Government Publications Library Blog, University of Colorado at Boulder

New Report Released on President's Surveillance Program

2009-07-13T16:44:00.005-06:00

On Friday the U.S. intelligence community released its review of the President's Surveillance Program (PSP)--President Bush's post-9/11 authorization of the National Security Administration (NSA) to conduct a classified program, including warrantless wiretapping, to prevent terrorist attacks in the United States. The Unclassified Report on the President's Surveillance Program was authored by the offices of inspectors general of the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, CIA, NSA, and Director of National Intelligence. The 43-page report discusses the inception and implementation of the PSP, provides a legal reassessment of the program, and examines the program's impact on the intelligence community's counterrorism efforts. It concludes that there had been disagreements over the program's legality, that the program may not have contributed to counterterrorism efforts, and that the program "involved unprecedented collection activities . . . . [that] should be carefully monitored."

To get a news media point of view on the report, see this article in the New York Times.

For more resources, see our guide to Intelligence.

Government Prepares for Nationwide H1N1 Vaccines

2009-07-10T09:45:00.003-06:00

Yesterday the U.S. government held an H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit at the National Institutes of Health in an effort to promote its nationwide fall flu preparedness efforts (read the press release here). By mid-October, the federal government should receive around 100 million doses of vaccine, for which children, pregnant women, adults with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers would get first priority. The Washington Post claims that children could be vaccinated at school in a "mass campaign not seen since the polio epidemics of the 1950s."

The government has created a new website consolidating influenza information at www.flu.gov. You can find the latest CDC Recommendations for State and Local Planning for a 2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Program on the CDC website.

For additional resources, see our guide.

FAA to Strengthen Airline Safety Rules

2009-07-09T12:30:00.003-06:00

Spurred by the fatal Colgan Air crash near Buffalo, New York, in February, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to tighten its regulations, coming up with new flight and rest rules for airlines and requiring that airlines obtain all available FAA pilot records, among other actions. Denver will play host to one of a series of 10 regional safety forums, where the FAA hopes to discuss new practices that it wants airlines to adopt by July 31. Read the Denver Post article here.

In a June 24 press release, the FAA claimed that it would establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to develop recommendations for an FAA rule by September 1. On the FAA's website you can find synopses of airplane accidents such as the Colgan Air crash. You can find current FAA regulations here.

Want more resources? See our guide to Transportation.

G8 Summit Begins in Italy

2009-07-08T09:45:00.003-06:00

The Group of Eight (G8) summit began today in the earthquake-damaged city of L'Aquila, Italy. Representatives from member countries Canada, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States--as well as the European Union--met to discuss the global economy, international trade, climate change, assistance to developing countries, food safety, water access, world health, and international politics. See the official site of the 2009 summit for an agenda of events, summaries of the main issues to be discussed, and a survey seeking public comment on the role of the G8 and governance.

This article in the Washington Post explains that the G8 summit venue was moved from the luxury Italian resort of La Maddalena, Italy, to draw attention to reconstruction efforts in L'Aquila, which was hit by a major earthquake in April. For more details about the G8, take a look at the comprehensive G8 Information Centre created by the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto.

Looking for additional resources on international resources? Check out our guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

2009-07-07T11:25:00.003-06:00

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the supreme court, homeland security, Iran, and more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by OpenCRS:

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Climate Change and National Parks

2009-07-02T12:05:00.003-06:00

I love national parks and lucky me I live in a state with four national parks and a whole bunch of other cool national park sites, trails and monuments (check 'em out here). Now just last month I went up to Glacier National Park in Montana and got to thinking about climate change and how it will effect these parks. Glacier National Park estimates that by 2030 they will no longer have any glaciers in the park ("Glaciers/Glacier Features"). (The picture to the left is of Grinnel Glacier covered with a little bit of snow.)

Paul Ollig, who blogs on science at Glacier National Park, just posted on a new program from NASA and the National Park Service ("NPS") on climate change and how it will effect national parks. The first episode is on Glacier National Park and the second is on Everglades National Park. To learn more about this program, check out the Earth to Sky web site which is a collaboration of NPS and NASA.

If you want more information on climate change, check out the library's guide.

Construction Spending, Employment and Other Indicators

2009-07-01T09:33:00.004-06:00

It has been a while since we did one of those economic indicator posts and today's various releases seemed like a good time to talk about numbers.

