Official version. Certified by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
PUBLIC LAW 111–5—FEB. 17, 2009 123 STAT. 115
Thursday, April 16, 2009
EPA Adds Nine Hazardous Waste Sites to Superfund’s National Priorities List / EPA also proposes to add an additional 13 new sites to the NPL
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding nine new hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. Also, EPA is proposing to add 13 other sites to the list. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.
To date, there have been 1,596 sites listed on the NPL. Of these sites, 332 sites have been deleted resulting in 1,264 final sites currently on the NPL. With the proposal of the 13 new sites, there are 67 proposed sites awaiting final agency action: 62 in the general Superfund section and five in the federal facilities section. There are a total of 1,331 final and proposed sites..."
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding nine new hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. Also, EPA is proposing to add 13 other sites to the list. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.
To date, there have been 1,596 sites listed on the NPL. Of these sites, 332 sites have been deleted resulting in 1,264 final sites currently on the NPL. With the proposal of the 13 new sites, there are 67 proposed sites awaiting final agency action: 62 in the general Superfund section and five in the federal facilities section. There are a total of 1,331 final and proposed sites..."
INVENTORY OF U.S. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND SINKS: 1990-2007
"This report presents estimates by the United States government of U.S. anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and sinks for the years 1990 through 2007. A summary of these estimates is provided in Table 2 1 and Table 2 2 by gas and source category in the Trends in Greenhouse Gas Emissions chapter. The emission estimates in these tables are presented on both a full molecular mass basis and on a Global Warming Potential (GWP) weighted basis in order to show the relative contribution of each gas to global average radiative forcing.18 This report also discusses the
methods and data used to calculate these emission estimates..."
"This report presents estimates by the United States government of U.S. anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and sinks for the years 1990 through 2007. A summary of these estimates is provided in Table 2 1 and Table 2 2 by gas and source category in the Trends in Greenhouse Gas Emissions chapter. The emission estimates in these tables are presented on both a full molecular mass basis and on a Global Warming Potential (GWP) weighted basis in order to show the relative contribution of each gas to global average radiative forcing.18 This report also discusses the
methods and data used to calculate these emission estimates..."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
IRS Offers Tax Payment Option
"The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to file their federal tax returns and pay any taxes they owe by the April 15 deadline.
Aware that the economic downturn has affected many people, the agency urged taxpayers in difficult financial situations to file a tax return, pay what they can and work with the IRS to establish a payment plan that will keep them compliant.
Filing and Paying on Time Saves Money
The IRS cautioned that there is a failure-to-file penalty for taxpayers who don’t file their tax returns by April 15 and who owe taxes. Filing by the deadline allows taxpayers to avoid this penalty, even if they can’t pay all or some of their taxes by the deadline. Taxpayers who can’t meet the filing deadline can request an extension of time to file. However, an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.
Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount would still benefit from filing their return and paying as much as they can by April 15. Interest and failure-to-pay penalties are due on any unpaid balance and increase the amount that the taxpayer owes.
Members of the military and some others serving in combat zones, or in support, can wait until after April 15 to file and pay. As a general rule, those eligible get the extra time penalty-free and interest-free without having to ask for it. Normally, the filing and payment deadline is postponed until 180 days after the service member leaves the combat zone..."
"The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to file their federal tax returns and pay any taxes they owe by the April 15 deadline.
Aware that the economic downturn has affected many people, the agency urged taxpayers in difficult financial situations to file a tax return, pay what they can and work with the IRS to establish a payment plan that will keep them compliant.
Filing and Paying on Time Saves Money
The IRS cautioned that there is a failure-to-file penalty for taxpayers who don’t file their tax returns by April 15 and who owe taxes. Filing by the deadline allows taxpayers to avoid this penalty, even if they can’t pay all or some of their taxes by the deadline. Taxpayers who can’t meet the filing deadline can request an extension of time to file. However, an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.
Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount would still benefit from filing their return and paying as much as they can by April 15. Interest and failure-to-pay penalties are due on any unpaid balance and increase the amount that the taxpayer owes.
Members of the military and some others serving in combat zones, or in support, can wait until after April 15 to file and pay. As a general rule, those eligible get the extra time penalty-free and interest-free without having to ask for it. Normally, the filing and payment deadline is postponed until 180 days after the service member leaves the combat zone..."
A Chartbook Of International Labor Comparisons, March 2009
" Chartbook Of International Labor Comparisons (March 2009) focuses on the labor market situation in selected countries for the most recent year available; some charts also show trends. This chartbook is presented on the BLS website in Adobe PDF format. The charts and the text for each section will soon be available from this page in individual PDF files; the chartbook is currently available in a single PDF (2.5 MB)."
" Chartbook Of International Labor Comparisons (March 2009) focuses on the labor market situation in selected countries for the most recent year available; some charts also show trends. This chartbook is presented on the BLS website in Adobe PDF format. The charts and the text for each section will soon be available from this page in individual PDF files; the chartbook is currently available in a single PDF (2.5 MB)."
