Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Taxpayer receipt

So maybe you just mailed in your check to the IRS or maybe you are one of the lucky folks who got a tax refund. Either way you might be interested in a new tool the White House released today.


This tool lets you discover where your tax dollars went in the budget. You might be interested to know that a married family with two children making $80,000 probably put $258.86 of their $9,983 in taxes toward interest. Which is still less then the $1,1015.97 they put towards national defense, but this tool will let you see where the US budget is spent. Unsurprisingly, the biggest costs are national defense and health care.

No matter what your position on cutting the deficit (view the White House and Rep. Paul Ryan's plans), this tool helps illustrate the ways the money is spent.

Still want more? Check out the library's guide to debt and budget information.
Posted by Jennie at 3:00 PM
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Monday, April 18, 2011

One Year Anniversary of the Worst Accidental Oil Spill in History

Wednesday, April 20, marks the first anniversary of the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil refinery, and the beginning of what is now known as "the world's worst accidental oil spill."

This NASA image from June 19, 2010, shows the Gulf after 60 days of continuous oil spillage.


The Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected such a large area of the Gulf of Mexico and nearby U.S. coastline, that it took some independent and creative efforts to help citizens understand just how vast area affected by the oil spill was, with the Google Maps mash-up, If It Were My Home probably the most often cited.

In a timely commemoration of the event, the Government Information library has received its print copy of the Chief Counsel's Report from the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The report, "Macondo: The Gulf Oil Disaster," (SuDoc No. PR 44.8:D 36/M 23) is also available from the Commission's Web site online.

Image of an affected sandbar taken from the Commission's online media presentation.


In addition to the printed findings, the Commission released a multimedia series of background information about the accident. The introductory video is available by clicking on the image below.


Before the Chief Counsel's Report -- which details many of the mechanical aspects of attempting to close the broken pipeline -- the Commission released in January of this year its Final Report, "Deep Water: The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling," (SuDoc No. PR 44.8:D 36/G 95) which attempts to take a more systemic view of the accident and offshore drilling as an industry.

There are numerous treatments of the issue provided by different U.S. federal agencies and branches, with just under 50 documents appearing in the Libraries' catalog. The EPA's Restore the Gulf Task Force recently published a One Year Later Press Pack of information about the spill, and NOAA has an online presentation of the disaster, along with an Image Gallery stunningly devoid of any photographs that seem to capture the damage done to the American landscape and natural wildlife. This is strangely in parallel with the media ban that was placed in coastal areas affected by the oil spill, as detailed in the CNN report below.



The lack of a definite picture on the environmental affect of this disaster seems to have led to media speculation that the oil -- 4.9 million barrels -- has simply, and quietly, disappeared. What is far more likely is that the true damage done to the waters surrounding the United States have yet, literally, to surface.
Posted by William Cuthbertson at 2:48 PM
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Monday, April 11, 2011

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This set of publications from GAO investigates the environment, post office, government spending, and many other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Testimonies
  • Employment and Training Programs: Opportunities Exist for Improving Efficiency, by Andrew Sherrill, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-506T, April 7.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-506T     
  • Indian Issues: Observations on Some Unique Factors That May Affect Economic Activity on Tribal Lands, by Anu K. Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-11-543T, April 7.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-543T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11543thigh.pdf 
  • Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Potential Duplication in Federal Teacher Quality and Employment and Training Programs, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. GAO-11-509T, April 6.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-509T     
  • Federal Real Property: Progress Made on Planning and Data, but Unneeded Owned and Leased Facilities Remain, by David J. Wise, director, physical infrastructure issues, and Brian J. Lepore, director, defense capabilities and management issues, before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-11-520T, April 6.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-520T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11520thigh.pdf 
  • Aviation Security: TSA Is Taking Steps to Validate the Science Underlying Its Passenger Behavior Detection Program, but Efforts May Not Be Comprehensive, by Stephen M. Lord, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. GAO-11-461T, April 6.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-461T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11461thigh.pdf 
  • 2010 Census: Preliminary Lessons Learned Highlight the Need for Fundamental Reforms, 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-11-496T, April 6.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-496T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11496thigh.pdf 
  • State Department Inspector General: Actions to Address Independence and Effectiveness Concerns Are Under Way, by Jeanette M. Franzel, managing director, financial management and assurance, before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-11-382T, April 5.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-382T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11382thigh.pdf 
  • Human Services Programs: Opportunities to Reduce Inefficiencies, by Kay E. Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Human Resources, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-11-531T, April 5.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-531T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11531thigh.pdf 
  • VA Real Property: Realignment Progressing, but Greater Transparency about Future Priorities Is Needed, by Lorelei St. James, acting director, physical infrastructure issues, before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-11-521T, April 5.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-521T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11521thigh.pdf 
  • H-1B Visa Program: Multifaceted Challenges Warrant Re-examination of Key Provisions, statement for the record by Andrew Sherrill, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-11-505T, March 31.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-505T     
  • Border Security: DHS Progress and Challenges in Securing the U.S. Southwest and Northern Borders, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-508T, March 30.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-508T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11508thigh.pdf 
  • DOD Cost Overruns: Trends in Nunn-McCurdy Breaches and Tools to Manage Weapon Systems Acquisition Costs, by Michael Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-499T, March 29.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-499T     
  • Measuring Disaster Preparedness: FEMA Has Made Limited Progress in Assessing National Capabilities, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-260T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-260T     
  • Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Programs and Implementation of GAO Recommendations, by Thomas J. McCool, director, applied research and methods, before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. GAO-11-476T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-476T     
  • Recovery Act: Status of Department of Energy's Obligations and Spending, by Franklin Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-11-483T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-483T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11483thigh.pdf 
  • Oil and Gas Leasing: Past Work Identifies Numerous Challenges with Interior's Oversight, by Franklin Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-11-487T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-487T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11487thigh.pdf 
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation: More Progress Needed in Implementing Recommendations for IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-11-482T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-482T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11482thigh.pdf 
  • Information Technology: Investment Oversight and Management Have Improved but Continued Attention Is Needed, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-454T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-454T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11454thigh.pdf 
  • Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-467T, March 17.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-467T     
  • Government Performance: GPRA Modernization Act Provides Opportunities to Help Address Fiscal, Performance, and Management Challenges, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the united states, before the Senate Committee on the Budget. GAO-11-466T, March 16.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-466T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11466thigh.pdf 
  • 401(k) Plans: Issues Involving Securities Lending in Plan Investments, by Charles A. Jeszeck, acting director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-11-359T, March 16.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-359T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11359thigh.pdf 
  • Cybersecurity: Continued Attention Needed to Protect Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure and Federal Information Systems, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-11-463T, March 16.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-463T     
  • Homeland Security: Improvements in Managing Research and Development Could Help Reduce Inefficiencies and Costs, by David C. Maurer, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. GAO-11-464T, March 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-464T     
  • Maritime Security: Updating U.S. Counterpiracy Action Plan Gains Urgency as Piracy Escalates off the Horn of Africa, by Stephen L. Caldwell, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-11-449T, March 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-449T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11449thigh.pdf 
  • Joint Strike Fighter: Restructuring Should Improve Outcomes, but Progress Is Still Lagging Overall, by Michael Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-11-450T, March 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-450T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11450thigh.pdf 
  • Border Security: Preliminary Observations on the Status of Key Southwest Border Technology Programs, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-11-448T, March 15.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-448T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11448thigh.pdf 
  • Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, by Gene L. Dodaro, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-11-453T, March 11.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-453T     
  • Flood Insurance: Public Policy Goals Provide a Framework for Reform, by Orice Williams Brown, managing director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing, and Community Opportunity, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-11-429T, March 11.
    http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-429T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11429thigh.pdf

