The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated Native American housing, emergency preparedness, combating nuclear terrorism, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Defense Acquisitions: Missile Defense Transition Provides Opportunity to Strengthen Acquisition Approach. GAO-10-311, February 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-311
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10311high.pdf
Native American Housing: Tribes Generally View Block Grant Program as Effective, but Tracking of Infrastructure Plans and Investments Needs Improvement. GAO-10-326, February 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-326
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10326high.pdf
Related Product - Native American Housing: GAO Survey of Tribal Housing Officials (GAO-10-373SP, February 2010), an E-supplement to GAO-10-326.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-373SP
Postsecondary Education: College and University Endowments Have Shown Long-Term Growth, While Size, Restrictions, and Distributions Vary. GAO-10-393, February 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-393
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10393high.pdf
Military Personnel: Additional Actions Are Needed to Strengthen DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs. GAO-10-215, February 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-215
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10215high.pdf
Emergency Preparedness: FEMA Faces Challenges Integrating Community Preparedness Programs into Its Strategic Approach. GAO-10-193, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-193
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10193high.pdf
Combating Nuclear Terrorism: Actions Needed to Better Prepare to Recover from Possible Attacks Using Radiological or Nuclear Materials. GAO-10-204, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-204
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10204high.pdf
Federal Education Funding: Overview of K-12 and Early Childhood Education Programs. GAO-10-51, January 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-51
Oil and Gas Bonds: Bonding Requirements and BLM Expenditures to Reclaim Orphaned Wells. GAO-10-245, January 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-245
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10245high.pdf
Border Security: Better Usage of Electronic Passport Security Features Could Improve Fraud Detection. GAO-10-96, January 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-96
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1096high.pdf
Human Capital: Continued Opportunities Exist for FDA and OPM to Improve Oversight of Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentives. GAO-10-226, January 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-226
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10226high.pdf
Correspondences
Higher Education: Information on Incentive Compensation Violations Substantiated by the U.S. Department of Education. GAO-10-370R, February 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-370R
Support for Low-Income Individuals and Families: A Review of Recent GAO Work. GAO-10-342R, February 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-342R
Coast Guard: Service Has Taken Steps to Address Historic Personnel Problems, but It Is too Soon to Assess the Impact of These Efforts. GAO-10-268R, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-268R
DOD Assessments of Supplier-Base Availability for Future Defense Needs. GAO-10-317R, January 27.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-317R
Testimonies
Coast Guard: Observations on the Requested Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, Past Performance, and Current Challenges, by Stephen Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-411T, February 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-411T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10411thigh.pdf
Military Personnel: DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs Need to Be Further Strengthened, by Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, and Randy Hite, Director, Information Technology Architecture and Systems, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform . GAO-10-405T, February 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-405T
Aviation Safety: Preliminary Information on Aircraft Icing and Winter Operations, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-441T, February 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-441T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10441thigh.pdf
Veterans' Disability Benefits: Opportunities Remain for Improving Accountability for and Access to Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program, by Daniel Bertoni, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-450T, February 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-450T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10450thigh.pdf
2010 Census: Key Enumeration Activities Are Moving Forward, but Information Technology Systems Remain a Concern, by Robert Goldenkoff, 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-10-430T, February 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-430T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10430thigh.pdf
2010 Census: Operational Changes Made for 2010 Position the U.S. Census Bureau to More Accurately Classify and Identify Group Quarters, by Robert Goldenkoff, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in Brooklyn, New York. GAO-10-452T, February 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-452T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10452thigh.pdf
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
No More Tax Break for Candy, Soda, Etc. in Colorado
There will be no more state sales tax exemption on your purchase of M&Ms. Or Pepsi. Or downloaded software. Today Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law bills that would end state tax exemptions on a number of items, from candy and soda (HB 1191) to direct mail materials (HB 1189). As the Denver Post reports, some of these bills will take effect as soon as Monday, March 1 (see "Ritter Signs Bill to End Tax Breaks, Help Balance Budget").