Seat Belt Use in 2008—Use Rates in the States and Territories
"In 2008, seat belt use in the United States ranged from 55.7 percent in American Samoa to 97.2 percent in Michigan. These results are from probability-based observational surveys conducted by 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories in accordance with criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure reliable results. Compliance with the criteria is verified annually by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis..."
"In 2008, seat belt use in the United States ranged from 55.7 percent in American Samoa to 97.2 percent in Michigan. These results are from probability-based observational surveys conducted by 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories in accordance with criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure reliable results. Compliance with the criteria is verified annually by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis..."
FCC LAUNCHES DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN
"The Federal Communications Commission today begins the process of
developing a national broadband plan that will seek to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability.
In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – known as the stimulus package – Congress charged the Commission with creating a national broadband plan. In a Notice of Inquiry adopted today, the Commission begins a proceeding to create that national broadband plan, seeking input from all stakeholders: consumers, industry, large and small businesses, non-profits, the disabilities community, governments at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, and all other interested parties.
The Commission must deliver the plan to Congress by Feb. 17, 2010. It will provide a roadmap toward achieving the goal of ensuring that all Americans reap the benefits of broadband..."
"The Federal Communications Commission today begins the process of
developing a national broadband plan that will seek to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability.
In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – known as the stimulus package – Congress charged the Commission with creating a national broadband plan. In a Notice of Inquiry adopted today, the Commission begins a proceeding to create that national broadband plan, seeking input from all stakeholders: consumers, industry, large and small businesses, non-profits, the disabilities community, governments at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, and all other interested parties.
The Commission must deliver the plan to Congress by Feb. 17, 2010. It will provide a roadmap toward achieving the goal of ensuring that all Americans reap the benefits of broadband..."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions, April 2009
"The production and use of ethanol in the United States have been steadily
increasing since 2001, boosted in part by long-standing production subsidies.
That growth has exerted upward pressure on the price of corn and, ultimately, on the retail price of food, affecting both individual consumers and federal expenditures on nutritional support programs. It has also raised questions about the environmental consequences of replacing gasoline with ethanol.
This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, which was prepared at the request
of Representatives Ron Kind, Rosa DeLauro, and James McGovern, examines the relationship between increasing production of ethanol and rising prices for food.
In particular, CBO estimated how much of the rise in food prices between April 2007 and April 2008 was due to an increase in the production of ethanol and how much that increase in prices might raise federal expenditures on food assistance programs.
CBO also examined how much the increased use of ethanol might lower emissions of greenhouse gases. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, the report contains no recommendations."
"The production and use of ethanol in the United States have been steadily
increasing since 2001, boosted in part by long-standing production subsidies.
That growth has exerted upward pressure on the price of corn and, ultimately, on the retail price of food, affecting both individual consumers and federal expenditures on nutritional support programs. It has also raised questions about the environmental consequences of replacing gasoline with ethanol.
This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, which was prepared at the request
of Representatives Ron Kind, Rosa DeLauro, and James McGovern, examines the relationship between increasing production of ethanol and rising prices for food.
In particular, CBO estimated how much of the rise in food prices between April 2007 and April 2008 was due to an increase in the production of ethanol and how much that increase in prices might raise federal expenditures on food assistance programs.
CBO also examined how much the increased use of ethanol might lower emissions of greenhouse gases. In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, the report contains no recommendations."
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
FTC Halts Bogus Cancer Cures
"he Federal Trade Commission has brought to a halt two peddlers of bogus cancer cures that were targeted during Operation False Cures, a law enforcement sweep announced last fall. The FTC charged the companies in the sweep with making unsupported claims that their concoctions treated, cured, or prevented one or more types of cancer. With these two cases concluded, all but two of the 11 cases brought during the sweep have been resolved.
Mary T. Spohn, individually and doing business as Herbs for Cancer – The FTC’s administrative complaint alleged that Spohn marketed Chinese herbal teas that purportedly treated and cured many different types of cancer. After Spohn failed to respond to the complaint, the Administrative Law Judge issued an order on default judgment and initial decision against her on November 5, 2008. After Spohn failed to appeal, the judge’s order and initial decision became the final order and decision of the Commission. The final FTC Order prohibits false and deceptive claims that the products treat or cure cancer or have other health benefits..."
"he Federal Trade Commission has brought to a halt two peddlers of bogus cancer cures that were targeted during Operation False Cures, a law enforcement sweep announced last fall. The FTC charged the companies in the sweep with making unsupported claims that their concoctions treated, cured, or prevented one or more types of cancer. With these two cases concluded, all but two of the 11 cases brought during the sweep have been resolved.
Mary T. Spohn, individually and doing business as Herbs for Cancer – The FTC’s administrative complaint alleged that Spohn marketed Chinese herbal teas that purportedly treated and cured many different types of cancer. After Spohn failed to respond to the complaint, the Administrative Law Judge issued an order on default judgment and initial decision against her on November 5, 2008. After Spohn failed to appeal, the judge’s order and initial decision became the final order and decision of the Commission. The final FTC Order prohibits false and deceptive claims that the products treat or cure cancer or have other health benefits..."
