State, Local Governments Get More Say in Federal Environmental Decision-Making
"Answering the call of state and local governments to give them more involvement in the development of federal environmental rules, EPA has a new policy to broaden its consulting efforts with intergovernmental partners when new regulations and policies cost more than $25 million each. This is a significant lowering of the previous consultation threshold of $100 million."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Releases Reading First Impact Study Final Report
"U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the release of the Institute of Education Sciences' report: Reading First Impact Study: Final Report. This report presents an additional year of data from 2006-2007 on student reading comprehension and classroom instruction. In addition, the report includes information on the impact of the program on first-grade students' decoding skills.
The study was conducted in 248 schools (125 Reading First schools, 123 non-Reading First schools) in 18 sites (17 districts and 1 statewide program) in 13 states. It measured Reading First schools against other schools in Reading First districts—schools that may have implemented the same reforms."
"U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the release of the Institute of Education Sciences' report: Reading First Impact Study: Final Report. This report presents an additional year of data from 2006-2007 on student reading comprehension and classroom instruction. In addition, the report includes information on the impact of the program on first-grade students' decoding skills.
The study was conducted in 248 schools (125 Reading First schools, 123 non-Reading First schools) in 18 sites (17 districts and 1 statewide program) in 13 states. It measured Reading First schools against other schools in Reading First districts—schools that may have implemented the same reforms."
Scientific Assessment Presents Status, Expectations for Ozone Layer
"A new NOAA-led assessment of the global ozone layer says the U.S. has reduced by 97-98 percent the production of ozone damaging substances since the late 1980s. The assessment is one in a series of synthesis and assessment reports coordinated by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.
The report also offers a glimpse into expectations for recovery of the ozone layer in a changing climate, as well as the first detailed look at U.S. role in emitting — and reducing the emissions of — the chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer, which surrounds the globe about 10-15 miles above the surface, protects living things from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays..."
"A new NOAA-led assessment of the global ozone layer says the U.S. has reduced by 97-98 percent the production of ozone damaging substances since the late 1980s. The assessment is one in a series of synthesis and assessment reports coordinated by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.
The report also offers a glimpse into expectations for recovery of the ozone layer in a changing climate, as well as the first detailed look at U.S. role in emitting — and reducing the emissions of — the chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer, which surrounds the globe about 10-15 miles above the surface, protects living things from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays..."
Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories
"A reference guide to current data on small business activity in the
states and territories prepared by the U.S. Small Business."
"A reference guide to current data on small business activity in the
states and territories prepared by the U.S. Small Business."
Who Cares: Sources of Information about Health Care Products and Services
"With so many sources of health information at your fingertips — many of them online — it can be tough to tell fact from fiction, or useful health products and services from those that don’t work or aren’t safe.
The FTC has created this website to help you find reliable sources of information on health topics important to you, whether you’re an older consumer or a family member, caregiver, or friend. You can:
* find links to agencies and organizations that care about topics like generic drugs, hormone therapy, caregiving, surgery to improve vision, alternative medicine, hearing aids, Medicare fraud, and medical ID theft;
* learn how to spot misleading and deceptive claims; and
* find out who you can contact to ask questions, enlist help, or speak up if you think a health product or service isn’t living up to its promises.
Just remember: Among the best sources of health information is someone you can meet face-to-face. Talk about all of your health-related decisions with your doctors and other trusted health care providers."
"With so many sources of health information at your fingertips — many of them online — it can be tough to tell fact from fiction, or useful health products and services from those that don’t work or aren’t safe.
The FTC has created this website to help you find reliable sources of information on health topics important to you, whether you’re an older consumer or a family member, caregiver, or friend. You can:
* find links to agencies and organizations that care about topics like generic drugs, hormone therapy, caregiving, surgery to improve vision, alternative medicine, hearing aids, Medicare fraud, and medical ID theft;
* learn how to spot misleading and deceptive claims; and
* find out who you can contact to ask questions, enlist help, or speak up if you think a health product or service isn’t living up to its promises.
