FTC Website Educates Kids about Privacy and Fraud
"Today, the Federal Trade Commission opened new areas of a “virtual mall” with content that will help kids learn to protect their privacy, spot frauds and scams, and avoid identity theft. The FTC Web site, www.ftc.gov/YouAreHere, introduces key consumer and business concepts and helps youngsters understand their role in the marketplace. The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency.
“YouAreHere presents practical lessons about money and business in a fun and familiar setting,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The new content takes kids behind the scenes to raise their awareness of advertising and marketing, pricing and competition, fraud and identity theft.
At the FTC’s online mall, visitors play games, watch short animated films, and interact with customers and store owners. They can design and print advertisements for a shoe store, investigate suspicious claims in ads and sales pitches, learn to identify the catches behind bogus modeling schemes and vacation offers, and guess the retail prices of various candies based on their supply, demand, and production costs..."
Friday, December 4, 2009
Census 2010
Important information about the 2010 census, including information for 2010 census jobs seekers.
Important information about the 2010 census, including information for 2010 census jobs seekers.
Global Measles Mortality, 2000–2008
"The United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals include a goal (MDG 4) to achieve a two thirds overall reduction of child deaths by 2015 compared with the 1990 level (1). Because many unvaccinated children die from measles, routine measles vaccination coverage is used as an indicator of progress toward this goal. In 2008, all UN member states reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a 90% reduction in measles mortality by 2010 compared with 2000, from an estimated 733,000 deaths in 2000 worldwide to ≤73,300 by 2010 (2). The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have identified 47 priority countries with the highest burden of measles for an accelerated strategy for measles mortality reduction (3). The strategy includes 1) achieving and maintaining high coverage (≥90% nationally and ≥80% in each district) with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) delivered through routine services or supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) (4), 2) implementing effective laboratory-supported disease surveillance, and 3) providing appropriate clinical management for measles cases. This report updates a previously published report (5), provides details on activities implemented during 2008, assesses progress toward the 2010 goal, and evaluates the potential effects of decreased financial support. During 2000--2008, global measles mortality declined by 78%, from an estimated 733,000 deaths in 2000 to 164,000 in 2008, but the reduction in measles mortality has been leveling off since 2007. To reach the 2010 goal, India should fully implement the recommended strategies, and financial support for sustaining measles control in the other 46 priority countries should be secured..."
"The United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals include a goal (MDG 4) to achieve a two thirds overall reduction of child deaths by 2015 compared with the 1990 level (1). Because many unvaccinated children die from measles, routine measles vaccination coverage is used as an indicator of progress toward this goal. In 2008, all UN member states reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a 90% reduction in measles mortality by 2010 compared with 2000, from an estimated 733,000 deaths in 2000 worldwide to ≤73,300 by 2010 (2). The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have identified 47 priority countries with the highest burden of measles for an accelerated strategy for measles mortality reduction (3). The strategy includes 1) achieving and maintaining high coverage (≥90% nationally and ≥80% in each district) with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) delivered through routine services or supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) (4), 2) implementing effective laboratory-supported disease surveillance, and 3) providing appropriate clinical management for measles cases. This report updates a previously published report (5), provides details on activities implemented during 2008, assesses progress toward the 2010 goal, and evaluates the potential effects of decreased financial support. During 2000--2008, global measles mortality declined by 78%, from an estimated 733,000 deaths in 2000 to 164,000 in 2008, but the reduction in measles mortality has been leveling off since 2007. To reach the 2010 goal, India should fully implement the recommended strategies, and financial support for sustaining measles control in the other 46 priority countries should be secured..."
New Interactive Tools Show Continuing SO2 Reductions at Coal-Fired Power Plants
"New interactive tracking tools are now available on EPA’s Web site to help the public follow nation-wide changes in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants. Using interactive charts and Google Earth satellite maps, the public can now observe recent changes in SO2 emissions and other indicators at individual coal-fired power plants in the Acid Rain Program.
