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Daily Archives: July 15, 2011

EPIC – Federal Appeals Court: TSA Violated Federal Law, Must Take Public Comment on Body Scanners

“As a result of a lawsuit brought by EPIC, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the TSA violated federal law when it installed body scanners in airports for primary screening across the country without first soliciting public comment. The Administrative Procedure Act requires federal agencies to provide notice and opportunity for comment when implementing a rule that affects the rights of the public. Writing for a unanimous court, Judge Ginsburg found there was “no justification for having failed to conduct a notice-and-comment rulemaking,” and said, “few if any regulatory procedures impose directly and significantly upon so many members of the public.” EPIC’s brief alleged that airport body scanners are “invasive, unlawful, and ineffective,” and that the TSA’s deployment of the devices for primary screening violated the U.S. Constitution and several federal statutes. For more information, see EPIC: EPIC v. DHS and EPIC: Whole Body Imaging Technology.”

FTC Will Not Enforce Provisions of MARS Rule Against Real Estate Professionals Helping Consumers Obtain Short Sales

“The Federal Trade Commission today issued a statement announcing that it will forbear from enforcing most provisions of its Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule against real estate brokers and their agents who assist financially distressed consumers in obtaining short sales from their lenders or servicers. As a result of the stay on enforcement, these… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports: Disadvantaged Students; DHS Tech Acquisitions; Abandoned Mines

Disadvantaged Students – School Districts Have Used Title I Funds Primarily to Support Instruction, GAO-11-595, July 15, 2011 Homeland Security – DHS Could Strengthen Acquisitions and Development of New Technologies, GAO-11-829T, July 15, 2011 Abandoned Mines – Information on the Number of Hardrock Mines, Cost of Cleanup, and Value of Financial Assurances – GAO-11-834T, July… Continue Reading

Empire State Manufacturing Survey shows conditions for New York manufacturers deteriorated for second consecutive month

“The July Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that conditions for New York manufacturers deteriorated for a second consecutive month. The general business conditions index remained below zero, at -3.8. The new orders index also remained negative, while the shipments index increased to a level slightly above zero. The indexes for both prices paid and prices… Continue Reading