Just remember: Among the best sources of health information is someone you can meet face-to-face. Talk about all of your health-related decisions with your doctors and other trusted health care providers."
Federal Register Announces Launch of New Electronic Public Inspection Desk
"The Office of the Federal Register has created an Electronic Public Inspection Desk to provide free worldwide electronic access to public documents. For the first time in the 72-year existence of the daily Federal Register, the documents on file are available for viewing anytime, anywhere. Every Federal business day, anyone with access to a computer now can read critical documents governing Federal regulations relating to business, health, and safety as soon as the documents are placed on file.
To view these documents, go to www.federalregister.gov (link opens in a new window). See “View Documents on Public Inspection" (link opens in a new window) on the left hand side. This new desk grants the public access to documents that will be published in the next day’s Federal Register as early at 8:45 a.m. EST. Previously, such documents could only be seen by viewing the documents physically located at the Office of the Federal Register in Washington, DC."
"The Office of the Federal Register has created an Electronic Public Inspection Desk to provide free worldwide electronic access to public documents. For the first time in the 72-year existence of the daily Federal Register, the documents on file are available for viewing anytime, anywhere. Every Federal business day, anyone with access to a computer now can read critical documents governing Federal regulations relating to business, health, and safety as soon as the documents are placed on file.
To view these documents, go to www.federalregister.gov (link opens in a new window). See “View Documents on Public Inspection" (link opens in a new window) on the left hand side. This new desk grants the public access to documents that will be published in the next day’s Federal Register as early at 8:45 a.m. EST. Previously, such documents could only be seen by viewing the documents physically located at the Office of the Federal Register in Washington, DC."
The U.S. Financial Crisis: The Global Dimension with Implications for U.S. Policy
"...The process for coping with the crisis by countries across the globe has been
manifest in four basic phases. The first has been intervention to contain the
contagion and restore confidence in the system. This has required extraordinary
measures both in scope, cost, and extent of government reach. The second has been
coping with the secondary effects of the crisis, particularly the slowdown in
economic activity and flight of capital from countries in emerging markets and
elsewhere who have been affected by the crisis. The third phase of this process is to
make changes in the financial system to reduce risk and prevent future crises. In
order to give these proposals political backing, world leaders have called for
international meetings to address changes in policy, regulations, oversight, and
enforcement. Some are characterizing these meetings as Bretton Woods II. On
November 15, 2008, a G-20 leaders’ summit recommended several measures to be
implemented by participating countries by March 31, 2009. The fourth phase of the
process is dealing with political and social effects of the financial turmoil."
"...The process for coping with the crisis by countries across the globe has been
manifest in four basic phases. The first has been intervention to contain the
contagion and restore confidence in the system. This has required extraordinary
measures both in scope, cost, and extent of government reach. The second has been
coping with the secondary effects of the crisis, particularly the slowdown in
economic activity and flight of capital from countries in emerging markets and
elsewhere who have been affected by the crisis. The third phase of this process is to
make changes in the financial system to reduce risk and prevent future crises. In
order to give these proposals political backing, world leaders have called for
international meetings to address changes in policy, regulations, oversight, and
enforcement. Some are characterizing these meetings as Bretton Woods II. On
November 15, 2008, a G-20 leaders’ summit recommended several measures to be
implemented by participating countries by March 31, 2009. The fourth phase of the
process is dealing with political and social effects of the financial turmoil."
REPORT ON CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UNITED STATES OVERHEAD ARCHITECTURE
"The United States is losing its preeminence in space. A once robust partnership between the U.S. Government and the American space industry has been weakened by years of demanding space programs, the exponential complexity of technology, and an inattention to acquisition discipline. The U.S. Government created an environment that ensured the success of its space missions in the 1950s and 1960s. It provided appropriate funding and personnel needed to accomplish ambitious missions within a reasonable schedule. While the Government still has creative personnel, innovative
ideas, and adequate funding, American dominance in space is diminishing. The purpose of this report is to find out why."
