Economic Stimulus: Issues and Policies
"...Fiscal policy temporarily stimulates the economy through an increase in spending which also, if not offset by increases in revenue, increases the budget deficit. There is a consensus that certain proposals, ones that result in more spending, can be implemented quickly, and leave no long-term effect on the budget deficit, would increase the benefits and reduce the costs of fiscal stimulus relative to other proposals. Economists generally agree that spending proposals are somewhat
more stimulative than tax cuts since part of a tax cut may be saved by the recipients. The most important determinant of the effect on the economy is the stimulus’ size. The recent stimulus package increased the deficit by about 1% of GDP."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The State of the Economy and Issues in Developing an Effective Policy Response
Statement of Douglas E. Elmendorf, Direcotor of the Congressional Budget Office before the Committee on the Budget, U.S. House of Representatives, January 27, 2009.in
Statement of Douglas E. Elmendorf, Direcotor of the Congressional Budget Office before the Committee on the Budget, U.S. House of Representatives, January 27, 2009.in
Monday, January 26, 2009
WhoRunsGov.com
"WhoRunsGov.com offers a unique look at the world of Washington through its key players and personalities. It’s your window into how deals get made and policy is shaped in the new Obama administration that is remaking the nation’s capital.."
A new site of the Washington Post.
"WhoRunsGov.com offers a unique look at the world of Washington through its key players and personalities. It’s your window into how deals get made and policy is shaped in the new Obama administration that is remaking the nation’s capital.."
A new site of the Washington Post.
Getting Beyond Getting Ready for Pandemic Influenza
Report of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Report prepared by by Majority Staff.
Report of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Report prepared by by Majority Staff.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
VOLUNTEERING IN THE UNITED STATES, 2008
"About 61.8 million people, or 26.4 percent of the population, volun-
teered through or for an organization at least once between September
2007 and September 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today. Both the level and rate of volun-
teering were essentially unchanged from the prior year..."
"About 61.8 million people, or 26.4 percent of the population, volun-
teered through or for an organization at least once between September
2007 and September 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today. Both the level and rate of volun-
teering were essentially unchanged from the prior year..."
FTC Launches Redress Program for Mortgage Loan Victims
"The Federal Trade Commission today announced that the agency returned almost $28 million to consumers this week as a result of a settlement with The Bear Stearns Companies, LLC and EMC Mortgage Corporation. Using the defendants’ records, about 86,000 consumers who had mortgage loans serviced by EMC have been mailed redress checks.
In September 2008, Bear Stearns and EMC agreed to pay $28 million to settle FTC charges that they engaged in unlawful practices in servicing consumers’ home mortgage loans. The companies allegedly misrepresented the amounts borrowers owed, charged unauthorized fees, such as late fees, property inspection fees, and loan modification fees, and engaged in unlawful and abusive collection practices. Consumers who have been mailed redress checks paid unauthorized fees to EMC and/or had a home foreclosed upon by EMC.
EMC consumers with questions should call the redress administrator at 1-877-225-7510."
"The Federal Trade Commission today announced that the agency returned almost $28 million to consumers this week as a result of a settlement with The Bear Stearns Companies, LLC and EMC Mortgage Corporation. Using the defendants’ records, about 86,000 consumers who had mortgage loans serviced by EMC have been mailed redress checks.
In September 2008, Bear Stearns and EMC agreed to pay $28 million to settle FTC charges that they engaged in unlawful practices in servicing consumers’ home mortgage loans. The companies allegedly misrepresented the amounts borrowers owed, charged unauthorized fees, such as late fees, property inspection fees, and loan modification fees, and engaged in unlawful and abusive collection practices. Consumers who have been mailed redress checks paid unauthorized fees to EMC and/or had a home foreclosed upon by EMC.
EMC consumers with questions should call the redress administrator at 1-877-225-7510."
Electric Power Annual, 2007
"n 2007, average retail electricity prices increased 2.6 percent from 8.9 to 9.1 cents per kilowatthour (kWh) This followed a 3-year period during which average fossil fuel prices for electricity generation increased a cumulative 30.2 percent. As fuel prices increased 30.2 percent, the National average retail price of electricity increased 17.0 percent from 7.6 cents per kWh in 2004 to 8.9 per kWh in 2006. Fossil fuel prices increased an additional 7.0 percent in 2007, contributing to the 2.6 percent average retail electricity rate..."
