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-983T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08983thigh.pdf - Surface Transportation: Principles Can Guide Efforts to Restructure and Fund Federal Programs, by JayEtta Z. Hecker, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-08-744T, July 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-744T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08744thigh.pdf
- Bureau of Justice Statistics Funding to States to Improve Criminal Records. GAO-08-898R, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-898R - Initial Results on Availability of Terrorism Insurance in Specific Geographic Markets. GAO-08-919R, July 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-919R - Management Report: Opportunities for Improvements in FDIC's Internal Controls and Accounting Procedures. GAO-08-863R, July 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-863R
- "Preparing the Accountability Profession for 21st Century Challenges," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Institute of Internal Auditors' 2008 International Conference, in San Francisco, California. GAO-08-1017CG, July 7, 2008
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d081017cg.pdf
Thursday, July 10, 2008
No jalapeños? No tomatoes? But how can I make salsa?
The FDA has added raw jalapeños and raw serrano peppers to the list of foods for high risk populations (elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems) should avoid, in addition to raw red plum, red Roma, or red round tomatoes grown outside of the areas listed on the web site.
Due to the scale of the problem the Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak has been getting the most press, but there have been 16 additional recalls/alerts since this outbreak began on June 3rd (the full national alert went out on June 6th). Want to read the other recalls? Check out the FDA recalls and alerts web page (which lets you subscribe via email if you are interested).
Want more recalls then just those related to food? Check out recalls.gov, which combines recalls from six federal agencies at one site.
Want a history of this outbreak with some comments from officials? Check out the Washington Post's "Officials Add Jalapeños To Salmonella Warning."
Want more on information on the food supply? Check out the library guide.
Due to the scale of the problem the Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak has been getting the most press, but there have been 16 additional recalls/alerts since this outbreak began on June 3rd (the full national alert went out on June 6th). Want to read the other recalls? Check out the FDA recalls and alerts web page (which lets you subscribe via email if you are interested).
Want more recalls then just those related to food? Check out recalls.gov, which combines recalls from six federal agencies at one site.
Want a history of this outbreak with some comments from officials? Check out the Washington Post's "Officials Add Jalapeños To Salmonella Warning."
Want more on information on the food supply? Check out the library guide.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
G-8 tackles greenhouse gas emissions
The G-8 is meeting this week and has released preliminary information on a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Before we look into this I thought it might be nice to explain a little about the G-8.
The G-8 is a group of eight countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The leaders of these eight countries meet once a year to discuss issues on a global scale (as well as having their representatives meet more often on specific issues). Want to learn more about the summit and the G-8, but in a much simpler form? Check out the kid's page, developed by Japan who is hosting this year's summit.
The big agreement to come out of the summit thus far is in regards to countries cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The last major international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, the Kyoto Protocol, was never ratified by the United States, and focused on getting industrialized countries to cut emissions by 2012 (see web site for more details). The G-8 statement can be found online, but you will notice that while the discussions mentioned a 50% cut this statement does not set specific goals. For more details, such as press conferences and statements, check out the summit web site.
Want to read more about this statement and reactions from developing countries, such as China and India? Check out the Washington Post's "G-8 Conference Tackles Global Warming Treaty: China, India Still Balk at Efforts to Curb Greenhouse Gases."
Want more on climate change? Check out the library's guide.
The G-8 is a group of eight countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The leaders of these eight countries meet once a year to discuss issues on a global scale (as well as having their representatives meet more often on specific issues). Want to learn more about the summit and the G-8, but in a much simpler form? Check out the kid's page, developed by Japan who is hosting this year's summit.
The big agreement to come out of the summit thus far is in regards to countries cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The last major international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, the Kyoto Protocol, was never ratified by the United States, and focused on getting industrialized countries to cut emissions by 2012 (see web site for more details). The G-8 statement can be found online, but you will notice that while the discussions mentioned a 50% cut this statement does not set specific goals. For more details, such as press conferences and statements, check out the summit web site.
Want to read more about this statement and reactions from developing countries, such as China and India? Check out the Washington Post's "G-8 Conference Tackles Global Warming Treaty: China, India Still Balk at Efforts to Curb Greenhouse Gases."