"The United States is losing its preeminence in space. A once robust partnership between the U.S. Government and the American space industry has been weakened by years of demanding space programs, the exponential complexity of technology, and an inattention to acquisition discipline. The U.S. Government created an environment that ensured the success of its space missions in the 1950s and 1960s. It provided appropriate funding and personnel needed to accomplish ambitious missions within a reasonable schedule. While the Government still has creative personnel, innovative
ideas, and adequate funding, American dominance in space is diminishing. The purpose of this report is to find out why."
Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World
"We prepared Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World to stimulate strategic
thinking about the future by identifying key trends, the factors that drive them, where they seem to be headed, and how they might interact. It uses scenarios to illustrate some of the many ways in which the drivers examined in the study (e.g., globalization, demography, the rise of new powers, the decay of international institutions, climate change, and the geopolitics of energy) may interact to generate challenges and opportunities for future decisionmakers. The study as a whole is more a description of the factors likely to shape events than a prediction of what will actually happen..."
"We prepared Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World to stimulate strategic
thinking about the future by identifying key trends, the factors that drive them, where they seem to be headed, and how they might interact. It uses scenarios to illustrate some of the many ways in which the drivers examined in the study (e.g., globalization, demography, the rise of new powers, the decay of international institutions, climate change, and the geopolitics of energy) may interact to generate challenges and opportunities for future decisionmakers. The study as a whole is more a description of the factors likely to shape events than a prediction of what will actually happen..."
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Measuring the Status and Change of NAEP State Inclusion Rates for Students with Disabilities
"Since the late 1990s, participation rates of students with disabilities (SDs) in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from different states have fluctuated. To address concerns that these changes may affect the validity of reports on achievement trends, NAEP has
*
instituted policies for providing test accommodations for students with disabilities;
*
developed a methodology to correct for the bias resulting from changing inclusion rates, and
*
implemented procedures to increase the number of students with disabilities who are included as test-takers, such as better training of field staff, better procedures to assign proper accommodations for students, and improved communications with schools..."
"Since the late 1990s, participation rates of students with disabilities (SDs) in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from different states have fluctuated. To address concerns that these changes may affect the validity of reports on achievement trends, NAEP has
*
instituted policies for providing test accommodations for students with disabilities;
*
developed a methodology to correct for the bias resulting from changing inclusion rates, and
*
implemented procedures to increase the number of students with disabilities who are included as test-takers, such as better training of field staff, better procedures to assign proper accommodations for students, and improved communications with schools..."
Superfund National Accomplishments Summary Fiscal Year 2008
"Protecting human health and the environment remains Superfund’s top priority
* Controlled all identified unacceptable human exposures at a net total of 24 sites, exceeding the annual target of 10 and bringing the program’s cumulative total to 1,306 sites under control.
* Controlled the migration of contaminated ground water through engineered remedies or natural processes at a net total of 20 sites, exceeding the target of 15 for the year and bringing the program’s cumulative total to 997 sites under control.
Superfund prepares land for return to productive use
* EPA ensured 85 sites have all long-term protections in place necessary for anticipated reuse, bringing the cumulative total of sites ready for anticipated reuse to 343.
EPA’s Superfund Program obligated nearly $599 million to perform construction and post-construction activities and to conduct and oversee emergency response actions
* Obligated nearly $462 million in appropriated funds, state cost-share contributions, and potentially responsible party settlement resources for construction and post-construction projects.
* Obligated nearly $137 million to conduct more than 372 emergency response and removal actions to address immediate and substantial threats to communities.
EPA funded new construction
* Obligated more than $55 million in appropriated funds, state cost-share contributions, and potentially responsible party settlement resources for 16 new construction projects ranked by the National Risk-Based Priority Panel at 15 National Priorities List (NPL) sites.."
"Protecting human health and the environment remains Superfund’s top priority
* Controlled all identified unacceptable human exposures at a net total of 24 sites, exceeding the annual target of 10 and bringing the program’s cumulative total to 1,306 sites under control.