First, numbers from the government. Today brings us construction spending for May 2009, which was down .9 percent from April, which according to the New York Times is "nearly double the 0.5 percent drop that economists expected" (Sharp Drop in Construction Spending in May). Yesterday we got the new metropolitan employment and unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those numbers showed "unemployment rates were higher in May than a year earlier in all 372 metropolitan areas" (from the press release).

The major news organizations have also been talking about a report from the firm Automatic Data Processing that show private employment decreasing 473,000 over June (a later number then the BLS numbers mentioned above).

Want to read a discussion of these various releases and what they mean? Check out the Wall Street Journal's "Private Sector Sheds 473,000 Jobs."

Still not enough? Check out the various library guides on business and economic topics.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

2009-06-30T17:52:00.002-06:00

Wolves Back onto the Endangered Species List in the Great Lakes Region

2009-06-30T08:52:00.003-06:00

Since February 2007 the Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program has had an on-again/off again policy with respect to delisting gray wolves in the Great Lakes region. Pending receipt and analysis of public comments, the gray wolves in that region are back on the list. For additional information about the program, consult our Endangered Species page.

GAO Releases This Week

2009-06-30T08:19:00.003-06:00

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as aviation safety, nuclear smuggling, the Internal Revenue Service, and energy markets. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Army Corps of Engineers: Recent Changes Have Reduced the Use of Continuing Contracts, but Management Processes Need to Be Improved. GAO-09-552, June 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-552
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09552high.pdf
Aviation Safety: Better Data and Targeted FAA Efforts Needed to Identify and Address Safety Issues of Small Air Cargo Carriers. GAO-09-614, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-614
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09614high.pdf
Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Improved Testing of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal Monitors, but Preliminary Results Show Limits of the New Technology. GAO-09-655, May 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-655
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09655high.pdf
Contract Management: Minimal Compliance with New Safeguards for Time-and-Materials Contracts for Commercial Services and Safeguards Have Not Been Applied to GSA Schedules Program. GAO-09-579, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-579
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09579high.pdf
Defense Acquisitions: Assessments Needed to Address V-22 Aircraft Operational and Cost Concerns to Define Future Investments. GAO-09-482, May 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-482
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09482high.pdf
Energy Markets: Estimates of the Effects of Mergers and Market Concentration on Wholesale Gasoline Prices. GAO-09-659, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-659
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09659high.pdf
Human Capital: Actions Needed to Better Track and Provide Timely and Accurate Compensation and Medical Benefits to Deployed Federal Civilians. GAO-09-562, June 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-562
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09562high.pdf
Internal Revenue Service: Status of GAO Financial Audit and Related Financial Management Report Recommendations. GAO-09-514, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-514
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09514high.pdf
International Aviation: Federal Efforts Help Address Safety Challenges in Africa, but Could Benefit from Reassessment and Better Coordination. GAO-09-498, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-498
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09498high.pdf
Job Corps: Better Targeted Career Training and Improved Preenrollment Information Could Enhance Female Residential Student Recruitment and Retention. GAO-09-470, June 2.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-470
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09470high.pdf
Medicaid: Source of Screening Affects Women's Eligibility for Coverage of Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment in Some States. GAO-09-384, May 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-384
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09384high.pdf

Presentations By The Acting Comptroller General

"Ensuring Accountability in a Time of Financial and Fiscal Stress," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Association of Government Accountants' professional development conference, in New Orleans, Louisiana. GAO-09-847CG, June 23, 2009.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09847cg.pdf
"Key Challenges Facing Government Managers," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Interagency Resources Management Conference, in Cambridge, Maryland. GAO-09-609CG, April 21, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09609cg.pdf
"The Recovery Act and TARP: GAO's Oversight Role," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the National State Auditors Association annual conference, in Savannah, Georgia. GAO-09-846CG, June 17, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d09846cg.pdf

