Mandatory Flood Insurance Purchase in Remapped Residual Risk Areas Behind Levees
"This report examines the amount of flood insurance that must be purchased (and retained) on
loans secured by real property located in federally designated special flood hazard areas (SFHAs).
It is written in response to three situations: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s
remapping efforts that include verifying the status of all levees as providing protection against a
100-year flood, which are currently depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and widespread
concerns among homeowners about new requirements to purchase flood insurance should the
levee become decertified; (2) uncertainty as to whether the mandatory amount of flood insurance
should be equal to the assessed value of the insured residential structure or the unpaid principal
balance (UPB) of the mortgage loan; and (3) concerns that homeowners may be inappropriately
asked to purchase an amount of flood insurance that is several times the value of the actual
property. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ballast Water Management to Combat Invasive Species
"In late August 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard published proposed regulations to establish
quantitative standards for ballast water treatment. The proposed standards would initially follow
standards developed by the International Maritime Organization. In a subsequent phase, the
quantitative standards would become much more stringent, given sufficient technological
development to support achievement of the higher standards. The proposed Coast Guard
standards would not preempt existing state ballast water management standards.
This report provides background on various approaches to ballast water management and reviews
current ballast water management laws and programs. This report will be updated as this issue evolves."
"In late August 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard published proposed regulations to establish
quantitative standards for ballast water treatment. The proposed standards would initially follow
standards developed by the International Maritime Organization. In a subsequent phase, the
quantitative standards would become much more stringent, given sufficient technological
development to support achievement of the higher standards. The proposed Coast Guard
standards would not preempt existing state ballast water management standards.
This report provides background on various approaches to ballast water management and reviews
current ballast water management laws and programs. This report will be updated as this issue evolves."
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Metropolitan Transportation Planning
"Federal law requires state and local governments to designate a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in each urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more to help plan surface transportation infrastructure and services. There are currently 381 MPOs nationwide. Despite some strengthening of their authority over the years, MPOs have generally remained subordinate to state departments of transportation (DOTs) in the planning and selecting (“programming”) of projects using federal surface transportation funds. Moreover, it can be argued that at the metropolitan level MPOs are subordinate to local governments that own and
operate many elements of the transportation system, and also control land use planning and zoning.
Because of the perceived weakness of MPOs, some in the transportation community have argued that they ought to be given much more power over the planning and programming of projects using federal surface transportation funds. Some of these observers go so far as to suggest that federal policies and programs in a number of areas, including transportation, housing, and the environment, need to be coordinated on a metropolitan scale, and that MPOs are the organizational venue where this should occur. Others argue that the relationship between state government, local government, and MPOs is well-balanced and should not be changed. A third view is that metropolitan transportation planning is controlled by planners who often harbor anticar views, and consequently, MPOs can be actually detrimental to well-functioning metropolitan transportation systems. In this view, MPOs should be abolished or, at the very least, have their functions significantly curtailed..."
"Federal law requires state and local governments to designate a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in each urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more to help plan surface transportation infrastructure and services. There are currently 381 MPOs nationwide. Despite some strengthening of their authority over the years, MPOs have generally remained subordinate to state departments of transportation (DOTs) in the planning and selecting (“programming”) of projects using federal surface transportation funds. Moreover, it can be argued that at the metropolitan level MPOs are subordinate to local governments that own and
operate many elements of the transportation system, and also control land use planning and zoning.
Because of the perceived weakness of MPOs, some in the transportation community have argued that they ought to be given much more power over the planning and programming of projects using federal surface transportation funds. Some of these observers go so far as to suggest that federal policies and programs in a number of areas, including transportation, housing, and the environment, need to be coordinated on a metropolitan scale, and that MPOs are the organizational venue where this should occur. Others argue that the relationship between state government, local government, and MPOs is well-balanced and should not be changed. A third view is that metropolitan transportation planning is controlled by planners who often harbor anticar views, and consequently, MPOs can be actually detrimental to well-functioning metropolitan transportation systems. In this view, MPOs should be abolished or, at the very least, have their functions significantly curtailed..."
Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen.
Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency’s press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as 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...”
"This report collects statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001, and is ongoing. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen.
Casualty data of U.S. military forces are compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency’s press releases. Also included are statistics on those wounded but not killed. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as 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...”
Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues
"...This report provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, including the findings of an Independent Study Group (ISG) with respect to the increased sharing of satellite intelligence data. There follows a discussion of legal considerations, including whether satellite reconnaissance might constitute a “search” within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment; an overview of statutory authorities, as well as
restrictions that might apply; and a brief description of executive branch authorities and Department of Defense directives that might apply. The report concludes by discussing policy issues Congress may consider as it deliberates the potential advantages and pitfalls that may be encountered in expanding the role of satellite intelligence for homeland security purposes."
"...This report provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, including the findings of an Independent Study Group (ISG) with respect to the increased sharing of satellite intelligence data. There follows a discussion of legal considerations, including whether satellite reconnaissance might constitute a “search” within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment; an overview of statutory authorities, as well as
restrictions that might apply; and a brief description of executive branch authorities and Department of Defense directives that might apply. The report concludes by discussing policy issues Congress may consider as it deliberates the potential advantages and pitfalls that may be encountered in expanding the role of satellite intelligence for homeland security purposes."
Vice President Biden Announces Nearly 200 New Recovery Act Transit Projects in 42 States
"Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced funding for 191 new Recovery Act transit projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico that will help transform the nation’s infrastructure and support thousands of jobs across the country. In making the over $600 million in new awards, the Federal Transit Administration met an aggressive deadline to award 100 percent of its Recovery Act transit formula dollars by March 5.
Since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009, the FTA has awarded 881 grants totaling $7.5 billion, which means all the formula transit funds provided by the Recovery Act have now been “obligated” or committed to specific transit projects. Once funds are obligated to a project, contracts can be bid, workers can be hired, buses and rail cars can be purchased and work can begin on transit construction projects that create jobs and drive economic growth. Recovery Act transit projects have already generated enough work to employ thousands of people nationwide and activity is expected to ramp up even further in the months ahead as new projects break ground and equipment orders are fulfilled..."
"Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced funding for 191 new Recovery Act transit projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico that will help transform the nation’s infrastructure and support thousands of jobs across the country. In making the over $600 million in new awards, the Federal Transit Administration met an aggressive deadline to award 100 percent of its Recovery Act transit formula dollars by March 5.
Since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009, the FTA has awarded 881 grants totaling $7.5 billion, which means all the formula transit funds provided by the Recovery Act have now been “obligated” or committed to specific transit projects. Once funds are obligated to a project, contracts can be bid, workers can be hired, buses and rail cars can be purchased and work can begin on transit construction projects that create jobs and drive economic growth. Recovery Act transit projects have already generated enough work to employ thousands of people nationwide and activity is expected to ramp up even further in the months ahead as new projects break ground and equipment orders are fulfilled..."
2010 Census Arrives Next Week, March 15-19 2010
"The 2010 Census will arrive in the mailboxes of more than 120 million households next week. Is your community ready?
We are asking leaders nationwide to take part in the *Take 10 Challenge* - Inspire your constituents to take 10 minutes to fill out and mail back their 2010 Census forms..."
"The 2010 Census will arrive in the mailboxes of more than 120 million households next week. Is your community ready?
We are asking leaders nationwide to take part in the *Take 10 Challenge* - Inspire your constituents to take 10 minutes to fill out and mail back their 2010 Census forms..."
Monday, March 8, 2010
EPA Announces Superfund Cleanup Progress for FY 2009
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the annual summary of the Superfund program’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 progress. The report shows that the program continues to make significant progress in achieving its mission of cleaning up the country’s most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites and protecting the health of nearby communities and ecosystems from harmful contaminants.
In FY 2009, which ended on Sept. 30, EPA completed all of its construction projects at 20 sites, for a cumulative total of 1,080 sites with construction completed – 67 percent of the top priority sites ranked on the National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund has continued to protect communities and the environment by listing 20 new sites and proposing that 23 sites be added to the NPL in FY 2009.."
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the annual summary of the Superfund program’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 progress. The report shows that the program continues to make significant progress in achieving its mission of cleaning up the country’s most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites and protecting the health of nearby communities and ecosystems from harmful contaminants.
In FY 2009, which ended on Sept. 30, EPA completed all of its construction projects at 20 sites, for a cumulative total of 1,080 sites with construction completed – 67 percent of the top priority sites ranked on the National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund has continued to protect communities and the environment by listing 20 new sites and proposing that 23 sites be added to the NPL in FY 2009.."
Congressional Budget Office's Estimate of the Budgetary Effects of the President's Budget.
"CBO’s preliminary analysis indicates the following:
If the President’s proposals were enacted, the federal government would record deficits
of $1.5 trillion in 2010 and $1.3 trillion in 2011. Those deficits would
amount to 10.3 percent and 8.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively.