The bills are intended to balance the state's budget. A press release on Governor Ritter's web site states that, collectively, the bills should generate $15.6 million this fiscal year and $132.6 million next fiscal year for the state. On both this press release and the Post article, you can find a complete list of the nine bills that have become law and the items that would no longer be tax exempt:
The bills are intended to balance the state's budget. A press release on Governor Ritter's web site states that, collectively, the bills should generate $15.6 million this fiscal year and $132.6 million next fiscal year for the state. On both this press release and the Post article, you can find a complete list of the nine bills that have become law and the items that would no longer be tax exempt:
- direct mail (HB 1189)
- industrial fuels (HB 1190
- candy and soda (HB 1191)
- software (HB 1192)
- online sales by out-of-state retailers (HB 1193)
- "non-essential" restaurant items (HB 1194)
- agricultural compounds (HB 1195)
- alternative-fuel vehicles (HB 1196)
- business net-operating losses (HB 1199)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on APEC, Pakistan, food aid programs, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by 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.
- The 2009 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meetings and U.S. Trade Policy in Asia
- Architect of the Capitol: Appointment Process and Current Legislation
- Direct Overt U.S. Aid and Military Reimbursements to Pakistan, FY2002-FY2011 (table)
- Government Interventions in Response to Financial Turmoil
- International Food Aid Programs: Background and Issues
- Ozone Air Quality Standards: EPA’s Proposed January 2010 Revisions
- Paraguay: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Toyota Hearing Takes Place Today
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform's Hearing on the Toyota Recall is happening right now. Catch streaming video of the hearing on the Committee's website, either by going to the Committee's home page (if you're watching it today) or going to the calendar entry and clicking Connect to the Live Webcast. The hearing is intended to look at the U.S. government’s response to Toyota's recall of many models and to better understand the equipment problems and their resolutions (see our related blog post from a few weeks ago). For non-government news coverage prior to the hearing, see the NPR article "Toyota CEO Faces Harsh Spotlight on Capitol Hill."
It's really interesting to be able to watch the hearings live on the web, but what if you want to read transcripts of old congressional hearings, such as "Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979 : Hearings before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate" or "The Future of DOE's Automotive Research Programs: Hearing Before the Committee on Science, House of Representatives"? Hearings dating back to 1995 are freely available on GPO Access. If you're on campus or have off-campus access to our databases, you can find electronic versions of congressional hearings, dating as far back as 1824, in LexisNexis Congressional. All hearings are searchable in Chinook, the library catalog, which is accessible to all (search for print or electronic versions of the hearings).
To find additional congressional materials, take a look at our guide.
It's really interesting to be able to watch the hearings live on the web, but what if you want to read transcripts of old congressional hearings, such as "Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979 : Hearings before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate" or "The Future of DOE's Automotive Research Programs: Hearing Before the Committee on Science, House of Representatives"? Hearings dating back to 1995 are freely available on GPO Access. If you're on campus or have off-campus access to our databases, you can find electronic versions of congressional hearings, dating as far back as 1824, in LexisNexis Congressional. All hearings are searchable in Chinook, the library catalog, which is accessible to all (search for print or electronic versions of the hearings).
To find additional congressional materials, take a look at our guide.
Monday, February 22, 2010
EPA's Rulemaking Gateway
Trying to follow the process that is US regulations? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just launched a tool to make the process at least more understandable at one government agency. The Rulemaking Gateway provides an overview of the process and lets you see what is happening along each step of the way. You can read a description of the resource from the EPA, or follow my tour below.
- Phases The first tab lets you view the rules by phases, which is probably the way most of us want to look at rules. My favorite add-in here is the pre-proposal tool. In here you can see what the EPA is planning and why they are planning particular actions.