* Controlled the migration of contaminated ground water through engineered remedies or natural processes at a net total of 20 sites, exceeding the target of 15 for the year and bringing the program’s cumulative total to 997 sites under control.
Superfund prepares land for return to productive use
* EPA ensured 85 sites have all long-term protections in place necessary for anticipated reuse, bringing the cumulative total of sites ready for anticipated reuse to 343.
EPA’s Superfund Program obligated nearly $599 million to perform construction and post-construction activities and to conduct and oversee emergency response actions
* Obligated nearly $462 million in appropriated funds, state cost-share contributions, and potentially responsible party settlement resources for construction and post-construction projects.
* Obligated nearly $137 million to conduct more than 372 emergency response and removal actions to address immediate and substantial threats to communities.
EPA funded new construction
* Obligated more than $55 million in appropriated funds, state cost-share contributions, and potentially responsible party settlement resources for 16 new construction projects ranked by the National Risk-Based Priority Panel at 15 National Priorities List (NPL) sites.."
DHS Announces New Private Aircraft Requirements
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today additional measures to strengthen private aircraft security by requiring more detailed information about arriving and departing private aircraft and persons onboard, within a timeframe necessary for the department to assess the risks that certain flights may pose to national security. The Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States final rule expands on existing regulations and is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen general aviation security...
The final rule will require pilots of private aircraft to send U.S. Customs and Border Protection their electronic manifest data relative to all people traveling onboard. The following information must be sent one hour prior to departure for flights arriving into or departing from the United States by filing manifest data through the Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System or an approved alternate system:
* Advance notice of arrival information;
* Advance notice of departure information;
* Aircraft information to foster aircraft identification; and
* Complete passenger and crew manifest data"
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today additional measures to strengthen private aircraft security by requiring more detailed information about arriving and departing private aircraft and persons onboard, within a timeframe necessary for the department to assess the risks that certain flights may pose to national security. The Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States final rule expands on existing regulations and is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen general aviation security...
The final rule will require pilots of private aircraft to send U.S. Customs and Border Protection their electronic manifest data relative to all people traveling onboard. The following information must be sent one hour prior to departure for flights arriving into or departing from the United States by filing manifest data through the Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System or an approved alternate system:
* Advance notice of arrival information;
* Advance notice of departure information;
* Aircraft information to foster aircraft identification; and
* Complete passenger and crew manifest data"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Household Food Security in the United States, 2007
"Eighty-nine percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2007, meaning that they had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (11.1 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year. About one-third of food insecure households (4.1 percent of all U.S. households) had very low food security—meaning that the food intake of one or more adults was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. Prevalence rates of food insecurity and very low food security were essentially unchanged from those in 2005 and 2006."
"Eighty-nine percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2007, meaning that they had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (11.1 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year. About one-third of food insecure households (4.1 percent of all U.S. households) had very low food security—meaning that the food intake of one or more adults was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. Prevalence rates of food insecurity and very low food security were essentially unchanged from those in 2005 and 2006."
2008 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration
"Section 1501(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as codified at 42 U.S.C. § 7545(o),imposes an annual requirement on the Federal Trade Commission (“Commission” or “FTC”) to “perform a market concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index [(“HHI”)] to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.” The statute also requires that the FTC consider all marketing arrangements among industry participants in preparing its analysis. The FTC must report its findings to Congress and to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. This report presents the FTC’s concentration analysis of ethanol production for 2008. This report builds upon previous Commission reports on Ethanol Market Concentration, which contain relevant background information that is not repeated in this report."
"Section 1501(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as codified at 42 U.S.C. § 7545(o),imposes an annual requirement on the Federal Trade Commission (“Commission” or “FTC”) to “perform a market concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index [(“HHI”)] to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.” The statute also requires that the FTC consider all marketing arrangements among industry participants in preparing its analysis. The FTC must report its findings to Congress and to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. This report presents the FTC’s concentration analysis of ethanol production for 2008. This report builds upon previous Commission reports on Ethanol Market Concentration, which contain relevant background information that is not repeated in this report."