Correspondence

Coast Guard: Observations on the Genesis and Progress of the Service's Modernization Program. GAO-09-530R, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-530R
Defense Logistics: Information on the Test and Evaluation and Assignment and Cancellation of National Stock Numbers as It Relates to MILITEC-1. GAO-09-735R, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-735R
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Critical Infrastructure Protection Cost-Benefit Report. GAO-09-654R, June 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-654R
Federal Tort Claims Act: Information Related to Implications of Extending Coverage to Volunteers at HRSA-Funded Health Centers. GAO-09-693R, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-693R
Firearm and Explosives Background Checks Involving Terrorist Watch List Records. GAO-09-125R, May 21.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-125R
Management Report: Improvements Are Needed to Enhance IRS's Internal Controls and Operating Effectiveness. GAO-09-513R, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-513R
Military Personnel: Reserve Component Servicemembers on Average Earn More Income while Activated. GAO-09-688R, June 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-688R

Testimonies

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Lessons Learned from DHS Testing of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal Monitors, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-804T, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-804T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09804thigh.pdf
Corporate Crime: Preliminary Observations on DOJ's Use and Oversight of Deferred Prosecution and Non-Prosecution Agreements, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-09-636T, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-636T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09636thigh.pdf
Cybersecurity: Continued Federal Efforts Are Needed to Protect Critical Systems and Information, by Gregory Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-835T, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-835T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09835thigh.pdf
High Speed Passenger Rail: Effectively Using Recovery Act Funds for High Speed Rail Projects, by Susan A. Fleming, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-09-786T, June 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-786T
Highway Trust Fund: Options for Improving Sustainability and Mechanisms to Manage Solvency, by Phillip R. Herr, director, physical infrastructure issues, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight and the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-09-845T, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-845T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09845thigh.pdf
Human Capital: Continued Monitoring of Internal Safeguards and an Action Plan to Address Employee Concerns Could Improve Implementation of the National Security Personnel System, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the National Security Personnel System Task Group, Defense Business Board. GAO-09-840, June 25.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-840
Prescription Drugs: Overview of Approaches to Control Prescription Drug Spending in Federal Programs, by John E. Dicken, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-819T, June 24.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-819T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09819thigh.pdf
V-22 Osprey Aircraft: Assessments Needed to Address Operational and Cost Concerns to Define Future Investments, by Michael J.Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-692T, June 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-692T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09692thigh.pdf

Reposted Product

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Better Incentives, Workforce Planning, and Performance Reporting Could Improve Program. GAO-09-34, January 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-34
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0934high.pdf

Stimulus Funds Could Narrow Colorado' s Digital Divide

2009-06-26T14:27:00.003-06:00

Colorado officials hope to get federal stimulus dollars to build broadband infrastructure in rural pockets of the state, the Denver Post stated in a recent article. Colorado's Office of Information Technology (OIT) projects that the state could get $120 million of the $7.2 billion that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allots for building broadband lines across America.

Developing statewide broadband capability is one of the five strategic objectives listed in Colorado's Information Technology Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. On this state web page, you can see a breakdown of ARRA funding for broadband and read about how the Colorado Governor's Office and OIT intend to apply for those funds. One plan is to create a GIS-based map of broadband availability in the state.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: A Colorado Status Report (June 19, 2009) describes how federal stimulus funds have been and will be used in Colorado. For additional resources, see our guides to the economic stimulus and telecommunications.

CRS Reports on Sotomayor and Related Topics

2009-06-25T16:55:00.004-06:00

Every Tuesday we list the latest Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports that have been discovered on the web, but now and then we like to draw your attention to specific CRS reports as they relate to hot topics.

CRS recently produced a report on the current Supreme Court nominee--Judge Sonia Sotomayor: Analysis of Selected Opinions. The 59-page report analyzes opinions written by Sotomayor during her tenure on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The report's summary states that one of Sotomayor's most consistent tendencies has been to uphold the doctrine of stare decisis, which is the sustaining of past judicial precedents. The summary also mentions Sotomayor's "careful application of particular facts at issue in a case and a dislike for situations in which the court might be seen as overstep[p]ing its judicial role."

Closely related to Sotomayor herself is the topic of Supreme Court nominations, which is why I'd like to point out another relevant CRS report: Supreme Court Nominations: Senate Floor Procedure and Practice, 1789-2009. The report mentions that of 158 nominations for Supreme Court submitted to the Senate between 1789 and 2006, 122 were confirmed. So Sotomayor appears to have a 77 percent chance of taking a seat on the Supreme Court bench.

For additional resources on Sotomayor and the Supreme Court, see our May 27 blog post or take a look at our guide to the federal court system.