The Acid Rain Program was established under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requiring power plants to reduce emissions of SO2 and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—the primary causes of acid rain. Since 1995, the program has achieved significant environmental and public health benefits. In 2008, electric generating units subject to the market-based cap and trade SO2 program emitted 7.6 million tons of SO2, well below the current annual emission cap of 9.5 million tons..."
"New interactive tracking tools are now available on EPA’s Web site to help the public follow nation-wide changes in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants. Using interactive charts and Google Earth satellite maps, the public can now observe recent changes in SO2 emissions and other indicators at individual coal-fired power plants in the Acid Rain Program.
The Acid Rain Program was established under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requiring power plants to reduce emissions of SO2 and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—the primary causes of acid rain. Since 1995, the program has achieved significant environmental and public health benefits. In 2008, electric generating units subject to the market-based cap and trade SO2 program emitted 7.6 million tons of SO2, well below the current annual emission cap of 9.5 million tons..."
New Trends Report: Fuel Economy Increases as CO2 Decreases
"For the fifth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in fuel efficiency with a corresponding decrease in average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars and light duty trucks. This marks the first time that data for CO2 emissions are included in the annual report, “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2009”.
“American drivers are increasingly looking for cars that burn cleaner, burn less gas and won’t burn a hole in their wallets,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re working to help accelerate this trend with strong investments in clean energy technology – particularly for the cars and trucks that account for almost 60 percent of greenhouse gases from transportation sources. Cleaner, more efficient vehicles can help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, cut harmful pollution, and save people money -- and it’s clear that’s what the American car buyer wants.”
For 2008, the last year for which EPA has final data from automakers, the average fuel economy value was 21.0 miles per gallon (mpg). EPA projects a small improvement in 2009, based on pre-model year sales estimates provided to EPA by automakers, to 21.1 mpg..."
"For the fifth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in fuel efficiency with a corresponding decrease in average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars and light duty trucks. This marks the first time that data for CO2 emissions are included in the annual report, “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2009”.
“American drivers are increasingly looking for cars that burn cleaner, burn less gas and won’t burn a hole in their wallets,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re working to help accelerate this trend with strong investments in clean energy technology – particularly for the cars and trucks that account for almost 60 percent of greenhouse gases from transportation sources. Cleaner, more efficient vehicles can help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, cut harmful pollution, and save people money -- and it’s clear that’s what the American car buyer wants.”
For 2008, the last year for which EPA has final data from automakers, the average fuel economy value was 21.0 miles per gallon (mpg). EPA projects a small improvement in 2009, based on pre-model year sales estimates provided to EPA by automakers, to 21.1 mpg..."
The Use of Agricultural Offsets to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
"Today [12/3/09] CBO’s Assistant Director for Microeconomic Studies, Joseph Kile, testified before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research on the use of agricultural offsets as part of a cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gases. Discussions about reducing greenhouse gases often focus on limiting the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity or power cars and trucks, yet a variety of other actions—including changing methods of farming and lessening deforestation—could also reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Those activities, which would not be subject to limits on emissions under a cap-and-trade program, would have the potential to “offset” the burden of reducing emissions and reduce the net cost of achieving the environmental objective. This testimony draws upon CBO’s August 2009 brief on the use of offsets as well as our analysis of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which was passed by the House of Representatives..."
"Today [12/3/09] CBO’s Assistant Director for Microeconomic Studies, Joseph Kile, testified before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research on the use of agricultural offsets as part of a cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gases. Discussions about reducing greenhouse gases often focus on limiting the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity or power cars and trucks, yet a variety of other actions—including changing methods of farming and lessening deforestation—could also reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Those activities, which would not be subject to limits on emissions under a cap-and-trade program, would have the potential to “offset” the burden of reducing emissions and reduce the net cost of achieving the environmental objective. This testimony draws upon CBO’s August 2009 brief on the use of offsets as well as our analysis of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which was passed by the House of Representatives..."