By comparison, the deficit in 2009 totaled 9.9 percent of GDP.
Measured relative to the size of the economy, the deficit under the President’s proposals
would fall to about 4 percent of GDP by 2014 but would rise steadily thereafter.
Compared with CBO’s baseline projections, deficits under the proposals
would be about 2 percentage points of GDP higher in fiscal years 2011 and 2012,
1.3 percentage points greater in 2013, and above baseline levels by growing
amounts thereafter. By 2020, the deficit would reach 5.6 percent of GDP, compared
with 3.0 percent under CBO’s baseline projections..."
"CBO’s preliminary analysis indicates the following:
If the President’s proposals were enacted, the federal government would record deficits
of $1.5 trillion in 2010 and $1.3 trillion in 2011. Those deficits would
amount to 10.3 percent and 8.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively.
By comparison, the deficit in 2009 totaled 9.9 percent of GDP.
Measured relative to the size of the economy, the deficit under the President’s proposals
would fall to about 4 percent of GDP by 2014 but would rise steadily thereafter.
Compared with CBO’s baseline projections, deficits under the proposals
would be about 2 percentage points of GDP higher in fiscal years 2011 and 2012,
1.3 percentage points greater in 2013, and above baseline levels by growing
amounts thereafter. By 2020, the deficit would reach 5.6 percent of GDP, compared
with 3.0 percent under CBO’s baseline projections..."
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
US Labor Department releases state-by-state figures on number of Americans who stand to lose unemployment benefits without congressional extension of program
"The U.S. Department of Labor today released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.
If Emergency Unemployment Compensation and full federal funding for the Extended Benefit program are not extended, 400,000 Americans will lose unemployment benefits during the first weeks in March. By May, nearly 3 million people could be left without these benefits. Furthermore, if the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not extended, thousands of families will lose access to affordable health care.
If the extension is not approved, an estimated 500,000 workers who lose their jobs will be ineligible for subsidies to cover the cost of health care over this month. Over the rest of 2010, an estimated 5 million workers will be ineligible for the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy that covers 65 percent of the cost of coverage. Without this assistance, many of these families will be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured..."
"The U.S. Department of Labor today released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.
If Emergency Unemployment Compensation and full federal funding for the Extended Benefit program are not extended, 400,000 Americans will lose unemployment benefits during the first weeks in March. By May, nearly 3 million people could be left without these benefits. Furthermore, if the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not extended, thousands of families will lose access to affordable health care.
If the extension is not approved, an estimated 500,000 workers who lose their jobs will be ineligible for subsidies to cover the cost of health care over this month. Over the rest of 2010, an estimated 5 million workers will be ineligible for the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy that covers 65 percent of the cost of coverage. Without this assistance, many of these families will be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured..."
Monday, March 1, 2010
U.S. Department of Education Makes Public State-by-State Restraint and Seclusion Information
"Today, the Department posted a summary of state laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools: http://www.ed.gov/policy/seclusion/seclusion-state-summary.html. The summary is a result of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s letter issued to Chief State School Officers on July 31, 2009, urging a review of current state policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. Since August, the Department’s regional Comprehensive Centers have researched and compiled information on state-by-state restraint and seclusion techniques..."
"Today, the Department posted a summary of state laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools: http://www.ed.gov/policy/seclusion/seclusion-state-summary.html. The summary is a result of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s letter issued to Chief State School Officers on July 31, 2009, urging a review of current state policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. Since August, the Department’s regional Comprehensive Centers have researched and compiled information on state-by-state restraint and seclusion techniques..."
Health United States, 2009
"Health, United States, 2009 is the 33rd report on the health status of the Nation. The report contains a Chartbook and 150 trend tables presenting current and historic information on the health of the U.S. population. The trend tables are organized around four major subject areas: health status and determinants, health care utilization, health care resources, and health care expenditures and payors. The 2009 Chartbook focuses on selected determinants and measures of health and includes a special feature on medical technology..."
"Health, United States, 2009 is the 33rd report on the health status of the Nation. The report contains a Chartbook and 150 trend tables presenting current and historic information on the health of the U.S. population. The trend tables are organized around four major subject areas: health status and determinants, health care utilization, health care resources, and health care expenditures and payors. The 2009 Chartbook focuses on selected determinants and measures of health and includes a special feature on medical technology..."
