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Daily Archives: July 20, 2010

OECD Consumer Policy Toolkit

New ‘Consumer Policy Toolkit’ targets policy makers: “On 21 July the OECD will be releasing a practical guide to help policy makers who are charged with promoting and protecting the interests of consumers. The Consumer Policy Toolkit provides advice for consumer authorities on how to assess areas where markets may be failing consumers and how best to address the problems consumers may face. The Toolkit presents six clear steps for policy making and describes 12 basic policy tools that are available to consumer authorities when action needs to be taken. The Toolkit is supported by examples drawn from the actual experiences of more than 20 countries.”

New GAO Reports: Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Rural Homelessness, Border Security, Coal Power Plants

Defense Management: DOD Needs Better Information and Guidance to More Effectively Manage and Reduce Operating and Support Costs of Major Weapon Systems, GAO-10-717, July 20, 2010 Defined Benefit Pension Plans: Plans Face Valuation and Other Challenges When Investing in Hedge Funds and Private Equity, GAO-10-915T, July 20, 2010 New Embassy Compounds: State Faces Challenges in… Continue Reading

EPIC Pursues Lawsuit Against Homeland Security, Urges Court to Suspend Body Scanner Program

Follow up to previous postings on government implementation of whole body scanning technology at airports, today, EPIC filed a reply in its case against the Department of Homeland Security, EPIC v. DHS,10-1157. EPIC had previously filed a petition and motion for emergency stay, asking the court to suspend the use of the machines. EPIC argued… Continue Reading

New on LLRX.com – Your Cheat Sheet for Local Rule Motion Practice Part Two: Central District of California

Your Cheat Sheet for Local Rule Motion Practice Part Two: Central District of California, by Wendy Schneider” You know the Federal Rules backwards and forwards, but its compliance with the local rules that really makes a civil litigator look like a pro to colleagues and clients, and leaves the opposition in the dust. In this… Continue Reading

BLS: Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary

Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary, June 2010: “Regional and state unemployment rates were generally lower in June. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate decreases, five states had increases and six states had no change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-four states recorded unemployment rate increases from… Continue Reading

China overtakes the United States to become world’s largest energy consumer

“IEA [International Energy Agency] calculations based on preliminary data show that China has now overtaken the United States to become the world’s largest energy user. China’s rise to the top ranking was faster than expected as it was much less affected by the global financial crisis than the United States. For those who have been… Continue Reading

Testimony: International cooperation and financial regulatory modernization

Governor Daniel K. Tarullo – International cooperation and financial regulatory modernization, Before the Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2010 “When you held a hearing on this topic in the fall, I gave an overview of the Federal Reserve’s role… Continue Reading

New Yorker: Obama’s economic adviser and his battles over the financial-reform

The Volcker Rule – Obama’s economic adviser and his battles over the financial-reform bill, by John Cassidy: “Volcker believes that commercial banks, such as Citigroup and Wells Fargo, are worthy of receiving government assistance—and even, in extremis, taxpayer bailouts—because firms and consumers depend upon them for credit. In return for these enterprises being sheltered, they… Continue Reading

Modernized e-File Will Enhance Processing of Electronically Filed Individual Tax Returns – Security Issues Remain

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration – Modernized e-File Will Enhance Processing of Electronically Filed Individual Tax Returns, but System Development and Security Need Improvement, May 26, 2010, Reference Number: 2010-20-041 “The Modernized e-File Project’s (MeF) goal is to replace the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) current tax return filing technology with a modernized, Internet-based electronic… Continue Reading