Live Piracy Map 2008
"This map shows all the piracy and armed robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre during 2008. If exact coordinates are not provided, estimated positions are shown based on information provided. Zoom-in and click on the pointers to view more information of an individual attack. Pointers may be superimposed on each other."
"This map shows all the piracy and armed robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre during 2008. If exact coordinates are not provided, estimated positions are shown based on information provided. Zoom-in and click on the pointers to view more information of an individual attack. Pointers may be superimposed on each other."
The Outlook for Housing Starts, 2009 to 2012
"...This background paper examines the various factors that have determined the number of housing starts in the United States in the past and will continue to determine it in the future. Those factors include the underlying demand for new housing units, especially the role of demographics; cyclical and financial conditions, such as unemployment rates and lending standards; and the number of excess vacant units. CBO expects that housing starts will fall far enough below underlying demand for a long enough period to eliminate the current glut of vacant units and any temporary shortfall of demand due to adverse cyclical and financial conditions; this paper presents three alternative scenarios that could achieve that outcome. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis, this paper makes no policy recommendations..."
"...This background paper examines the various factors that have determined the number of housing starts in the United States in the past and will continue to determine it in the future. Those factors include the underlying demand for new housing units, especially the role of demographics; cyclical and financial conditions, such as unemployment rates and lending standards; and the number of excess vacant units. CBO expects that housing starts will fall far enough below underlying demand for a long enough period to eliminate the current glut of vacant units and any temporary shortfall of demand due to adverse cyclical and financial conditions; this paper presents three alternative scenarios that could achieve that outcome. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis, this paper makes no policy recommendations..."
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Flu Information - Medicare
Provides basic information about the flu for Medicare customers. Incuded is information on what is the flu, symptoms described, and flu shot recommendations.
Provides basic information about the flu for Medicare customers. Incuded is information on what is the flu, symptoms described, and flu shot recommendations.
FTC Charges Internet Payday Lenders with Failing to Disclose Key Loan Terms and Using Abusive and Deceptive Collection Tactics
"The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Nevada have charged 10 related Internet payday lenders and their principals, based mainly in the United Kingdom, with violating federal and state law by not disclosing key loan terms to U.S. consumers and using abusive and deceptive collection tactics.
According to the complaint filed by the FTC and the State of Nevada, through Web sites such as www.cash2day4u.com, the defendants offered consumers loans of $500 or less within 24 hours without requiring a credit check, proof of income, or documentation. Consumers who applied for a loan on the defendants’ Web site were required to provide their bank account and Social Security numbers..."
"The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Nevada have charged 10 related Internet payday lenders and their principals, based mainly in the United Kingdom, with violating federal and state law by not disclosing key loan terms to U.S. consumers and using abusive and deceptive collection tactics.
According to the complaint filed by the FTC and the State of Nevada, through Web sites such as www.cash2day4u.com, the defendants offered consumers loans of $500 or less within 24 hours without requiring a credit check, proof of income, or documentation. Consumers who applied for a loan on the defendants’ Web site were required to provide their bank account and Social Security numbers..."
DHS Announces Security Standards for Freight and Passenger Rail Systems
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials...
The Rail Security final rule will require freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The rule also will codify TSA’s broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule will ensure the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establish security protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers."
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials...
The Rail Security final rule will require freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The rule also will codify TSA’s broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule will ensure the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establish security protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers."
OPEC Revenues Fact Sheet
"Based on projections from the EIA November 2008 Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO), members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could earn $979 billion of net oil export revenues in 2008, and $595 billion in 2009. Through October, OPEC has earned an estimated $884 billion in net oil export earnings in 2008. Last year, OPEC earned $671 billion in net oil export revenues, a 10 percent increase from 2006. Saudi Arabia earned the largest share of these earnings, $194 billion, representing 29 percent of total OPEC revenues. On a per-capita basis, OPEC net oil export earning reached $1,137, a 8 percent increase from 2006."
