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Monthly Archives: March 2009

New GAO Reports: Recovery Act and Science Funding, Federal Real Property, Financial Regulators Oversight, High Speed Passenger Rail, TARP

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: GAO’s Role in Helping to Ensure Accountability and Transparency for Science Funding, GAO-09-515T, March 19, 2009 Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting with Veteran Owned-Small Businesses, GAO-09-391R, March 19, 2009 Federal Real Property: Authorities and Actions Regarding Enhanced Use Leases and Sale of Unneeded Real Property, GAO-09-283R, February 17, 2009 Financial… Continue Reading

Health Care Costs: A Primer

Health Care Costs: A Primer – “The Kaiser Family Foundation released an updated primer that examines recent trends in health care costs in the United States and the factors that contribute to their rapid rise. Prepared by Foundation staff, the primer also describes the types and sources of health care spending, the demographic factors associated… Continue Reading

Administration Launches New Consumer Website For Responsible Homeowners Seeking Relief

News release: “The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today launched a new website for consumers seeking information about the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable loan modification and refinancing program. MakingHomeAffordable.gov offers features including interactive self-assessment tools that will empower borrowers to determine if they’re eligible to… Continue Reading

New Attorney General Guidelines on FOIA Released

National Security Archive: “Attorney General Eric Holder today released new guidelines for federal agencies on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that reinforce the presumption of disclosure articulated by President Obama in his day one Memorandum on FOIA, issued January 21, 2009. Attorney General Holder’s memorandum provides practical guidance for implementing the presumption of disclosure,… Continue Reading

White House Backgrounder on California's Economic Situation

News release: “As the President travels to California, the Council of Economic Advisors has compiled some facts that illustrate the impact of the economic crisis on workers and their families in California. Key Facts “California’s unemployment rate was 10.1% in January (most recent data available). This is a 4.2 percentage point increase since December 2007… Continue Reading

Sony eBookstore Provides Access to Half-Million Free Public Domain Books From Google

News release: “Starting today, The eBook Store from Sony will provide access to more than a half-million public domain books from Google optimized for current models of the Reader. At Sony’s eBook store (ebookstore.sony.com), a button on the front page leads to the books from Google, which people can transfer to their PRS-505 or PRS-700… Continue Reading

AIG Employee Contracts Released by House Committee on Financial Services

News release: “During the House Financial Services Subcommittee meeting today, American International Group’s Impact on the Global Economy: Before, During, and After Federal Intervention, Rep. Barney Frank discussed the AIG employee contracts.” 2008 Employee Retention Plan Confirmation and Acknowledgement Schedule to the Master Agreement Related postings on AIG and on the financial system Continue Reading

UK Financial Services Authority publishes wide-ranging review of global banking regulation

News release: “The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has today published the Turner Review of global banking regulation. Lord Turner, chairman of the FSA, was asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review the events that led to the financial crisis and to recommend reforms. The Review identifies three underlying causes of the crisis –… Continue Reading

Department of Labor guidance for employment and training programs under Recovery Act

News release: “The U.S. Department of Labor today issued policy guidance to states and outlying areas for the implementation of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) investments in core employment and training programs. This critical investment of $3,514,500,000 in the nation’s workforce system and network of One-Stop Career Centers is intended to help… Continue Reading

New Jersey Files Suit Against Executives and Directors of Lehman Brothers

News release – New Jersey Files Suit Against Executives and Directors of Lehman Brothers. Eight-count complaint charges company misrepresentations led to state losing millions on stock investments in 2008. “With this suit we intend to hold Lehman executives and directors accountable for the fraud and misrepresentation that caused more than $100 million in losses to… Continue Reading