Want more on climate change? Check out the library's guide.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
CRS reports
Despite the holiday week a few Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports were discovered. 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 brings us CRS reports on veterans, appropriations and weapons. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- U.S.-Russian Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Issues for Congress
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Appropriations for FY2008 and FY2009
- A Brief History of Veterans’ Education Benefits and Their Value
- Veterans Affairs: Historical Budget Authority, Fiscal Years 1940 through 2007
- Cluster Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Bertha first hurricane of the season
The first hurricane of the 2008 season has formed in the Atlantic today. Hurricane Bertha's maximum sustained winds reached 90 mph this morning and are expected to increase over the next 24 hours. To watch the hurricane track and get more information on the speeds, check out the Bertha section of the NOAA web site.
Want to know all the names of the hurricanes/tropical cyclones this year? Check out the name list. The names alternate between male and female names and the list is reused every seven years, unless a "storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity."
Want more climate and weather resources? Check out the library's guide.
Want to know all the names of the hurricanes/tropical cyclones this year? Check out the name list. The names alternate between male and female names and the list is reused every seven years, unless a "storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity."
Want more climate and weather resources? Check out the library's guide.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Fewer Jobs in the United States
I know tomorrow is the start of a long weekend for many of us, but the government released numbers today that indicate that employers are cutting jobs across the United States. The Employment Situation Summary reports that the non-farm employment is down 62,000 in June. If you want to examine these numbers in more detail over a longer period, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics's Current Employment Statistics web site.
Want some media reaction? Check out the Washington Post's "Employers Cut Jobs for 6th Straight Month" or the Wall Street Journal's "Economists React: 'Consistent Picture of Weakness' on Jobs."
Still need more business and economic information? Check out the library's guides.
Want some media reaction? Check out the Washington Post's "Employers Cut Jobs for 6th Straight Month" or the Wall Street Journal's "Economists React: 'Consistent Picture of Weakness' on Jobs."
Still need more business and economic information? Check out the library's guides.
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 defense acquisitions, Medicaid, and nuclear safety. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.Reports
- Defense Acquisitions: A Knowledge-Based Funding Approach Could Improve Major Weapon System Program Outcomes. GAO-08-619, July 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-619
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08619high.pdf - Electronic Payments: Many Programs Electronically Disburse Federal Benefits, and More Outreach Could Increase Use. GAO-08-645, June 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-645
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08645high.pdf - Internal Revenue Service: Status of GAO Financial Audit and Related Financial Management Report Recommendations. GAO-08-693, July 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-693
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08693high.pdf - Medicaid: CMS Needs More Information on the Billions of Dollars Spent on Supplemental Payments. GAO-08-614, May 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-614
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08614high.pdf - Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers: CMS Should Encourage States to Conduct Mortality Reviews for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. GAO-08-529, May 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-529
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08529high.pdf - Nuclear Safety: NRC's Oversight of Fire Protection at U.S. Commercial Nuclear Reactor Units Could Be Strengthened. GAO-08-747, June 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-747
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08747high.pdf - Nuclear Waste: DOE Lacks Critical Information Needed to Assess Its Tank Management Strategy at Hanford. GAO-08-793, June 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-793
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08793high.pdf - VA Health Care: Facilities Have Taken Action to Provide Language Access Services and Culturally Appropriate Care to a Diverse Veteran Population. GAO-08-535, May 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-535
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08535high.pdf
- Depot Maintenance: DOD's Report to Congress on Its Public-Private Partnerships at Its Centers of Industrial and Technical Excellence (CITEs) Is Not Complete and Additional Information Would Be Useful. GAO-08-902R, July 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-902R
- Highlights of the Joint Forum on Tax Compliance: Options for Improvement and Their Budgetary Potential. GAO-08-703SP, June 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-703SP
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08703sphigh.pdf
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Congressional Research Service Reports
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 brings us CRS reports on the FISA, wind power, appropriations, and much more. 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:
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
- The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11
- Conventional Warheads For Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress
- Iran’s Economy
- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773
- Awards of Attorneys’ Fees by Federal Courts and Federal Agencies
- Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status
- Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees’ Right to Habeas Corpus
- Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Might One Be Utilized In Iraq?
- The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility: Issues for Congress
- International Trade: Rules of Origin
- Defense: FY2009 Authorization and Appropriations
- Clean Water Act: Legislation Concerning Discharges from Recreational Boats
- Wind Power in the United States: Technology, Economic, and Policy Issues
- International Drug Control Policy
- Possible Federal Revenue from Oil Development of ANWR and Nearby Areas
- Veterans Benefits: An Overview
- Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies: FY2009 Appropriations
Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
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