"Based on projections from the EIA November 2008 Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO), members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could earn $979 billion of net oil export revenues in 2008, and $595 billion in 2009. Through October, OPEC has earned an estimated $884 billion in net oil export earnings in 2008. Last year, OPEC earned $671 billion in net oil export revenues, a 10 percent increase from 2006. Saudi Arabia earned the largest share of these earnings, $194 billion, representing 29 percent of total OPEC revenues. On a per-capita basis, OPEC net oil export earning reached $1,137, a 8 percent increase from 2006."
Friday, November 14, 2008
Short - Term Energy Outlook, Nov. 12, 2008
"The current U.S. and global economic downturn has led to a decrease in global energy demand and a rapid and substantial reduction in crude oil and other energy prices. As a result, projections for both energy demand and prices are considerably lower than last month’s Outlook.
The monthly average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell from over $133 per barrel in July to about $77 per barrel in October, indicative of the abrupt decline in world petroleum demand growth. The annual average WTI price is now projected to be $101.45 per barrel in 2008 and $63.50 in 2009.
The average U.S. prices for regular-grade gasoline and diesel fuel, at $2.22 and $2.94 per gallon respectively on November 10, were both more than $1.80 per gallon below their highs in mid-July. With a weak economy continuing through most of 2009, along with lower projected crude oil prices, the annual average retail gasoline and diesel prices in 2009 are projected to be $2.37 and $2.73 per gallon, respectively.
Residential heating oil prices during the current heating season (October though March) are projected to average $2.75 per gallon, a reduction of about 17 percent from the 2007-2008 heating season. Residential propane prices are projected to average $2.22 this winter, a decrease of 10 percent from last winter. Residential natural gas prices are projected to average $13.02 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), an increase of 2 percent from last winter..."
"The current U.S. and global economic downturn has led to a decrease in global energy demand and a rapid and substantial reduction in crude oil and other energy prices. As a result, projections for both energy demand and prices are considerably lower than last month’s Outlook.
The monthly average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell from over $133 per barrel in July to about $77 per barrel in October, indicative of the abrupt decline in world petroleum demand growth. The annual average WTI price is now projected to be $101.45 per barrel in 2008 and $63.50 in 2009.
The average U.S. prices for regular-grade gasoline and diesel fuel, at $2.22 and $2.94 per gallon respectively on November 10, were both more than $1.80 per gallon below their highs in mid-July. With a weak economy continuing through most of 2009, along with lower projected crude oil prices, the annual average retail gasoline and diesel prices in 2009 are projected to be $2.37 and $2.73 per gallon, respectively.
Residential heating oil prices during the current heating season (October though March) are projected to average $2.75 per gallon, a reduction of about 17 percent from the 2007-2008 heating season. Residential propane prices are projected to average $2.22 this winter, a decrease of 10 percent from last winter. Residential natural gas prices are projected to average $13.02 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), an increase of 2 percent from last winter..."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Immigrant-Owned Businesses Contribution To The Economy Detailed In New Report
"Immigrant-owned businesses generate approximately 11.6 percent of all business income in the United States. Moreover, immigrants own 11.2 percent of businesses with $100,000 or more in sales and 10.8 percent of all businesses with employees. These figures are contained in a report released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“This report is the first time that immigrant business ownership rates and immigrant-owned businesses contributions to the economy have been studied in detail,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. “These findings can make a significant contribution to public policy debates,” he added.
The report, Estimating the Contribution of Immigrant Business Owners to the U.S. Economy, written by Dr. Robert Fairlie with funding from the Office of Advocacy, analyzes data from the 2000 Census five percent Public Use Microdata Sample, the 1996-2007 Current Population Survey, and the 1992 Characteristics of Business Owners."