Newly Released Nixon Docs Shed Light on History

2009-06-24T13:43:00.003-06:00

Five days before U.S. and South Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia on April 29, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon received support from the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. An article in the Washington Post reports that this is one of many new revelations disclosed in documents released by the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum. The materials are being made available to researchers at the Nixon Presidential Library in California and the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

Yesterday the Nixon Presidential Library opened about 154 hours of tape recordings from the Nixon White House recorded in January and February 1973. These recently declassified materials cover such topics as the peace settlement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the return of American POWs, Nixon’s second inauguration, the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, energy policy, the reorganization of the executive branch, and the first Watergate trial. You can find audio files and tape subject logs here.

Thirteen presidential libraries are overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). You can learn more about the presidential libraries at this NARA website. For additional online sources on Richard Nixon, check out audio files of the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy presidential debates from CPD or listen to Nixon Watergate recordings on History and Politics Out Loud.

Want more resources on U.S. presidents? Take a look at our guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

2009-06-23T10:32:00.002-06:00

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on Canada, military issues, carbon emissions, and much more. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News and OpenCRS:

Government Proposes New Financial Regulations

2009-06-22T14:07:00.003-06:00

The Obama administration recently unleashed a proposal to provide stronger regulation of the financial industry. This proposal was introduced one week ago in a Washington Post op-ed piece by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers. The proposal is also discussed in this White House press release.

The plan would require new standards for, and supervision of, U.S. financial institutions. These changes would include granting new supervisory powers to the Federal Reserve, increasing regulation of securities markets, and creating a new Consumer Financial Protections Agency. The full Treasury Department report, Financial Regulatory Reform: A New Foundation, describes all details of the new proposal. You can also find a more condensed version of the proposal in the Executive Summary.

Other online documents about the regulatory proposal include the following fact sheets:

For more resources, see our guides to the economic crisis and banking.

GAO Releases This Week

2009-06-21T08:09:00.003-06:00

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as fisheries management, firearms trafficking, influenza pandemic, and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Defense Exports: Foreign Military Sales Program Needs Better Controls for Exported Items and Information for Oversight. GAO-09-454, May 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-454
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09454high.pdf
Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges. GAO-09-709, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-709
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09709high.pdf
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike Disaster Assistance: FEMA Strengthened Its Fraud Prevention Controls, but Customer Service Needs Improvement. GAO-09-671, June 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-671
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09671high.pdf
Influenza Pandemic: Increased Agency Accountability Could Help Protect Federal Employees Serving the Public in the Event of a Pandemic. GAO-09-404, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-404
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09404high.pdf
Military Training: DOD Needs a Strategic Plan and Better Inventory and Requirements Data to Guide Development of Language Skills and Regional Proficiency. GAO-09-568, June 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-568
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09568high.pdf
NASA: Commercial Partners Are Making Progress, but Face Aggressive Schedules to Demonstrate Critical Space Station Cargo Transport Capabilities. GAO-09-618, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-618
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09618high.pdf
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs: Improved Oversight and Controls Would Better Ensure Program Quality. GAO-09-395, May 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-395
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09395high.pdf
Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites: With Costs Increasing and Data Continuity at Risk, Improvements Needed in Tri-agency Decision Making. GAO-09-564, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-564
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09564high.pdf
Tax Gap: Requiring Information Reporting for Charitable Cash Contributions May Not Be an Effective Way to Improve Compliance. GAO-09-555, May 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-555
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09555high.pdf
Technology Transfer: Clearer Priorities and Greater Use of Innovative Approaches Could Increase the Effectiveness of Technology Transfer at Department of Energy Laboratories. GAO-09-548, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-548
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09548high.pdf
Troubled Asset Relief Program: June 2009 Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues. GAO-09-658, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-658
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09658high.pdf

Related/Special Product

Troubled Asset Relief Program: Capital Purchase Program Transactions for October 28, 2008, through May 29, 2009, and Information on Financial Agency Agreements, Contracts, Blanket Purchase Agreements, and Interagency Agreements Awarded as of June 1, 2009 (an e-supplement to GAO-09-658). GAO-09-707SP, June 17
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-707SP