Federal and State Agencies Crack Down on Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Rescue Scams
"The Federal Trade Commission today announced a crackdown on fraud and deception by mortgage modification and home foreclosure rescue companies. The FTC is seeking to halt the proliferation of these mortgage relief scams – which target distressed and vulnerable consumers who are delinquent or facing foreclosure – through increased law enforcement, consumer outreach, and close coordination with federal, state, and non-profit partners...
"The Federal Trade Commission today announced a crackdown on fraud and deception by mortgage modification and home foreclosure rescue companies. The FTC is seeking to halt the proliferation of these mortgage relief scams – which target distressed and vulnerable consumers who are delinquent or facing foreclosure – through increased law enforcement, consumer outreach, and close coordination with federal, state, and non-profit partners...
Guidance to Financial Institutions on Filing Suspicious Activity Reports regarding Loan Modification/Foreclosure Rescue Scams
"The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing this advisory to highlight loan modification/foreclosure rescue scams so that financial institutions may better assist law enforcement when filing Suspicious Activity Reports. This guidance is consistent with the Department of the Treasury's broader efforts to ensure that U.S. financial institutions are not used as conduits for illicit activity, including loan modification/foreclosure rescue scams.
In the current economic environment, many homeowners are encountering significant difficulty in making their mortgage payments, which has led to an increasing amount of fraud in the form of loan modification/foreclosure "rescue" schemes that take advantage of those homeowners in desperate situations. Under the pretense of helping homeowners modify their mortgage obligations, these schemes result in the loss of money, equity and in many cases the home itself..."
"The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing this advisory to highlight loan modification/foreclosure rescue scams so that financial institutions may better assist law enforcement when filing Suspicious Activity Reports. This guidance is consistent with the Department of the Treasury's broader efforts to ensure that U.S. financial institutions are not used as conduits for illicit activity, including loan modification/foreclosure rescue scams.
In the current economic environment, many homeowners are encountering significant difficulty in making their mortgage payments, which has led to an increasing amount of fraud in the form of loan modification/foreclosure "rescue" schemes that take advantage of those homeowners in desperate situations. Under the pretense of helping homeowners modify their mortgage obligations, these schemes result in the loss of money, equity and in many cases the home itself..."
Money Matters
"The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, created this website to help you tackle some money issues head-on. Use the menu to the right to find tips and resources on money matters."
"The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, created this website to help you tackle some money issues head-on. Use the menu to the right to find tips and resources on money matters."
Historical Effective Federal Tax Rates: 1979 to 2006
"The following tables update the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO’s) estimates
of historical effective tax rates—that is, households’ tax liability divided by their
income—for various income categories.1 These new tables incorporate estimates
for an additional calendar year, 2006, for the four largest sources of federal
revenues—individual income taxes, social insurance (payroll) taxes, corporate
income taxes, and excise taxes—as well as the total effective rate for the four
taxes combined. The tables also present average before-tax and after-tax
household income; counts of households; and shares of taxes, income, and
households for each fifth (quintile) of the income distribution and for the top
percentiles of households..."
"The following tables update the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO’s) estimates
of historical effective tax rates—that is, households’ tax liability divided by their
income—for various income categories.1 These new tables incorporate estimates
for an additional calendar year, 2006, for the four largest sources of federal
revenues—individual income taxes, social insurance (payroll) taxes, corporate
income taxes, and excise taxes—as well as the total effective rate for the four
taxes combined. The tables also present average before-tax and after-tax
household income; counts of households; and shares of taxes, income, and
households for each fifth (quintile) of the income distribution and for the top
percentiles of households..."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Executive Branch Personnel Public Disclosure
"SF 278 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure reports for White House officials are now available. For the first time, interested parties will be able to request online those reports they would like to review. We have also streamlined the distribution process, so that each report is available in pdf form for quick transmission via email.
By filling out this electronic form, you can access the reports of the officials you wish to review. Requested reports will be emailed as quickly as possible - please call the press office if you experience a delay."
"SF 278 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure reports for White House officials are now available. For the first time, interested parties will be able to request online those reports they would like to review. We have also streamlined the distribution process, so that each report is available in pdf form for quick transmission via email.
By filling out this electronic form, you can access the reports of the officials you wish to review. Requested reports will be emailed as quickly as possible - please call the press office if you experience a delay."
Friday, April 3, 2009
State Personal Income 2008
"U.S. personal income growth slowed to 3.9 percent in 2008 from 6.0 percent in 2007 with all states except Alaska sharing in the slowdown, according to preliminary estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The U.S. growth was the slowest since 2003. Inflation, as measured by the national price index for personal consumption expenditures, rose to 3.3 percent in 2008 up from 2.6 percent in 2007."
"U.S. personal income growth slowed to 3.9 percent in 2008 from 6.0 percent in 2007 with all states except Alaska sharing in the slowdown, according to preliminary estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The U.S. growth was the slowest since 2003. Inflation, as measured by the national price index for personal consumption expenditures, rose to 3.3 percent in 2008 up from 2.6 percent in 2007."
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