Remember last summer when Toyota cars were getting recalled for unexplained acceleration problems? Today, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finally released a report on the "potential electronics-based causes for unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles" (press release). NASA engineers actually conducted this study and determined that there were no "electronic flaws capable of producing the large throttle openings required to create dangerous high-speed unintended acceleration incidents." Want to read the report or the documents leading up to the need for this report? NHTSA has set up a web site.
Want more transportation information? Check out the library's guide.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Monday, February 07, 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 military, education, data collection, and many other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.Reports
- Medicaid and CHIP: Given the Association between Parent and Child Insurance Status, New Expansions May Benefit Families. GAO-11-264, February 4.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-264
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11264high.pdf - Electronic Records Archive: National Archives Needs to Strengthen Its Capacity to Use Earned Value Techniques to Manage and Oversee Development. GAO-11-86, January 13.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-86
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1186high.pdf - Child Support Enforcement: Departures from Long-term Trends in Sources of Collections and Caseloads Reflect Recent Economic Conditions. GAO-11-196, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-196
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11196high.pdf - Electronic Health Records: DOD and VA Should Remove Barriers and Improve Efforts to Meet Their Common System Needs. GAO-11-265, February 2.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-265
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11265high.pdf - Border Security: Enhanced DHS Oversight and Assessment of Interagency Coordination Is Needed for the Northern Border. GAO-11-97, December 17.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-97
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1197high.pdf - Hearing Loss Prevention: Improvements to DOD Hearing Conservation Programs Could Lead to Better Outcomes. GAO-11-114, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-114
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11114high.pdf - Veterans' Health Care: VA Uses a Projection Model to Develop Most of Its Health Care Budget Estimate to Inform the President's Budget Request. GAO-11-205, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-205
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11205high.pdf - Financial Management: NOAA Needs to Better Document Its Policies and Procedures for Providing Management and Administration Services. GAO-11-226, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-226
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11226high.pdf - Rail Transit: FTA Programs Are Helping Address Transit Agencies' Safety Challenges, but Improved Performance Goals and Measures Could Better Focus Efforts. GAO-11-199, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-199
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11199high.pdf - Afghanistan Security: Afghan Army Growing but Additional Trainers Needed; Long-term Costs Not Determined. GAO-11-66, January 27.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-66
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1166high.pdf - Payday Lending: Federal Law Enforcement Uses a Multilayered Approach to Identify Employees in Financial Distress. GAO-11-147, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-147
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11147high.pdf - Ballistic Missile Defense: DOD Needs to Address Planning and Implementation Challenges for Future Capabilities in Europe. GAO-11-220, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-220
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11220high.pdf
Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_45.html - VA Health Care: VA Spends Millions on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research and Incorporates Research Outcomes into Guidelines and Policy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Services. GAO-11-32, January 24.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-32
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1132high.pdf - Troubled Asset Relief Program: Third Quarter 2010 Update of Government Assistance Provided to AIG and Description of Recent Execution of Recapitalization Plan. GAO-11-46, January 20.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-46
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1146high.pdf - Military Personnel: Personnel and Cost Data Associated with Implementing DOD's Homosexual Conduct Policy. GAO-11-170, January 20.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-170
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11170high.pdf - 2010 Tax Filing Season: IRS's Performance Improved in Some Key Areas, but Efficiency Gains Are Possible in Others. GAO-11-111, December 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-111 - Consumer Finance: Regulatory Coverage Generally Exists for Financial Planners, but Consumer Protection Issues Remain. GAO-11-235, January 18.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-235
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11235high.pdf - Employment Verification: Federal Agencies Have Taken Steps to Improve E-Verify, but Significant Challenges Remain. GAO-11-146, December 17.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-146
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11146high.pdf - Maritime Security: Federal Agencies Have Taken Actions to Address Risks Posed by Seafarers, but Efforts Can Be Strengthened. GAO-11-195, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-195
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11195high.pdf - Defense Acquisitions: Further Action Needed to Better Implement Requirements for Conducting Inventory of Service Contract Activities. GAO-11-192, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-192
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11192high.pdf - Food Labeling: FDA Needs to Reassess Its Approach to Protecting Consumers from False or Misleading Claims. GAO-11-102, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-102
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11102high.pdf
Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_43.html - Rail Safety: Federal Railroad Administration Should Report on Risks to the Successful Implementation of Mandated Safety Technology. GAO-11-133, December 15.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-133