Correspondence

American Battle Monuments Commission: Management Action Needed to Improve Internal Control Procedures. GAO-09-714R, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-714R
CBP Could Improve Its Estimation of Funding Needed for New Border Patrol Agents. GAO-09-542R, June 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-542R
Fisheries Management: Alleged Misconduct of Members and Staff of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. GAO-09-508R, May 20.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-508R
Military Pay: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service--Indianapolis Could Improve Control Activities over Its Processing of Active Duty Army Military Personnel Federal Payroll Taxes. GAO-09-557R, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-557R
U.S. and Canadian Governments Have Established Mechanisms to Monitor Compliance with the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement but Face Operational Challenges. GAO-09-764R, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-764R
Veterans Affairs: Implementation of Temporary Residence Adaptation Grants. GAO-09-637R, June 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-637R

Testimonies

Broadcasting to Cuba: Observations Regarding TV Marti's Strategy and Operations, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-09-758T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-758T
Defense Acquisitions: Issues to Be Considered for Army's Modernization of Combat Systems, by Paul L. Francis, managing director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Airland, Senate Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-793T, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-793T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09793thigh.pdf
Federal Bankruptcy Judges: Measuring Judges' Case-Related Workload, by William Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-09-808T, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-808T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09808thigh.pdf
Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-09-781T, June 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-781T
Identity Theft: Governments Have Acted to Protect Personally Identifiable Information, but Vulnerabilities Remain, by Dan Bertoni, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-759T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-759T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09759thigh.pdf
Influenza Pandemic: Greater Agency Accountability Needed to Protect Federal Workers in the Event of a Pandemic, by Bernice Steinhardt, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-783T, June 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-783T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09783thigh.pdf
International Trade: Observations on U.S. Government Efforts to Address Textile Transshipment, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, House Committee on Small Business. GAO-09-813T, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-813T
Medical Devices: Shortcomings in FDA's Premarket Review, Postmarket Surveillance, and Inspections of Device Manufacturing Establishments, by Marcia Crosse, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-09-370T, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-370T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09370thigh.pdf
New Markets Tax Credit: Minority Entities Are Less Successful in Obtaining Awards than Non-Minority Entities, by Michael Brostek, director, strategic issues, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, House Committee on Financial Services; and the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-09-795T, June 18.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-795T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09795thigh.pdf
Polar-Orbiting Satellites: With Costs Increasing and Data Continuity at Risk, Improvements Needed in Tri-agency Decision Making, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-772T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-772T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09772thigh.pdf
Telecommunications: Preliminary Observations about Consumer Satisfaction and Problems with Wireless Phone Service and FCC's Efforts to Assist Consumers with Complaints, by Mark Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-09-800T, June 17.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-800T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09800thigh.pdf

EPA Announces Public Health Emergency at Montana Site

2009-06-18T13:37:00.003-06:00

Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it was declaring a public health emergency at the Libby asbestos site in Montana, where cases of asbestos-related disease have been affecting the residents in the towns of Libby and Troy for decades. This is the first time that the EPA has declared a public health emergency under 1980's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (popularly known as CERCLA or Superfund).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be providing a short-term grant to provide medical care to residents of Libby and Troy. You can read a local account of this news in Libby's Western News.

You can also find the EPA's laws and regulation on asbestos at its website. For additional government resources, see our guide to the environment.

Government Datasets Available on Data.gov

2009-06-17T16:34:00.003-06:00

The U.S. government recently unveiled its latest source of government-generated data at Data.gov. It was developed by the Federal CIO Council, and the website's stated purpose is "to increase public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government."

Data.gov contains two catalogs: one for raw datasets and one for tools that allow you to manipulate the data. On the advanced search page, you can search for information by category (topic), agency, keyword, or file type (XML, CSV, KML, etc.). Search results are separated into two sections: one for raw datasets and one for tools. Your search results page will feature titles on the left, which link to helpful metadata pages (with thorough descriptions of the datasets or tools). On the right side of your results page you can find links to the actual datasets or tools.

Data.gov does not index a comprehensive collection of data just yet--At press time it featured a total of 261 raw datasets and 30 tools from 31 government agencies. The database's keyword search capabilities are quite limited--you can't use Boolean operators or search for phrases. We recommend that you just search by category, agency, or format until the keyword search functionality becomes more sophisticated.

Also note that you can't change the order in which your search results are sorted; they're arranged in alphabetical order, and you'll have to click the "View All" icon on the bottom-right of your results to expand your list.

