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Daily Archives: February 25, 2008

Governors Highlight Role of States in Securing a Clean Energy Future

News release: “he National Governors Association 2008 Winter Meeting concluded today with a closing plenary session reinforcing the role of states in advancing a clean energy future for America and highlighting the recent successes of NGA’s Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative (SCEF Initiative)…Building on the SCEF Initiative’s growing momentum, governors unveiled Greening the Capitols, a new public-private partnership between NGA and Wal-Mart that will reduce the energy consumption of state capitol complexes…In addition, NGA officially released a new report from the SCEF Initiative, Greener Fuels, Greener Vehicles: A State Resource Guide. The new report provides an overview of the economic and environmental implications of an oil-dependent transportation sector and looks at state policy tools that can encourage greener transportation.”

Recent CRS Reports: Corporate Mergers, Hate Crime Legislation, FDA Fast Track, Federal Pollution Controls

February 21, 2008 – FDA Fast Track and Priority Review Programs February 20, 2008 – Constitutional Limits on Hate Crime Legislation February 20, 2008 – Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers: Current Issues and Legislation February 20, 2008 – Federal Pollution Control Laws: How Are They Enforced? February 20, 2008 – Privacy and Civil Liberties… Continue Reading

Snowe Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation Aimed at Protecting Nation's Internet Users

News release: “A bi-partisan group of Senators from the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee led by U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D-Florida) and the Committee’s Ranking Member Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), introduced today bi-partisan legislation aimed at ending the deceptive practice known as phishing. The Anti-Phishing Consumer Protection Act of 2008 would prohibit… Continue Reading

DOJ Office of Information Privacy FOIA Posts

Summaries of New Decisions – January 2008, posted 2/25/2008 “..up-to-date summaries of new court decisions..broken down by FOIA Exemption or procedural element and internal citations and quotations have been omitted. OIP provides these case summaries as a public service; due to their nature as summaries, they are not intended to be authoritative or complete statements… Continue Reading

DHS OIG Reviews: FEMA's Use of Proceeds From the Sales of Emergency Housing Unit, Pine Electric Power Association

DA-08-04 – Review of Southern Pine Electric Power Association, FEMA Disaster No. 1604-DR-MS (PDF, 4 pages) OIG-08-23 – Review of FEMA’s Use of Proceeds From the Sales of Emergency Housing Unit (PDF, 22 pages): “Starting in fiscal year 2005, and continuing through early 2007, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials used funds received from the… Continue Reading

Pew Research Center: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Reveals a Fluid and Diverse Pattern of Faith

“An extensive new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life details the religious affiliation of the American public and explores the shifts taking place in the U.S. religious landscape. Based on interviews with more than 35,000 Americans age 18 and older, the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey finds that religious affiliation in the… Continue Reading

Social Security Administration's Income and Resource Verification Process for Individuals Applying for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs

The Social Security Administration’s Income and Resource Verification Process for Individuals Applying for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs, A-06-06-16135, February 19, 2008. “SSA income and resource verifications for individuals applying for help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs were not always effective. Our review of a sample of denied subsidy applications found that… Continue Reading

Have People Delayed Claiming Retirement Benefits?

Have People Delayed Claiming Retirement Benefits? Responses to Changes in Social Security Rules, by Jae Song and Joyce Manchester, Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 67 No. 2, February 2008. “This article examines changes in the age at which people claim Social Security retirement benefits in response to two recent changes in the Social Security rules: the… Continue Reading

FCC Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements

Wireless E911 location accuracy requirements: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements, Federal Register, February 14, 2008, Volume 73, Number 31, Rules and Regulations, Page 8617, 47 CFR Part 20, PS Docket No. 07-114, CC Docket No. 94-102, WC Docket No. 05-196, FCC 07-166, Final rule. [Courthouse News] “Summary: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) amends… Continue Reading

OMB: Competitive Sourcing Requirements in Division D of Public Law 110-161

M-08-11, Competitive Sourcing Requirements in Division D of Public Law 110-161 (February 20, 2008) (8 pages) “This memorandum provides guidance on certain government-wide provisions related to competitive sourcing in sections 739 and 747 of Division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, P.L. 110-161. Specifically, this guidance addresses: (1) health and retirement… Continue Reading