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Daily Archives: November 3, 2010

BLS: Occupations with high geographic concentration, 2009

“Some occupations are more likely than others to have employment concentrated in specific areas. In 2009, 89 percent of political scientists worked in just a few areas—including more than two-thirds in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Occupational concentration often corresponds to population. For example, people who live and work in densely populated areas have a greater need for public transportation. In 2009, nearly all subway and streetcar operators—96 percent—were employed in just 10 metropolitan areas. The natural resources or physical features of a locale can also determine occupational concentration. Several occupations associated with water transportation are concentrated in areas near waterways and coasts, such as Seattle, Virginia Beach, and New Orleans. In 2009, 68.7 percent of marine engineers and naval architects, as well as 66.3 percent of ship engineers, were employed in only 10 metropolitan areas. Other occupations with high geographic concentrations include those related to fashion and entertainment. In 2009, New York and Los Angeles were among the 10 metropolitan areas with high concentrations of employment in apparel- and entertainment-related occupations—fashion designers (78.0 percent), fabric and apparel patternmakers (68.8 percent), and agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes (68.4 percent).”

SEC Proposes New Whistleblower Program Under Dodd-Frank Act

News release: “The Securities and Exchange Commission today voted unanimously to propose a whistleblower program to reward individuals who provide the agency with high-quality tips that lead to successful enforcement actions. The SEC’s proposed rule under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act maps out a simple, straightforward procedure for would-be whistleblowers to… Continue Reading

Federal Open Market Committee Statement Regarding Purchases of Treasury Securities

“On November 3, 2010, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of securities in the System Open Market Account (SOMA) to promote a stronger pace of economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with its mandate. In particular, the FOMC directed the… Continue Reading

Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2011

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) today released the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, providing consumers with information about estimated mileage and fuel costs for model year 2011 vehicles. Choosing the most fuel efficient vehicle in a class will save consumers money and reduce carbon pollution…This Guide provides annual fuel… Continue Reading

BLS: Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment – September 2010

“Unemployment rates were lower in September than a year earlier in 212 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 143 areas, and unchanged in 17 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 10 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment… Continue Reading

New Edition of Federal Trial Judge’s Manual Focuses on Managing Civil Cases

“The second edition of the Civil Litigation Management Manual, which was approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in March 2010, seeks to help judges secure “the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every case.” The manual provides trial judges with a handbook, setting out an array of case-management techniques. They include early… Continue Reading

CRS – Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress, Ronald O’Rourke, Coordinator Specialist in Naval Affairs, October 15, 2010 The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has… Continue Reading

The composition of the unemployed and long-term unemployed in tough labor markets

The composition of the unemployed and long-term unemployed in tough labor markets, by Sylvia Allegretto and Devon Lynch, Monthly Labor Review • October 2010. “The article first examines the overall unemployment rate and the share of unemployment accounted for by long-term unemployment— henceforth, “the LTU share”—over time and in the context of recessions. The movements… Continue Reading

Researchers Highlight How Credit Card Payments Increase Unhealthy Food Purchases: Visceral Regulation of Vices

Via SSRN: How Credit Card Payments Increase Unhealthy Food Purchases: Visceral Regulation of Vices (September 1, 2010). Thomas, Manoj, Desai, Kalpesh Kaushik and Seenivasan, Satheeshkumar, Journal of Consumer Research, Forthcoming. “Some food items that are commonly considered unhealthy also tend to elicit impulsive responses. The pain of paying in cash can curb impulsive urges to… Continue Reading

CRS – Interagency Contracting: An Overview of Federal Procurement and Appropriations Law

Interagency Contracting: An Overview of Federal Procurement and Appropriations Law, October 01, 2010 “This report provides an overview of the federal procurement and appropriations laws governing interagency contracting. “Interagency contracting” is the term used to describe several procurement relationships between government agencies. The first is one of buyer and seller, where agency A directly purchases… Continue Reading