"Immigrant-owned businesses generate approximately 11.6 percent of all business income in the United States. Moreover, immigrants own 11.2 percent of businesses with $100,000 or more in sales and 10.8 percent of all businesses with employees. These figures are contained in a report released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“This report is the first time that immigrant business ownership rates and immigrant-owned businesses contributions to the economy have been studied in detail,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. “These findings can make a significant contribution to public policy debates,” he added.
The report, Estimating the Contribution of Immigrant Business Owners to the U.S. Economy, written by Dr. Robert Fairlie with funding from the Office of Advocacy, analyzes data from the 2000 Census five percent Public Use Microdata Sample, the 1996-2007 Current Population Survey, and the 1992 Characteristics of Business Owners."
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Joint Congressional Committtee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Planning activities for the Inaugural Day ceremonies.
Planning activities for the Inaugural Day ceremonies.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Black Americans In Congress, 1870-2007
Official congressional web site for Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007. This updates the last print edition, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989.
Official congressional web site for Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007. This updates the last print edition, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989.
New Report Looks Under the Hood of Vehicle and Engine Compliance Program
"EPA has released its first annual report that summarizes environmental compliance data from all mobile sources including cars, light duty trucks and non-road equipment. The 2007 model year report provides information about vehicle recalls, emissions certification testing, and emission defects. This report will help stakeholders better understand the compliance program’s requirements, process and results. EPA’s compliance program is an important part of improving the nation’s air quality."
Information on the 2007 Progress Report: Vehicle and Engine Compliance Activities
"EPA has released its first annual report that summarizes environmental compliance data from all mobile sources including cars, light duty trucks and non-road equipment. The 2007 model year report provides information about vehicle recalls, emissions certification testing, and emission defects. This report will help stakeholders better understand the compliance program’s requirements, process and results. EPA’s compliance program is an important part of improving the nation’s air quality."
Information on the 2007 Progress Report: Vehicle and Engine Compliance Activities
Dynamic Maps of Bank Card and Mortgage Delinquencies in the United States
Find institutions with bank card deliquency rates of 60+ days and mortgage deliquency rates of 90+ days.
Find institutions with bank card deliquency rates of 60+ days and mortgage deliquency rates of 90+ days.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wages in the Nonprofit Sector: Management, Professional, and Administrative Support Occupations
"In 2007, there were more than 1.64 million nonprofit organizations in the United States.1 The nonprofit sector has expanded in terms of number of organizations and number of paid employees. In 1994, there were more than 1.1 million nonprofit organizations in the United States,2 employing about 5.4 million people, or 4.4 percent of all workers. By 2007, nonprofits employed 8.7 million workers, or 5.9 percent of all workers.3 Health professionals, educators, other professionals, health technicians, administrative support workers, and service occupations account for the majority of paid workers in the nonprofit sector.
Considering the growth of the nonprofit sector, it is interesting to compare the wage rates of workers in nonprofits with those of their counterparts in private industry as a whole5 and in State and local government. The National Compensation Survey (NCS) provides a source of recent data for making this comparison. Separate wage estimates for full-time workers in private nonprofit establishments were published in the annual wage publication National Compensation Survey: Occupational Earnings in the United States, 2007.6 The NCS now provides average hourly wage estimates for full-time workers employed in all private industry, the private nonprofit sector, State government, and local government by occupational group and by detailed occupation..."
"In 2007, there were more than 1.64 million nonprofit organizations in the United States.1 The nonprofit sector has expanded in terms of number of organizations and number of paid employees. In 1994, there were more than 1.1 million nonprofit organizations in the United States,2 employing about 5.4 million people, or 4.4 percent of all workers. By 2007, nonprofits employed 8.7 million workers, or 5.9 percent of all workers.3 Health professionals, educators, other professionals, health technicians, administrative support workers, and service occupations account for the majority of paid workers in the nonprofit sector.
