News release: “Former Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) and former Senator Jim Talent (R-MO), chair and vice chair of the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, today released a report card indicating that the U.S. government is not taking the necessary steps to protect the country from the threats… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: January 2010
FAS: Russian Nuclear Forces 2010
Russian Nuclear Forces 2010: “The latest overview of Russias nuclear forces produced by Robert Norris from NRDC and Hans M. Kristensen is now available on the website of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. We estimate that Russia currently (January 2010) deploys approximately 4,600 nuclear weapons, down from roughly 4,800 a year ago. The arsenal… Continue Reading
Conference Board: Productivity Rises in 2009, Despite the Recession
News release: “U.S. productivity weathered the recession well, growing 2.5 percent (in per hour terms) in 2009, The Conference Board reported..This blip in the prevailing downward trend in U.S. productivity was largely explained by dramatically reduced working hours that offset output decline (employment fell by 3.6 percent in 2009; hours worked per worker by 1.5… Continue Reading
DOT Announces Federal Ban on Texting for Commercial Truck Drivers
Follow up to previous postings on dangers of texting while driving, this news release: “U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department… Continue Reading
BLS: Mass Layoffs, December 2009, Annual Totals — 2009
News release: “Employers took 1,726 mass layoff actions in December that resulted in the separation of 153,127 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass… Continue Reading
CRS Report: Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions
Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions. Charles Doyle, Senior Specialist in American Public Law, January 22, 2010 “A handful of terrorists have been prosecuted in federal court for attacks on commercial airlines or their passengers. Most often they have been charged with several crimes. Prosecution for some crimes depends upon where they were… Continue Reading
CBO Releases Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2010-2020, An Analysis of Roadmap for Americas Future Act of 2010
An Analysis of the Roadmap for Americas Future Act of 2010, as Specified by Congressman Ryans Staff, January 27, 2010 “Today CBO released a letter to Congressman Paul Ryan, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, analyzing the Roadmap for Americas Future Act of 2010. This legislation, which Congressman Ryan introduced today, would make comprehensive… Continue Reading
New CRS Report: Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
CRS: Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder, updated January 7, 2010 “Starting in late 2006, commercial migratory beekeepers along the East Coast of the United States began reporting sharp declines in their honey bee colonies. Because of the severity and unusual circumstances of these colony declines, scientists named this phenomenon colony collapse disorder (CCD). Reports indicate… Continue Reading
House Oversight Hearing on The Federal Bailout Of AIG
Follow up to January 25, 2010 posting, Work of Special IG For TARP Draws Increasing Attention, read Mr. Barofky’s testimony today before the House Oversight Committee on The Federal Bailout Of AIG. See also Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner’s Written Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and related postings on financial… Continue Reading
Joint Economic Committee Releases New State-by-State Report
News release: “A new report released today by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) provides a snapshot of the current economic climate in each state, offering policy makers easy access to the major economic indicators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the areas of jobs, unemployment, personal earnings and housing. Understanding the… Continue Reading
OECD – The Financial Crisis: Reform and Exit Strategies
The Financial Crisis: Reform and Exit Strategies: “The financial crisis left major banks crippled by toxic assets and short of capital, while lenders became less willing to finance business and private projects. The immediate and potential impacts on the banking system and the real economy lead governments to intervene massively. These interventions helped to avoid… Continue Reading
National Wildlife Federation Report: Corn Ethanol and Wildlife
Corn Ethanol and Wildlife – How increases in corn plantings are affecting habitat and wildlife in the Prairie Pothole Region, 01-13-2010. Rebecca Brooke, Gregory Fogel, Aviva Glaser, Elizabeth Griffin and Kristen Johnson. “Government incentives have led to skyrocketing growth in the U.S. corn ethanol industry over the past five years. This has contributed to major… Continue Reading