"n 2007, average retail electricity prices increased 2.6 percent from 8.9 to 9.1 cents per kilowatthour (kWh) This followed a 3-year period during which average fossil fuel prices for electricity generation increased a cumulative 30.2 percent. As fuel prices increased 30.2 percent, the National average retail price of electricity increased 17.0 percent from 7.6 cents per kWh in 2004 to 8.9 per kWh in 2006. Fossil fuel prices increased an additional 7.0 percent in 2007, contributing to the 2.6 percent average retail electricity rate..."
Annual Superfund Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 2008
"As the amount of funds available for Superfund work continues to diminish, it becomes increasingly imperative for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to spend its Superfund dollars as prudently as possible to achieve maximum benefits from dollars available. This report covers the Fiscal Year 2008 Superfund activity of the EPA Office of Inspector General. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 requires the Office of Inspector General to annually audit the Superfund program and report the results to Congress.
Although EPA regions have recovered 56 percent of the total Superfund costs from sites reviewed during an evaluation, they could recover more. EPA had not collected as much as $129 million (44 percent), and determined it will not attempt to recover between $30 million and $90 million of that amount. This indicates a potentially significant breakdown in controls over Superfund cost recovery."
"As the amount of funds available for Superfund work continues to diminish, it becomes increasingly imperative for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to spend its Superfund dollars as prudently as possible to achieve maximum benefits from dollars available. This report covers the Fiscal Year 2008 Superfund activity of the EPA Office of Inspector General. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 requires the Office of Inspector General to annually audit the Superfund program and report the results to Congress.
Although EPA regions have recovered 56 percent of the total Superfund costs from sites reviewed during an evaluation, they could recover more. EPA had not collected as much as $129 million (44 percent), and determined it will not attempt to recover between $30 million and $90 million of that amount. This indicates a potentially significant breakdown in controls over Superfund cost recovery."
Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents
"The Compilation of Presidential Documents collection is composed of the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents and its predecessor, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. It is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the authority of the Federal Register Act, (44 U.S.C. Ch. 15")
"The Compilation of Presidential Documents collection is composed of the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents and its predecessor, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. It is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the authority of the Federal Register Act, (44 U.S.C. Ch. 15")
2009 Poverty Guidelines
"The poverty thresholds are the original version of the federal poverty measure. They are updated each year by the Census Bureau (although they were originally developed by Mollie Orshansky of the Social Security Administration). The thresholds are used mainly for statistical purposes — for instance, preparing estimates of the number of Americans in poverty each year. (In other words, all official poverty population figures are calculated using the poverty thresholds, not the guidelines.) Poverty thresholds since 1980 and weighted average poverty thresholds since 1959 are available on the Census Bureau’s Web site. For an example of how the Census Bureau applies the thresholds to a family’s income to determine its poverty status, see “How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty” on the Census Bureau’s web site.
The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for use for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. The Federal Register notice with the 2009 poverty guidelines (PDF - 3 pages).
The poverty guidelines are sometimes loosely referred to as the “federal poverty level” (FPL), but that phrase is ambiguous and should be avoided, especially in situations (e.g., legislative or administrative) where precision is important.
Key differences between poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines are outlined in a table under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). See also the discussion of this topic on the Institute for Research on Poverty’s web site."
"The poverty thresholds are the original version of the federal poverty measure. They are updated each year by the Census Bureau (although they were originally developed by Mollie Orshansky of the Social Security Administration). The thresholds are used mainly for statistical purposes — for instance, preparing estimates of the number of Americans in poverty each year. (In other words, all official poverty population figures are calculated using the poverty thresholds, not the guidelines.) Poverty thresholds since 1980 and weighted average poverty thresholds since 1959 are available on the Census Bureau’s Web site. For an example of how the Census Bureau applies the thresholds to a family’s income to determine its poverty status, see “How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty” on the Census Bureau’s web site.