- Rules This is a link to the current proposal on the reconsideration of the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This particular rule has garnered a lot of discussion and lawsuits, which you can actually read about here on this page. The nice thing about this display is that is breaks out the major parts of the rule in a slightly less legal sounding way: Abstract, timeline, potential effects, participate, regulatory review, and citations and authorities.
- Topics and Effects In addition to sorting by phases you can also find all the rules, no matter what phase they are in by topic and effect.
Friday, February 19, 2010
GAO Reports
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated electronic health care information exchange, surface coal mining, the Recovery Act, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Report
License Suspensions for Nondriving Offenses: Practices in Four States That May Ease the Financial Impact on Low-Income Individuals. GAO-10-217, February 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-217
Electronic Personal Health Information Exchange: Health Care Entities' Reported Disclosure Practices and Effects on Quality of Care. GAO-10-361, February 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-361
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10361high.pdf
Disaster Assistance: Federal Assistance for Permanent Housing Primarily Benefited Homeowners; Opportunities Exist to Better Target Rental Housing Needs GAO-10-17, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-17
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1017high.pdf
Surface Coal Mining: Financial Assurances for, and Long-Term Oversight of, Mines with Valley Fills in Four Appalachian States. GAO-10-206, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-206
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10206high.pdf
Recovery Act: Project Selection and Starts Are Influenced by Certain Federal Requirements and Other Factors. GAO-10-383, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-383
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10383high.pdf
Recovery Act: IRS Quickly Implemented Tax Provisions, but Reporting and Enforcement Improvements Are Needed. GAO-10-349, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-349
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10349high.pdf
Correspondence
CNMI Immigration and Border Control Databases. GAO-10-345R, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-345R
Report
License Suspensions for Nondriving Offenses: Practices in Four States That May Ease the Financial Impact on Low-Income Individuals. GAO-10-217, February 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-217
Electronic Personal Health Information Exchange: Health Care Entities' Reported Disclosure Practices and Effects on Quality of Care. GAO-10-361, February 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-361
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10361high.pdf
Disaster Assistance: Federal Assistance for Permanent Housing Primarily Benefited Homeowners; Opportunities Exist to Better Target Rental Housing Needs GAO-10-17, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-17
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1017high.pdf
Surface Coal Mining: Financial Assurances for, and Long-Term Oversight of, Mines with Valley Fills in Four Appalachian States. GAO-10-206, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-206
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10206high.pdf
Recovery Act: Project Selection and Starts Are Influenced by Certain Federal Requirements and Other Factors. GAO-10-383, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-383
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10383high.pdf
Recovery Act: IRS Quickly Implemented Tax Provisions, but Reporting and Enforcement Improvements Are Needed. GAO-10-349, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-349
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10349high.pdf
Correspondence
CNMI Immigration and Border Control Databases. GAO-10-345R, February 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-345R
Thursday, February 18, 2010
DoD Publishes Review of Fort Hood Shootings
Early in December 2009, we blogged on the November 5 shootings by an Army psychiatrist at Fort Hood, Texas. At the time, shooter Major Nidal Hassan had been charged with 32 counts of premeditated murder, and the Army had promised to conduct a review of the incident.
The Department of Defense (DoD) released its independent review, Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood, in January. The 86-page report discusses the Army's oversight of Hassan, personnel policies, force protection, emergency response, and mental health care support at DoD. The executive summary states that "DoD force protection policies are not optimized for countering internal threats. . . . The lack of clarity for comprehensive indicators limits commanders' and supervisors' ability to recognize specific threats."
The Army is still planning an accountability review to determine if Army leaders failed to properly supervise Hassan (see this January 21 press release).
For help in finding more DoD resources, take a look at our guide.
The Department of Defense (DoD) released its independent review, Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood, in January. The 86-page report discusses the Army's oversight of Hassan, personnel policies, force protection, emergency response, and mental health care support at DoD. The executive summary states that "DoD force protection policies are not optimized for countering internal threats. . . . The lack of clarity for comprehensive indicators limits commanders' and supervisors' ability to recognize specific threats."