Correspondences
Posted by Jennie at 2:50 PM
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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Follow the Gov Info Library on Twitter @cubgovpubs

Want to keep up with new blog posts from the CU Boulder Government Information Library? Each time a new post is created on our blog, an update is automatically feed to our Twitter account at http://twitter.com/cubgovpubs.


We hope you'll follow us there to keep current on our blog posts about new documents received and reports released, interesting looks at current and historical Government Publications, and, of course, new tutorial videos.

For even more Library news, you can follow the CU Boulder Libraries through our campus-wide Twitter feed and Facebook.
Posted by William Cuthbertson at 12:00 PM
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New Documents for April 6, 2011: The West Side Story Project

Is the Federal Government getting onto the "Glee" bandwagon? You be the judge...

The West Side Story Project celebrates the 50th anniversary of the musical and attempts to address the ever present problem of youth and gang violence.

Using the themes of the classic Broadway and movie musical West Side Story, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (the COPS Office) is publishing the West Side Story Project Toolkit (WSSP) to address youth violence and youth–police relations. This resource provides an opportunity for law enforcement to partner with local theater, schools, youth-based organizations, and community groups to develop new approaches to gang prevention, youth–police relations, and cultural conflict.

The publication provides directions, suggestions, and examples to demonstrate how police, theater, youth organizations, and others can work together to use creative strategies to reduce conflict, solve problems, and build relationships.

Posted by Government Publications Reference at 9:10 AM
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Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Double Dipping, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Report, and History by Commission

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday stoked the national conversation on recession and recovery -- as well as his own Presidential Campaign -- by suggesting that the nation was headed toward a "Double Dip," or a second recession coming after a short-term period of growth which itself followed a recession. This notion had also recently been voiced by mainstream media outlets such as the Christian Science Monitor and CNBC. With these fears spreading, patrons have the opportunity to inform themselves on the causes and outcomes of the most recent global recession.

The Government Information Library recently received its print copy of the final report of The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. The report, whose full title is "The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report: Final report of the National Commission on the Causes of the Financial and Economic Crisis in the United States" is also available to download at the FCIC Web site, and via GPO's FDsys.

Click on the image to be taken to a downloadable version of the FCIC Report.


The Gov Info Library had first posted on the Commission in January of 2010, and a search for "Financial Crisis" here will reveal various reports and documents as far back as 2007 about how the Crisis promised to affect financial regulation in the United States, as well as economic crises that came later to the European Union and Mexico.

While not quite a layperson's guide, the Rport is helpful in making clear, and putting into detail, some of the now-familiar information about the mortgage crisis that followed the larger national economic decline. Below, for example, is a map from the chapter "The Foreclosure Crisis" showing states shaded by percent of loans with negative equity. Nevada's rate is visibly over 50%, with Colorado's percentage between 15-29% -- not a ranking to be proud of.

Another table from Chapter 7: The Mortgage Machine shows the sharp increase in "repo loans," or loans, according to the Report's glossary, "where the borrower sells securities to the lender as collateral and agrees to repurchase them at a higher price within a short period, often within one day."



While fully appreciating the scope of the FCIC Report -- involving a financial system that might be tough for even professional economists to unveil -- might be challenging, the document joins a list of those created by Commission whose topics are key to understanding American history. These documents reveal not only how the government sometimes fell far short of its goals, but also how deeply it disappointed its people -- either by passive response or negligence -- in ways citizens can still clearly remember. Below are several commonly known Commission reports notable for the deep impact the events they investigate have had on the American psyche.
Posted by William Cuthbertson at 3:29 PM
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