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Mental Health Advisory Team VI
"Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to face stress from multiple deployments into combat, but report being more adequately prepared for the stresses of deployments. Those were among findings of two teams of behavioral-health experts who surveyed and interviewed troops in the theater as part of the sixth Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT).
Another notable conclusion is that “dwell time” at home between deployments is important to Soldier mental health.
“The dwell time effect is pretty strong. It turned out to be more important than some of the other variables,” commented Lt. Col. Paul D. Bliese, director of the division of psychiatry and neuroscience at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Bliese led the team in Iraq.
“Cumulative time deployed was less important than immediate dwell time. In other words, someone who had a total of 20 months deployed over several years and 12 months dwell time was better off than someone with 12 months of total deployment, but only eight months dwell time,” Bliese added. The team in Iraq found that behavioral-health problems in maneuver units return to near garrison rates (about 10 percent with problems) after 24 months of dwell time, and completely returned after 30 to 36 months of dwell time.
The teams, working in Iraq from February to March and in Afghanistan from April to June, formed the sixth Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT VI) since the start of the wars, evaluating the psychological health of troops and the behavioral-health care resources in theater. The teams included research psychologists, a social worker, a psychiatric nurse and enlisted behavioral-health specialists. This year sergeants major from WRAIR and U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command also participated..."
"Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to face stress from multiple deployments into combat, but report being more adequately prepared for the stresses of deployments. Those were among findings of two teams of behavioral-health experts who surveyed and interviewed troops in the theater as part of the sixth Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT).
Another notable conclusion is that “dwell time” at home between deployments is important to Soldier mental health.
“The dwell time effect is pretty strong. It turned out to be more important than some of the other variables,” commented Lt. Col. Paul D. Bliese, director of the division of psychiatry and neuroscience at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Bliese led the team in Iraq.
“Cumulative time deployed was less important than immediate dwell time. In other words, someone who had a total of 20 months deployed over several years and 12 months dwell time was better off than someone with 12 months of total deployment, but only eight months dwell time,” Bliese added. The team in Iraq found that behavioral-health problems in maneuver units return to near garrison rates (about 10 percent with problems) after 24 months of dwell time, and completely returned after 30 to 36 months of dwell time.
The teams, working in Iraq from February to March and in Afghanistan from April to June, formed the sixth Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT VI) since the start of the wars, evaluating the psychological health of troops and the behavioral-health care resources in theater. The teams included research psychologists, a social worker, a psychiatric nurse and enlisted behavioral-health specialists. This year sergeants major from WRAIR and U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command also participated..."
Commission Issues 2009 Report on U.S. Ethanol Market Concentration
"he Commission has issued the “2009 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration.” This is the FTC’s fifth annual report on the state of ethanol production in the United States, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The report concludes that the U.S. fuel ethanol market, measured either on the basis of production capacity or on actual production, remains unconcentrated.
As of September 2009, 160 firms produced ethanol in the United States – the same number as cited in the FTC’s 2008 report. In addition, the largest ethanol producer’s share of capacity remained the same, at 11 percent of domestic ethanol production capacity, down from 16 percent in 2007, 21 percent in 2006, 26 percent in 2005, and 41 percent in 2000..."
View the full report
"he Commission has issued the “2009 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration.” This is the FTC’s fifth annual report on the state of ethanol production in the United States, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The report concludes that the U.S. fuel ethanol market, measured either on the basis of production capacity or on actual production, remains unconcentrated.
As of September 2009, 160 firms produced ethanol in the United States – the same number as cited in the FTC’s 2008 report. In addition, the largest ethanol producer’s share of capacity remained the same, at 11 percent of domestic ethanol production capacity, down from 16 percent in 2007, 21 percent in 2006, 26 percent in 2005, and 41 percent in 2000..."