The Army is still planning an accountability review to determine if Army leaders failed to properly supervise Hassan (see this January 21 press release).
For help in finding more DoD resources, take a look at our guide.
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on minority rights, Senate filibusters, recess appointments, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by 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.
- Cloture Attempts on Nominations
- "Entrenchment" of Senate Procedure and the "Nuclear Option" for Change: Possible Proceedings and Their Implications
- Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate
- "Holds" in the Senate
- Minority Rights and Senate Procedures
- Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions
- Senate Policy on "Holds": Action in the 110th 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, February 15, 2010
Boulder Struggles to Progress in Saving the Planet
This weekend's Wall Street Journal highlighted the city of Boulder as an example of how even the most environmentally friendly of communities struggle to save energy, reduce pollution, and protect the environment (read "Even Boulder Finds It Isn't Easy Going Green"). The article contends that "as Congress considers how to encourage Americans to conserve more energy, Boulder stands as a cautionary tale about the limits of good intentions," because its subsidized energy audits have not spurred residents and businesses to change enough of their energy-use practices, and its carbon tax has been unsuccessful in reducing carbon emissions to below-1990 levels (in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol).
Where can you find local government resources about Boulder's environmental efforts? Take a look at its home page on Sustainability, which includes links to Boulder County's sustainability mission statement, goals, and objectives, the ClimateSmart Loan Program, and the Community Guide to Boulder's Climate Action Plan (October 2009, includes a progress report).
Need help finding related resources? Takes a look at our guides to Boulder government resources (city and county) and the environment.
Where can you find local government resources about Boulder's environmental efforts? Take a look at its home page on Sustainability, which includes links to Boulder County's sustainability mission statement, goals, and objectives, the ClimateSmart Loan Program, and the Community Guide to Boulder's Climate Action Plan (October 2009, includes a progress report).
Need help finding related resources? Takes a look at our guides to Boulder government resources (city and county) and the environment.
Friday, February 12, 2010
GAO Reports
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO released just one report--on the Recovery Act and IRS tax provisions. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Report
Recovery Act: IRS Quickly Implemented Tax Provisions, but Reporting and Enforcement Improvements Are Needed. GAO-10-349, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-349
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10349high.pdf
Report
Recovery Act: IRS Quickly Implemented Tax Provisions, but Reporting and Enforcement Improvements Are Needed. GAO-10-349, February 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-349
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10349high.pdf
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How Is NHTSA Handling Toyota Recall?
Auto-maker Toyota has recalled a number of its models due to gas pedal entrapment, sticky gas pedals, and brake problems (see this Consumer Advisory by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration). In fact, a week ago the NHTSA announced that it was launching an investigation of the 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid due to braking issues. Is this agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation doing enough to address automobile safety problems? In an interview today on Democracy Now!, former NHTSA head Joan Claybrook claims that it is not (view a transcript or audio/video clip here). She contends that Toyota has known about problems with its models since 2004 and that the NHTSA hasn't been doing enough to investigate the company.
Where can you find government information about vehicle defects and recalls? The latest NHTSA studies and reports are listed here, although you may not find any materials dealing with recalls. Links to Monthly Defects Investigation Reports are listed on this NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation web page. The ODI web site also contains older data for download from NHTSA/ODI databases, and drivers can File a Safety Complaint.
For a perspective from a different branch of government, you can look forward to the March 2 hearing the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation: "Toyota's Recalls and the Government's Response."
For more resources, take a look at our guide to transportation.
Where can you find government information about vehicle defects and recalls? The latest NHTSA studies and reports are listed here, although you may not find any materials dealing with recalls. Links to Monthly Defects Investigation Reports are listed on this NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation web page. The ODI web site also contains older data for download from NHTSA/ODI databases, and drivers can File a Safety Complaint.