Considering the growth of the nonprofit sector, it is interesting to compare the wage rates of workers in nonprofits with those of their counterparts in private industry as a whole5 and in State and local government. The National Compensation Survey (NCS) provides a source of recent data for making this comparison. Separate wage estimates for full-time workers in private nonprofit establishments were published in the annual wage publication National Compensation Survey: Occupational Earnings in the United States, 2007.6 The NCS now provides average hourly wage estimates for full-time workers employed in all private industry, the private nonprofit sector, State government, and local government by occupational group and by detailed occupation..."
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Preliminary Analysis of Oversight Provisions
"The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA, H.R. 1424, P.L
110-343) provides authority for the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase and insure
“troubled assets” to provide stability and prevent disruption in the economy and
financial system. The act established two organizations to provide broad oversight
for the stability program — a Financial Stability Oversight Board (FSOB) and a
Congressional Oversight Panel (COP). The act also placed audit responsibilities for
the program with two individuals — a new Special Inspector General (IG) for the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and the Comptroller General (CG) of the
Government Accountability Office (GAO). The duties and responsibilities of both
oversight panels and both auditors overlap in some areas, but are different in other
areas..."
"The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA, H.R. 1424, P.L
110-343) provides authority for the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase and insure
“troubled assets” to provide stability and prevent disruption in the economy and
financial system. The act established two organizations to provide broad oversight
for the stability program — a Financial Stability Oversight Board (FSOB) and a
Congressional Oversight Panel (COP). The act also placed audit responsibilities for
the program with two individuals — a new Special Inspector General (IG) for the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and the Comptroller General (CG) of the
Government Accountability Office (GAO). The duties and responsibilities of both
oversight panels and both auditors overlap in some areas, but are different in other
areas..."
The Global Financial Crisis: The Role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
"This report discusses two potential roles the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
may have in helping to resolve the current global financial crisis: (1) immediate crisis control through balance of payments lending to emerging market and less-developed countries and (2) increased surveillance of the global economy through better coordination with the international financial regulatory agencies. This report will be updated as events warrant."
"This report discusses two potential roles the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
may have in helping to resolve the current global financial crisis: (1) immediate crisis control through balance of payments lending to emerging market and less-developed countries and (2) increased surveillance of the global economy through better coordination with the international financial regulatory agencies. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Iraq: U.S. Casualties
"The following casualty data was compiled by the Department of Defense (DOD),
as tallied from the agency’s press releases. Table 1 provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as all records are processed through the U.S. military’s casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD’s website at [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/] under “Casualty Update.”
A detailed casualty summary that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as
statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website:
[http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm]."
"The following casualty data was compiled by the Department of Defense (DOD),
as tallied from the agency’s press releases. Table 1 provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as all records are processed through the U.S. military’s casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD’s website at [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/] under “Casualty Update.”
A detailed casualty summary that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as
statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website:
[http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm]."
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Federal, State, and Local Governments Finances of Selected State and Local Government Employee Retirement Systems
"A quarterly survey that provides national summary data on the revenues, expenditures, and composition of assets of the largest public employee retirement systems."
"A quarterly survey that provides national summary data on the revenues, expenditures, and composition of assets of the largest public employee retirement systems."
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
NEW PUBLICATION REVIEWS LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO TRANSITION MILITARY VETERANS RETURNING TO POLICING
"The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has released a new publication supporting the efforts of law enforcement commanders, police psychologists, unions, and others responsible for re-integrating returning combat veterans into law enforcement. Combat Deployment and the Returning Police Officer reviews the psychological effects of combat and the methods used by the Los Angeles Police and Sheriff's Departments, the Kansas City Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff's Department (S.C.) to support the successful transition of officers who were deployed as members of the military Reserves or National Guard..."
"The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has released a new publication supporting the efforts of law enforcement commanders, police psychologists, unions, and others responsible for re-integrating returning combat veterans into law enforcement. Combat Deployment and the Returning Police Officer reviews the psychological effects of combat and the methods used by the Los Angeles Police and Sheriff's Departments, the Kansas City Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff's Department (S.C.) to support the successful transition of officers who were deployed as members of the military Reserves or National Guard..."
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