View the full report
Promotional Spending for Prescription Drugs
"Pharmaceutical companies’ efforts to promote prescription drugs have attracted the attention of policymakers because such activities may affect the rate at which different drugs are prescribed and consumed, the total amount spent on health care, and, ultimately, health outcomes. Those promotional activities—usually undertaken on behalf of brand-name, rather than generic, drugs—may
influence consumers and health care professionals through a variety of channels. For example, advertisements for prescription drugs that are aimed at consumers may prompt individuals to seek medical treatment they might otherwise have delayed. Such advertisements may also influence
individuals to request a specific drug that is higher or lower in price or that is more or less effective than one they had previously used. Promotional efforts aimed at physicians may help them keep abreast of the latest drug therapies and improve their ability to treat patients. Those
efforts may also lead doctors to prescribe brand-name medications that are more expensive than alternatives..."
"Pharmaceutical companies’ efforts to promote prescription drugs have attracted the attention of policymakers because such activities may affect the rate at which different drugs are prescribed and consumed, the total amount spent on health care, and, ultimately, health outcomes. Those promotional activities—usually undertaken on behalf of brand-name, rather than generic, drugs—may
influence consumers and health care professionals through a variety of channels. For example, advertisements for prescription drugs that are aimed at consumers may prompt individuals to seek medical treatment they might otherwise have delayed. Such advertisements may also influence
individuals to request a specific drug that is higher or lower in price or that is more or less effective than one they had previously used. Promotional efforts aimed at physicians may help them keep abreast of the latest drug therapies and improve their ability to treat patients. Those
efforts may also lead doctors to prescribe brand-name medications that are more expensive than alternatives..."
The Market Structure of the Health Insurance Industry
"Evidence suggests that health insurance markets are highly concentrated in many local areas.
Many large firms that offer health insurance benefits to their employees have self-insured, which
may put some competitive pressure on insurers, although this is unlikely to improve market
conditions for other consumers. The exercise of market power by firms in concentrated markets
generally leads to higher prices and reduced output—high premiums and limited access to health
insurance—combined with high profits. Many other characteristics of the health insurance
markets, however, also contribute to rising costs and limited access to affordable health insurance.Rising health care costs, in particular, play a key role in rising health insurance costs.
Health costs appear to have increased over time in large part because of complex interactions
among health insurance, health care providers, employers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, tax
policy, and the medical technology industry. Reducing the growth trajectory of health care costs
may require policies that affect these interactions. Policies focused only on health insurance
sector reform may yield some results, but are unlikely to solve larger cost growth and limited
access problems. This report will be updated as events warrant..."
"Evidence suggests that health insurance markets are highly concentrated in many local areas.
Many large firms that offer health insurance benefits to their employees have self-insured, which
may put some competitive pressure on insurers, although this is unlikely to improve market
conditions for other consumers. The exercise of market power by firms in concentrated markets
generally leads to higher prices and reduced output—high premiums and limited access to health
insurance—combined with high profits. Many other characteristics of the health insurance
markets, however, also contribute to rising costs and limited access to affordable health insurance.Rising health care costs, in particular, play a key role in rising health insurance costs.
Health costs appear to have increased over time in large part because of complex interactions
among health insurance, health care providers, employers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, tax
policy, and the medical technology industry. Reducing the growth trajectory of health care costs
may require policies that affect these interactions. Policies focused only on health insurance
sector reform may yield some results, but are unlikely to solve larger cost growth and limited
access problems. This report will be updated as events warrant..."
FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households
"In January 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) sponsored a special supplement to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect national, state, and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) data on the number of U.S. households that are unbanked and underbanked, their demographic characteristics, and their reasons for being unbanked and under-
banked...
• An estimated 7.7 percent of U.S. households, approximately 9 million, are unbanked. At least 17 million adults reside in these unbanked households...
• The proportion of U.S. households that are unbanked varies considerably among different racial
and ethnic groups, with certain racial and ethnic minorities more likely to be unbanked than the
population as a whole. Minorities more likely to be unbanked include blacks (an estimated 21.7 percent of black households are unbanked), Hispanics (19.3 percent), and American Indian/Alaskans (15.6 percent). Racial groups less likely to be unbanked are Asians (3.5 percent) and whites (3.3 percent)..."