The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for use for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. The Federal Register notice with the 2009 poverty guidelines (PDF - 3 pages).
The poverty guidelines are sometimes loosely referred to as the “federal poverty level” (FPL), but that phrase is ambiguous and should be avoided, especially in situations (e.g., legislative or administrative) where precision is important.
Key differences between poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines are outlined in a table under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). See also the discussion of this topic on the Institute for Research on Poverty’s web site."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
REPORT ON THE HISPANIC EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
"On May 21, 2008, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp, in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, announced the creation of a Federal Hispanic Work Group. This event marked the culmination of a series of discussions between the Chair and representatives of the Hispanic federal and EEO communities.
The Hispanic Work Group was directed to examine concerns about federal sector employment including, but not limited to, hiring, leadership development and retention. More importantly, the Work Group was given the responsibility of formulating recommendations designed to enhance and refocus federal Hispanic employment plans, and to remove barriers and level the playing field to encourage greater opportunities for Hispanic applicants and employees throughout the federal government. The Work Group was tasked with issuing a report containing both assessments of the problems, as well as issues and recommendations on how to resolve them. The enclosed report constitutes the Work Group’s recommendations to the EEOC Chair..."
"On May 21, 2008, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp, in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, announced the creation of a Federal Hispanic Work Group. This event marked the culmination of a series of discussions between the Chair and representatives of the Hispanic federal and EEO communities.
The Hispanic Work Group was directed to examine concerns about federal sector employment including, but not limited to, hiring, leadership development and retention. More importantly, the Work Group was given the responsibility of formulating recommendations designed to enhance and refocus federal Hispanic employment plans, and to remove barriers and level the playing field to encourage greater opportunities for Hispanic applicants and employees throughout the federal government. The Work Group was tasked with issuing a report containing both assessments of the problems, as well as issues and recommendations on how to resolve them. The enclosed report constitutes the Work Group’s recommendations to the EEOC Chair..."
National Drug Control Strategy, 2009 Annual Report
The first National Drug Control Strategy was issued by the Bush Administration in 2002. Its goal was to reduce youth drug use by 10% in 2 years and by 25% within 5 years. The current report surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students and found that illicit drug use by teenagers had declined by 25% in the last seven years. Marijuana use has fallen by 25% and other drugs such as MDMA/Ecstasy, LSD, and methamphetamine have dropped significantly.
The first National Drug Control Strategy was issued by the Bush Administration in 2002. Its goal was to reduce youth drug use by 10% in 2 years and by 25% within 5 years. The current report surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students and found that illicit drug use by teenagers had declined by 25% in the last seven years. Marijuana use has fallen by 25% and other drugs such as MDMA/Ecstasy, LSD, and methamphetamine have dropped significantly.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak
"January 19, 2009: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a very active and dynamic investigation into the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. At this time, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners have traced sources of Salmonella Typhimurium contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which manufactures peanut butter and peanut paste—a concentrated product consisting of ground, roasted peanuts—that are both distributed to food manufacturers to be used as an ingredient in many commercially produced products including cakes, cookies, crackers, candies, cereal and ice cream. In addition, PCA peanut butter is distributed to and institutionally served in such settings as long-term care facilities and cafeterias."
"January 19, 2009: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a very active and dynamic investigation into the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. At this time, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners have traced sources of Salmonella Typhimurium contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which manufactures peanut butter and peanut paste—a concentrated product consisting of ground, roasted peanuts—that are both distributed to food manufacturers to be used as an ingredient in many commercially produced products including cakes, cookies, crackers, candies, cereal and ice cream. In addition, PCA peanut butter is distributed to and institutionally served in such settings as long-term care facilities and cafeterias."
FEMA: Presidential Transition Team Binder, 2009
"This document, the FEMA 2009 Presidential Transition Binder, consisting of six tabs as described below, is intended to serve as a reference for FEMA leadership and employees to help orient them to its organizational structure, programs, resources, stakeholders, and operations."
"This document, the FEMA 2009 Presidential Transition Binder, consisting of six tabs as described below, is intended to serve as a reference for FEMA leadership and employees to help orient them to its organizational structure, programs, resources, stakeholders, and operations."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