For a perspective from a different branch of government, you can look forward to the March 2 hearing the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation: "Toyota's Recalls and the Government's Response."
For more resources, take a look at our guide to transportation.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Federal Government in Washington DC
What to blog on when the federal government in DC has been shut down for most of the week and looks to stay that way for a while.
First, let's get some snow totals. The 9.8 inches that feel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the past two days breaks the preliminary record for most snowfall in a season set in 1899! It would get the total to 54.9 inches (with at least a month of snow possibilities left) shattering the previous record of 54.4 inches. You can read all about this record from the National Weather Service.
Next, when are they going back to work? Well, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a message stating that the federal agencies (except for emergency employees) are not expected to work tomorrow, February 11th. The Senate is scheduled to convene at 2:30 PM, the House is not scheduled to meet until Friday at 1 PM.
Finally, some pictures. There is a live web cam of the US Capitol where right now at 5:30 you can see the wind blowing the snow in the lights. The White House has a couple pictures of the first storm over the weekend of the White House and Bo playing. But if you want to see fun stuff, like people walking down the middle of main streets that normally are jammed full of cars, check out the Washington Post's Photo Gallery.
Still want more? Then it is time to go check out on of those library guides, maybe the Climate and Weather guide.
First, let's get some snow totals. The 9.8 inches that feel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the past two days breaks the preliminary record for most snowfall in a season set in 1899! It would get the total to 54.9 inches (with at least a month of snow possibilities left) shattering the previous record of 54.4 inches. You can read all about this record from the National Weather Service.
Next, when are they going back to work? Well, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a message stating that the federal agencies (except for emergency employees) are not expected to work tomorrow, February 11th. The Senate is scheduled to convene at 2:30 PM, the House is not scheduled to meet until Friday at 1 PM.
Finally, some pictures. There is a live web cam of the US Capitol where right now at 5:30 you can see the wind blowing the snow in the lights. The White House has a couple pictures of the first storm over the weekend of the White House and Bo playing. But if you want to see fun stuff, like people walking down the middle of main streets that normally are jammed full of cars, check out the Washington Post's Photo Gallery.
Still want more? Then it is time to go check out on of those library guides, maybe the Climate and Weather guide.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on Iran, Twitter, taxes, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no freely-available central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS and 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.
- Social Networking and Constituent Communications: Member Use of Twitter During a Two-Month Period in the 111th Congress
- Metropolitan Transportation Planning
- Veterans Health Care: Project HERO Implementation
- Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy
- The Rum Excise Tax Cover-Over: Legislative History and Current Issues
- Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile
- Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
- African-American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
- Budget Enforcement Procedures: Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule
- Business Investment and Employment Tax Incentives to Stimulate the Economy
- Campaign Finance Policy After Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: Issues and Options for Congress
- Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- Climate Change and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Looking to 2020
- Constitutionality of Excluding Aliens from the Census for Apportionment and Redistricting Purposes
- CRS Issue Statement on Veterans' Benefits
- Cuba: Issues for the 111th Congress
- Federal Employee Benefits and Same-Sex Partnerships
- Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Expenditures
- Immigration: Terrorist Grounds for Exclusion and Removal of Aliens
- Insurance and Financial Regulatory Reform in the 111th Congress
- Iran: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
- Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
- Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons
- Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions
- Potential Farm Sector Effects of 2009 H1N1 "Swine Flu": Questions and Answers
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): Selected Regulatory and Legislative Issues
- Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
- Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues
- The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases
- The Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): State Insolvency and Federal Loans to States
- Unauthorized Alien Students, Higher Education, and In-State Tuition Rates: A Legal Analysis
- Water Infrastructure Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations
Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Space Shuttle Endeavour Launched Today
Space shuttle Endeavour launched at 4:14 a.m. EST today from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after being delayed by one day because of clouds. Endeavour's mission is to "deliver a third connecting module - the Tranquility node - to the International Space Station and a seven-windowed cupola to be used as a control room for robotics." You can keep track of the space shuttle's progress on this web page of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
NASA's web site provides a variety of information about current and past space shuttle missions, including these web pages:
NASA's web site provides a variety of information about current and past space shuttle missions, including these web pages:
- STS-130 Mission Information: the mission of the crew aboard Endeavour, and profiles of its six crew members.