Can't find the data you want? The metadata pages in the data.gov catalog seem particularly helpful, because they provide hyperlinks to the source agency for the data--so you know where to go for more information. Another nice feature of data.gov is its Datasets Rating function, which allows any user to rate the data (see an example here).

Enjoy exploring Data.gov. Additional government sources for statistics can be found in our guide.

Climate Change Report

2009-06-16T15:40:00.004-06:00

The U.S. Global Change Research Program released a new report today on climate change and its effect, with a time line, in the United States. “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” has sections devoted to the effect on each region. Colorado is divided in two, the Southwest and Great Plains, but the effect for both areas is an increase in temperature and for the Southwest a possible decrease in precipitation. This report's release today has been highlighted by the White House, with blog postings and live streams of the release (although the link wasn't working when I checked).

Why all the discussion? According to the Washington Post's article "Report: Climate Change Already Affecting U.S.": "What's different this time is the report's scope -- at 196 pages, the report attempts to present the fullest picture yet of the threats to the United States -- and its timing. It comes out as Congress is considering a mammoth bill that would impose the first national cap on emissions, and then seek to reduce them sharply over the next 41 years."

H.R. 2454, "To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy" is the huge (495 sections) bill on energy issues, including a cap and trade provision for emissions. If you are interested in reading, commenting, etc. on this bill you might want to check out the OpenCongress web site. This nonprofit groups provides a forum for discussion of congressional legislation.

Still want more information? Check out the library's guides to climate change and legislation.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

2009-06-16T13:58:00.002-06:00

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on arms sales to Pakistan, medical marijuana, GIS, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report you can request it from your senator or representative. This list is compiled from CRS reports discovered by Secrecy News:

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

I lost my TV signal

2009-06-15T14:21:00.002-06:00

I am sure many of you have cable or satellite or some other subscription TV service, but I still live in the land of over-the-air TV signals. I had purchased my digital converter box and scanned my channels and thought I was ready for the end of analog signal on Friday night, but I lost access to PBS. After spending time moving the antenna around, I decided it was time to do some research.

First, loss of signal due to switch from analog to digital. There are maps that show you coverage by area and network. For example, check out Denver, which shows on page 23 and 24 that I am stuck in "coverage lost and no other service by same network" when it comes to PBS. Interestingly, it appears there is less then 2% loss for my PBS station, since it is not on the Signal Loss Report.

Second, fixing the problem. There is a interactive guide that can walk you through finding your signal. If you are lucky it will tell you how to solve the problem. One possible solution is to check out the site antennaweb.org, which can tell you which way to orient your antenna for maximum reception.

Still lost, confused, frustrated? Well, the FCC is ready to take your calls at 1-888-CALL-FCC.

Want to do some research on some statistics related to this change? Check out the DTV statistics page, which had some interesting numbers. Approximately 11% of the US gets their TV over the air, but in Colorado about 13% do not subscribe to a TV subscription service.

And just in case you don't have enough to think about, for further information on telecommunications, check out the library's guide.

USPS Could Cut Services

2009-06-15T12:26:00.004-06:00

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) may get rid of Saturday mail delivery and close more post offices as a way to deal with fiscal losses caused by decreased mail volume. The Wall Street Journal reports that increased tendencies to use the Internet for correspondence and bill payment have reduced the amount of mail handled by the USPS, and the recession has had an additional negative impact on the agency: the USPS lost nearly $2 million for the second quarter ending March 31. Also see the USPS Annual Report 2008.

Postmaster General John Potter told the Journal that although the USPS has eliminated nearly 200,000 full-time positions since 2000, it still needs to cut expenses as well as "tens of thousands" more jobs.

If mail delivery were reduced from 6 to 5 days per week, the change would have to be approved by Congress and then signed off by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The PRC is an independent agency that has been regulating the USPS since 1970.

How are other communications formats faring in comparison with the postal service? Check out our guide to Telecommunications.