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11133high.pdf - H-1B Visa Program: Reforms Are Needed to Minimize the Risks and Costs of Current Program. GAO-11-26, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-26
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1126high.pdf - Program Evaluation: Experienced Agencies Follow a Similar Model for Prioritizing Research. GAO-11-176, January 14.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-176
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11176high.pdf - Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Programs and Implementation of GAO Recommendations. GAO-11-74, January 12.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-74
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1174high.pdf - Electricity Grid Modernization: Progress Being Made on Cybersecurity Guidelines, but Key Challenges Remain to be Addressed. GAO-11-117, January 12.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-117
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11117high.pdf
- Airport and Airway Trust Fund: Declining Balance Raises Concerns over Ability to Meet Future Demands, by Gerald Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-11-358T, February 3.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-358T - Contract Audits: Role in Helping Ensure Effective Oversight and Reducing Improper Payments, by Jeanette M. Franzel, managing director, financial management and assurance, and Gayle L. Fischer, assistant director, financial management and assurance, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-331T, February 1.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-331T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11331thigh.pdf
- Rail Transit: Reliability of FTA's Rail Accident Database. GAO-11-217R, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-217R - Defense Business Transformation: DOD Needs to Take Additional Actions to Further Define Key Management Roles, Develop Measurable Goals, and Align Planning Efforts. GAO-11-181R, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-181R - Defense Infrastructure: Further Actions Needed to Support Air Force Electronic Warfare Evaluation Simulator Relocation Plans. GAO-11-123R, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-123R - Ryan White CARE Act: Estimated Effect of Draft Stop-Loss Provision. GAO-11-322R, January 21.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-322R - Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act: Role of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in the Municipal Securities Markets and Its Past Funding. GAO-11-267R, January 18.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-267R
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Fiscal Year 2012 Performance Plan. GAO-11-343SP, January 31.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-343SP - Summary of GAO's Performance and Financial Information Fiscal Year 2010. GAO-11-3SP, January 24.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-3SP
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2010 Tax Forms at Norlin Library
Tax Season has arrived again, but this year we have made a few changes to help patrons find their Tax Forms and Tax Form Instructions online and at Norlin Library.
The Tax Forms and Information page -- our regular home for all things tax-related in Government Information -- has been updated in two significant ways: Now, instead of a blog post that will explicitly list which tax forms are available in Norlin, patrons can visit the Tax Forms and Information Page and download an excel spreadsheet that details that same information. This process decreases the time it takes for the Gov Info staff to update the Web site with the most recent information.
A second change is the addition of a new printable guide: Finding and Printing 2010 Tax Forms. This guide explains how to locate specific tax forms online, and how those forms can be printed here in Norlin Library. Pre-printed copies of the guides are available in the Government Information Library, and at the main Research Desk on the 2nd floor of Norlin.
We hope these chances will be useful to our University and Public patrons who have come to rely on the Government Information Library for tax forms. As always, any questions or comments can be directed to us at govpubs@colorado.edu or on the phone at (303) 492-8834.
The Tax Forms and Information page -- our regular home for all things tax-related in Government Information -- has been updated in two significant ways: Now, instead of a blog post that will explicitly list which tax forms are available in Norlin, patrons can visit the Tax Forms and Information Page and download an excel spreadsheet that details that same information. This process decreases the time it takes for the Gov Info staff to update the Web site with the most recent information.
A second change is the addition of a new printable guide: Finding and Printing 2010 Tax Forms. This guide explains how to locate specific tax forms online, and how those forms can be printed here in Norlin Library. Pre-printed copies of the guides are available in the Government Information Library, and at the main Research Desk on the 2nd floor of Norlin.
We hope these chances will be useful to our University and Public patrons who have come to rely on the Government Information Library for tax forms. As always, any questions or comments can be directed to us at govpubs@colorado.edu or on the phone at (303) 492-8834.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
State of the Union
I am sure all of you listened to/watched the State of the Union last night, but just in case you missed it, here are some resources to check out:
- State of the Union This is the official White House page on the State of the Union address. You can watch the video and read the transcript here. In addition, there are additional ways to continue the discussion through social media, online web meetings and much more.
- Republican Address to the Nation As is tradition, the party the President does not belong to gives an address after the State of the Union. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin gave this address and you can view it and/or read his address on his web site.
- Washington Post State of the Union Want to read what the hometown DC paper is saying about the address? Here you will get articles analyzing the addresses in depth.
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 congress, national security, and much more. 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.
- Congressional Oversight Manual
- National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: A Glimpse of the Legal Background and Recent Amendments
- Ricin: Technical Background and Potential Role in Terrorism
- Economics and National Security: Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy
Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)