- Space Shuttle Overview: a description of the shuttle's structure
- Space Shuttle Mission Archives: photos and information about U.S. space shuttle missions dating back to 1981.
- The Future of NASA: Space Policy Issues Facing Congress
(January 14, 2010)
Friday, February 05, 2010
GAO Reports
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the Troubled Asset Relief Program, NASA, highway research, biomonitoring, and other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.
Reports
Troubled Asset Relief Program: Treasury Needs to Strengthen Its Decision-Making Process on the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility. GAO-10-25, February 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-25
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1025high.pdf
Highway Research: The Second Strategic Highway Research Program Addresses the Four Required Areas, but Some Anticipated Research Was Not Funded. GAO-10-248, February 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-248
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10248high.pdf
Littoral Combat Ship: Actions Needed to Improve Operating Cost Estimates and Mitigate Risks in Implementing New Concepts. GAO-10-257, February 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-257
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10257high.pdf
NASA: Assessments of Selected Large-Scale Projects. GAO-10-227SP, February 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-227SP
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10227sphigh.pdf
Testimony
Biomonitoring: EPA Could Make Better Use of Biomonitoring Data, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-10-419T, February 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-419T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10419thigh.pdf
NASA: Key Management and Program Challenges, by Cristina Chaplain, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-10-387T, February 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-387T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10387thigh.pdf
Correspondence
Defense Acquisitions: Observations on the Department of Defense Service Contract Inventories for Fiscal Year 2008. GAO-10-350R, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-350R
Reports
Troubled Asset Relief Program: Treasury Needs to Strengthen Its Decision-Making Process on the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility. GAO-10-25, February 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-25
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1025high.pdf
Highway Research: The Second Strategic Highway Research Program Addresses the Four Required Areas, but Some Anticipated Research Was Not Funded. GAO-10-248, February 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-248
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10248high.pdf
Littoral Combat Ship: Actions Needed to Improve Operating Cost Estimates and Mitigate Risks in Implementing New Concepts. GAO-10-257, February 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-257
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10257high.pdf
NASA: Assessments of Selected Large-Scale Projects. GAO-10-227SP, February 1.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-227SP
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10227sphigh.pdf
Testimony
Biomonitoring: EPA Could Make Better Use of Biomonitoring Data, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. GAO-10-419T, February 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-419T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10419thigh.pdf
NASA: Key Management and Program Challenges, by Cristina Chaplain, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-10-387T, February 3.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-387T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10387thigh.pdf
Correspondence
Defense Acquisitions: Observations on the Department of Defense Service Contract Inventories for Fiscal Year 2008. GAO-10-350R, January 29.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-350R
Thursday, February 04, 2010
2011 Budget of the U.S. Government Now Online
President Obama's Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 2011 is now available on FDsys (Federal Digital System), the Government Printing Office's upgraded, more user-friendly version of GPO Access. You can download the 2010 budget from this same location.
On the FDsys web page for the 2011 budget, issued by the Office of Management and Budget, you can download separate files for the full Budget, Analytical Perspectives, Appendix, Historical Tables, or the Public Budget Database. FDsys gives you the option of downloading these documents in their entirety or just downloading separate sections within them.
Want more resources about the U.S. government's budget? Take a look at our guide.
On the FDsys web page for the 2011 budget, issued by the Office of Management and Budget, you can download separate files for the full Budget, Analytical Perspectives, Appendix, Historical Tables, or the Public Budget Database. FDsys gives you the option of downloading these documents in their entirety or just downloading separate sections within them.