GAO Releases This Week

2009-06-14T17:40:00.002-06:00

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as real estate tax deductions, public housing, and voters with disabilities. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

Army Working Capital Fund: Actions Needed to Improve Budgeting for Carryover at Army Ordnance Activities. GAO-09-415, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-415
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09415high.pdf
Aviation and Climate Change: Aircraft Emissions Expected to Grow, but Technological and Operational Improvements and Government Policies Can Help Control Emissions. GAO-09-554, June 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-554
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09554high.pdf
Biomonitoring: EPA Needs to Coordinate Its Research Strategy and Clarify Its Authority to Obtain Biomonitoring Data. GAO-09-353, April 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-353
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09353high.pdf
Coast Guard: Administrative Law Judge Program Contains Elements Designed to Foster Judges' Independence and Mariner Protections Assessed Are Being Followed. GAO-09-489, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-489
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09489high.pdf
Defense Infrastructure: DOD Needs to Improve Oversight of Relocatable Facilities and Develop a Strategy for Managing Their Use across the Military Services. GAO-09-585, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-585
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09585high.pdf
Federal Energy and Fleet Management: Plug-in Vehicles Offer Potential Benefits, but High Costs and Limited Information Could Hinder Integration into the Federal Fleet. GAO-09-493, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-493
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09493high.pdf
Federal Land Management: BLM and the Forest Service Have Improved Oversight of the Land Exchange Process, but Additional Actions Are Needed. GAO-09-611, June 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-611
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09611high.pdf
Nuclear and Worker Safety: Limited Information Exists on Costs and Reasons for Work Stoppages at DOE's Hanford Site. GAO-09-451, May 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-451
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09451high.pdf
Public Housing: HUD's Oversight of Housing Agencies Should Focus More on Inappropriate Use of Program Funds. GAO-09-33, June 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-33
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0933high.pdf
Real Estate Tax Deduction: Taxpayers Face Challenges in Determining What Qualifies; Better Information Could Improve Compliance. GAO-09-521, May 13.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-521
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09521high.pdf
Telecommunications: Broadband Deployment Plan Should Include Performance Goals and Measures to Guide Federal Investment. GAO-09-494, May 12.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-494
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09494high.pdf
Voters with Disabilities: More Polling Places Had No Potential Impediments Than in 2000, but Challenges Remain. GAO-09-685, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-685
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09685high.pdf

Testimonies

Environmental Contamination: Lessons Learned from the Cleanup of Formerly Used Defense and Military Munitions Sites, by Anu Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-779T, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-779T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09779thigh.pdf
EPA Chemical Assessments: Process Reforms Offer the Potential to Address Key Problems, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-774T, June 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-774T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09774thigh.pdf
Scientific Integrity: EPA's Efforts to Enhance the Credibility and Transparency of Its Scientific Processes, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and its Subcommittee on Oversight. GAO-09-773T, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-773T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09773thigh.pdf
VA Health Care: Overview of VA's Capital Asset Management, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-09-686T, June 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-686T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09686thigh.pdf
VA Real Property: VA Emphasizes Enhanced-Use Leases to Manage Its Real Property Portfolio, by David Wise, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-09-776T, June 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-776T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09776thigh.pdf

Tobacco Law Passes Both Chambers of Congress

2009-06-12T12:15:00.002-06:00

Exactly one month ago, we blogged on the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of HR 1256, a bill that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. Now this bill has passed the Senate (see the latest version of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act here). According to this article in the New York Times, President Obama has said he would sign the legislation once it reaches his desk.

The legislation puts new limitations on tobacco-product manufacturing, and it allows the FDA to set standards on nicotine content and regulate chemicals in tobacco products. However, it does not give the FDA authority to ban cigarettes or nicotine. In our May blog post we had provided a link to an FDA statement explaining that the agency could not regulate tobacco. This page no longer exists--perhaps it will be replaced by far more assertive and powerful language. Stay tuned . . .

For further resources, see our guide to health.

Government Resources on Health Reform

2009-06-11T10:02:00.002-06:00

Lately the news media are issuing numerous reports on government healthcare reform (such as this article in the Washington Post). So it seems appropriate to explore government web pages and documents on this topic.

President Obama issued an executive order in April that created the White House Office of Health Reform. There is also a government website devoted--HealthReform.gov--devoted to this topic. On this website you can find information about the White House Forums on Health Reform, which include links to video clips, slide shows, blogs, and, from the first forum on March 5, a full report. In addition, the website provides an Online Series on Health Reform and links to government reports such as

To find legislation on health reform, try doing a Title search on "health care reform" in FDsys.

For additional resources, see our guide.