"In January 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) sponsored a special supplement to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect national, state, and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) data on the number of U.S. households that are unbanked and underbanked, their demographic characteristics, and their reasons for being unbanked and under-
banked...
• An estimated 7.7 percent of U.S. households, approximately 9 million, are unbanked. At least 17 million adults reside in these unbanked households...
• The proportion of U.S. households that are unbanked varies considerably among different racial
and ethnic groups, with certain racial and ethnic minorities more likely to be unbanked than the
population as a whole. Minorities more likely to be unbanked include blacks (an estimated 21.7 percent of black households are unbanked), Hispanics (19.3 percent), and American Indian/Alaskans (15.6 percent). Racial groups less likely to be unbanked are Asians (3.5 percent) and whites (3.3 percent)..."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Building Decontamination Alternatives Report
"EPA has published a building decontamination alternatives report, which provides information on how to effectively decontaminate buildings that are contaminated with chemical or biological (CB) warfare agents or toxic industrial compounds. The report includes the review for three categories of technologies:
Liquid
Foam and gel
Gas and vapor-phase.
The following information is provided for each technology reviewed:
A description
An assessment of the technical maturity
An evaluation of existing data (wherever possible, information on material compatibilities, hardware performance, and generation of by-products is provided)
Current uses in addition to building decontamination
User concerns (e.g., health and safety issues)
Advantages and disadvantages
Future research areas..."
"EPA has published a building decontamination alternatives report, which provides information on how to effectively decontaminate buildings that are contaminated with chemical or biological (CB) warfare agents or toxic industrial compounds. The report includes the review for three categories of technologies:
Liquid
Foam and gel
Gas and vapor-phase.
The following information is provided for each technology reviewed:
A description
An assessment of the technical maturity
An evaluation of existing data (wherever possible, information on material compatibilities, hardware performance, and generation of by-products is provided)
Current uses in addition to building decontamination
User concerns (e.g., health and safety issues)
Advantages and disadvantages
Future research areas..."
From the GovGab blog:
Keep Your Free Credit Report Free
"I'm sure after your Black Friday shopping some of you are wondering if you hurt your credit. By law you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the major credit bureaus---Experian, Equifax and TransUnion---and you can find out how to get it at annualcreditreport.com.
It's important to go to that website in particular because as Colleen showed us back in March some websites lure you in and charge you monthly fees. You may have seen TV advertisements from other companies which show people singing about their misfortune due to not checking their credit. When I wanted to check my credit, I signed up for a credit report from one of these websites. Suddenly, I found myself paying $15 a month to find out that nothing on my credit report had changed.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gets complaints about situations like mine and has aired advertisements like the one above to get people to the right website. In October, the FTC proposed new rules to curb consumer confusion and stop deceptive marketing regarding free credit report advertisements. The proposed rules include requirements for these companies to put disclaimers on their advertisements and websites so consumers are less confused. FTC's deadline to implement the new rules is February 22, 2010.
Keep Your Free Credit Report Free
"I'm sure after your Black Friday shopping some of you are wondering if you hurt your credit. By law you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the major credit bureaus---Experian, Equifax and TransUnion---and you can find out how to get it at annualcreditreport.com.
It's important to go to that website in particular because as Colleen showed us back in March some websites lure you in and charge you monthly fees. You may have seen TV advertisements from other companies which show people singing about their misfortune due to not checking their credit. When I wanted to check my credit, I signed up for a credit report from one of these websites. Suddenly, I found myself paying $15 a month to find out that nothing on my credit report had changed.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gets complaints about situations like mine and has aired advertisements like the one above to get people to the right website. In October, the FTC proposed new rules to curb consumer confusion and stop deceptive marketing regarding free credit report advertisements. The proposed rules include requirements for these companies to put disclaimers on their advertisements and websites so consumers are less confused. FTC's deadline to implement the new rules is February 22, 2010.