Want more resources about the U.S. government's budget? Take a look at our guide.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
New Food Distribution Method Launched in Haiti
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has introduced a new, coupon-based food distribution program in Haiti, where 2 million people are still estimated to need food (see "Coupons Feed Chaos in Efforts to Feed Haitians" in the New York Times).
The program offers women colored and dated vouchers that they can exchange for 25-kilogram (55-pound) rice rations at one of 16 centers in Port-au-Prince. The World Food Programme web site explains that "WFP is targeting primarily female heads of household, as women are usually the first to be pushed out of line if people get hungry and desperate at food distributions. The women are the ones who get the coupons to collect food for the family and they alone are allowed into the distribution compound." You can read more about the coupon program in this UN New Centre article. For a description of the logistical details of distributing food in Haiti, take a look at this story by Adventist Development and Relief Agency International--one of WFP's partner relief organizations for food distribution in Haiti. The article is posted on the web site of ReliefWeb, which is a good source for information about relief efforts in Haiti.
For additional resources about food distribution, take a look at our guide to Foreign Relations and International Aid.
The program offers women colored and dated vouchers that they can exchange for 25-kilogram (55-pound) rice rations at one of 16 centers in Port-au-Prince. The World Food Programme web site explains that "WFP is targeting primarily female heads of household, as women are usually the first to be pushed out of line if people get hungry and desperate at food distributions. The women are the ones who get the coupons to collect food for the family and they alone are allowed into the distribution compound." You can read more about the coupon program in this UN New Centre article. For a description of the logistical details of distributing food in Haiti, take a look at this story by Adventist Development and Relief Agency International--one of WFP's partner relief organizations for food distribution in Haiti. The article is posted on the web site of ReliefWeb, which is a good source for information about relief efforts in Haiti.
For additional resources about food distribution, take a look at our guide to Foreign Relations and International Aid.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on arms sales, influenza, the Congressional Review Act, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS and 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.
- Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions
- Project BioShield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress
- Charitable Contributions for Haiti’s Earthquake Victims
- U.S. and South Korean Cooperation in the World Nuclear Energy Market: Major Policy Considerations
- Argentina’s Defaulted Sovereign Debt: Dealing with the ‘Holdouts’
- Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
- A U.S.-centric Chronology of the International Climate Change Negotiations
- Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
- Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2010
- Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments
- Guantanamo Detention Center: Legislative Activity in the 111th Congress
- Iran's Nuclear Program: Status
- North Korea: Terrorism List Removal
- Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Legal Issues
- State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations
- The Federal Budget: Current and Upcoming Issues
- The U.S. Postal Service's Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
- U.S. Periods of War
- Uruguay: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Colorado Senate
If you've been checking the Denver Post online today, you've probably noticed that the Colorado Senate passed a bill that would put new restrictions on medical marijuana use in the state (see this early afternoon update, or check out the Post's Marijuana News page for links to all sorts of information about the issue).
Senate Bill 10-109, A Bill for an Act Concerning Regulation of the Physician-Patient Relationship for Medical Marijuana Patients, would prevent doctors from writing recommendations inside medical marijuana dispensaries and would require them to examine a person's medical history and conduct a full exam before writing a medical marijuana recommendation for that person. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives.
You can track SB 10-109, including its history and all versions of the bill, on this web page of the Colorado General Assembly. For additional resources on the Colorado legislature, see our guide.
To find government resources about drugs and related laws and regulations, see this topical guide.
Senate Bill 10-109, A Bill for an Act Concerning Regulation of the Physician-Patient Relationship for Medical Marijuana Patients, would prevent doctors from writing recommendations inside medical marijuana dispensaries and would require them to examine a person's medical history and conduct a full exam before writing a medical marijuana recommendation for that person. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives.
You can track SB 10-109, including its history and all versions of the bill, on this web page of the Colorado General Assembly. For additional resources on the Colorado legislature, see our guide.
To find government resources about drugs and related laws and regulations, see this topical guide.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)