EEOC Issues New Data on Job Patterns in Private Sector
"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted extensive new data on job patterns in the private sector, as part of the Obama Administration’s Open Government Initiative.
The EEOC posted 11 new aggregate data sets from the most recent edition of its report Job Patterns for Minorities and Women in Private Industry, commonly known as the EEO-1 survey, on www.Data.gov. The EEO-1 raw data extracts for 2008 may be downloaded at http://www.data.gov/catalog/raw/category/0/agency/119/filter/2008/type//sort//page/1/count/25.
The EEOC also posted the data on a new Open Government page, which it launched today. That page, on the EEOC’s web site at http://www.eeoc.gov/open/, offers a one-stop location for EEOC statistics and other performance-related materials, and will soon also provide tools for the public to interact with the EEOC about information the agency provides and work it does. The page will eventually carry the agency’s comprehensive Open Government Plan..."
"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted extensive new data on job patterns in the private sector, as part of the Obama Administration’s Open Government Initiative.
The EEOC posted 11 new aggregate data sets from the most recent edition of its report Job Patterns for Minorities and Women in Private Industry, commonly known as the EEO-1 survey, on www.Data.gov. The EEO-1 raw data extracts for 2008 may be downloaded at http://www.data.gov/catalog/raw/category/0/agency/119/filter/2008/type//sort//page/1/count/25.
The EEOC also posted the data on a new Open Government page, which it launched today. That page, on the EEOC’s web site at http://www.eeoc.gov/open/, offers a one-stop location for EEOC statistics and other performance-related materials, and will soon also provide tools for the public to interact with the EEOC about information the agency provides and work it does. The page will eventually carry the agency’s comprehensive Open Government Plan..."
Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization
"Congress enacted the USA PATRIOT Act soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The most
controversial sections of the Act facilitate the federal government’s collection of more
information, from a greater number of sources, than had previously been authorized in criminal or
foreign intelligence investigations. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), and the national security letter (NSL) statutes
were all bolstered. With the changes came greater access to records showing an individual’s
spending and communication patterns as well as increased authority to intercept e-mail and
telephone conversations and to search homes and businesses. In some cases, evidentiary standards
required to obtain court approval for the collection of information were lowered. Other
approaches included expanding the scope of information subject to search, adding flexibility to
the methods by which information could be collected, and broadening the purposes for which
information may be sought..."
"Congress enacted the USA PATRIOT Act soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The most
controversial sections of the Act facilitate the federal government’s collection of more
information, from a greater number of sources, than had previously been authorized in criminal or
foreign intelligence investigations. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), and the national security letter (NSL) statutes
were all bolstered. With the changes came greater access to records showing an individual’s
spending and communication patterns as well as increased authority to intercept e-mail and
telephone conversations and to search homes and businesses. In some cases, evidentiary standards
required to obtain court approval for the collection of information were lowered. Other
approaches included expanding the scope of information subject to search, adding flexibility to
the methods by which information could be collected, and broadening the purposes for which
information may be sought..."
WHETHER THE TEN-YEAR MINIMUM SENTENCE IN 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(B)(i) APPLIES TO SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS
"MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL CRIMINAL DIVISION
You have asked whether possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime is conduct that remains subject to a mandatory ten-year minimum sentence. Having carefully considered the views of the Criminal Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), we conclude that semiautomatic assault weapons are no longer among the firearms to which the ten-year minimum sentence in section 924(c)(1)(B)(i) of title 18 applies. The 1994 amendment that increased the penalties for use of such firearms in section 924(c)(1) is subject to a sunset provision, and thus was repealed as of 2004. Accordingly, the possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of, or the use during and in relation to, a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime is subject to the general five-year mandatory minimum sentence provided for in section 924(c)(1)(A), with increased penalties for the brandishment or discharge of such weapon..."
"MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL CRIMINAL DIVISION
You have asked whether possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime is conduct that remains subject to a mandatory ten-year minimum sentence. Having carefully considered the views of the Criminal Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), we conclude that semiautomatic assault weapons are no longer among the firearms to which the ten-year minimum sentence in section 924(c)(1)(B)(i) of title 18 applies. The 1994 amendment that increased the penalties for use of such firearms in section 924(c)(1) is subject to a sunset provision, and thus was repealed as of 2004. Accordingly, the possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of, or the use during and in relation to, a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime is subject to the general five-year mandatory minimum sentence provided for in section 924(c)(1)(A), with increased penalties for the brandishment or discharge of such weapon..."
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