US Labor Department releases updated Employment Law Guide
"The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of an updated version of its popular Employment Law Guide, an online publication that describes the major employment laws administered by the department. The Guide helps the public — workers and employers — understand many of the laws affecting the workplace. For instance, it helps small businesses develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies. It also benefits employees and employee representatives who need information about worker rights and responsibilities under federal employment laws.
"Fair and safe practices in the workplace are a top priority for the Department of Labor, and we want to make it simple for both employers and workers to understand the federal policies that protect them," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Our new Employment Law Guide provides updated and user-friendly information and guidance. We encourage everyone to use it."
Following a topical format and written in plain language, the Employment Law Guide is especially helpful for employers without a dedicated legal or human resources staff. The updated version addresses recent and important changes in employment laws, including the increase in the federal minimum wage and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act that grants qualified relatives of veterans leave to care for ill or injured uniformed service members or to fulfill obligations that arise when a relative is called to active duty in the military. The Guide also now includes a chapter on child labor regulations in the agriculture industry and one on the Defense Base Act, which provides workers' compensation benefits to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under certain contracts with the U.S.."
View the revised Employment Law Guide
"The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of an updated version of its popular Employment Law Guide, an online publication that describes the major employment laws administered by the department. The Guide helps the public — workers and employers — understand many of the laws affecting the workplace. For instance, it helps small businesses develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies. It also benefits employees and employee representatives who need information about worker rights and responsibilities under federal employment laws.
"Fair and safe practices in the workplace are a top priority for the Department of Labor, and we want to make it simple for both employers and workers to understand the federal policies that protect them," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Our new Employment Law Guide provides updated and user-friendly information and guidance. We encourage everyone to use it."
Following a topical format and written in plain language, the Employment Law Guide is especially helpful for employers without a dedicated legal or human resources staff. The updated version addresses recent and important changes in employment laws, including the increase in the federal minimum wage and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act that grants qualified relatives of veterans leave to care for ill or injured uniformed service members or to fulfill obligations that arise when a relative is called to active duty in the military. The Guide also now includes a chapter on child labor regulations in the agriculture industry and one on the Defense Base Act, which provides workers' compensation benefits to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under certain contracts with the U.S.."
View the revised Employment Law Guide
Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output as of September 2009 - November 2009
"...Recipients reported that about 640,000 jobs were created or retained with ARRA funding through September 2009. Such reports, however, do not provide a comprehensive estimate of the laws impact on employment in the United States.The impact may be higher or lower for several reasons(in addition to any issues about the quality of data in the report). First, it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package. Second, the reports filed by recipients measure only the jobs created by employers who received ARRA funding directly or by their immediate subcontractors(so-called primary and secondary recipients). Third, the report do not attempt to report the number of jobs that may have been created or retained indirectly as greater income from recipients boosted demand for products and services. Fourth, the recipients' reports cover only certain appropriations made under ARRA, which encompass only about one-quarter of the total amount spent by the government or conveyed by tax reductions in ARRA through September 2009. The report does not measure the effect of other provisions of the stimulus package, such as tax cuts and transfer payments to individuals..."
"...Recipients reported that about 640,000 jobs were created or retained with ARRA funding through September 2009. Such reports, however, do not provide a comprehensive estimate of the laws impact on employment in the United States.The impact may be higher or lower for several reasons(in addition to any issues about the quality of data in the report). First, it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package. Second, the reports filed by recipients measure only the jobs created by employers who received ARRA funding directly or by their immediate subcontractors(so-called primary and secondary recipients). Third, the report do not attempt to report the number of jobs that may have been created or retained indirectly as greater income from recipients boosted demand for products and services. Fourth, the recipients' reports cover only certain appropriations made under ARRA, which encompass only about one-quarter of the total amount spent by the government or conveyed by tax reductions in ARRA through September 2009. The report does not measure the effect of other provisions of the stimulus package, such as tax cuts and transfer payments to individuals..."
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