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Monthly Archives: July 2011

Comparison of Medicare Provisions in Deficit and Debt Reduction Proposals

Kaiser Family Foundation: “Many of the debt-reduction plans being considered by Congress and the Administration include proposals that would achieve substantial savings from the Medicare program over time. This updated side-by-side summary compares the key Medicare provisions found in five major debt-reduction plans put forward by the White House, Congress and independent, bipartisan commissions. The… Continue Reading

Pew: GOP Makes Big Gains among White Voters Especially among the Young and Poor

Pew Research Center: GOP Makes Big Gains among White Voters Especially among the Young and Poor, July 22, 2011 “As the country enters into the 2012 presidential election cycle, the electorate’s partisan affiliations have shifted significantly since Obama won office nearly three years ago. In particular, the Democrats hold a much narrower edge than they… Continue Reading

European Commission Proposals to strengthen Europe's banking sector

Revision of the Capital Requirements Directives (CRD IV): On 20 July 2011, the Commission adopted a legislative package to strengthen the regulation of the banking sector. The proposal replaces the current Capital Requirements Directives (2006/48 and 2006/49) with a Directive and a Regulation and constitutes another major step towards creating a sounder and safer financial… Continue Reading

Statement by the Heads of State or Government of the euro area and EU institutions

Council of the European Union, July 21, 2011: Euro area leaders agree on new support measures for Greece amounting to €109bn. The private sector will make an estimated net contribution of €37bn. “We agree to support a new programme for Greece and, together with the IMF and the voluntary contribution of the private sector, to… Continue Reading

FTC Proposes 'Lighting Facts' Labels for Additional Types of Light Bulbs to Help Consumers

“The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on proposed amendments to the Appliance Labeling Rule that would require a “Lighting Facts” label on additional types of light bulbs to help consumers select the most efficient bulbs to meet their lighting needs, and a specific test procedure for light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Under direction from… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports: Emergency Preparedness, Information Sharing Environment, Medicare Part D

Emergency Preparedness – Agencies Need Coordinated Guidance on Incorporating Telework into Emergency and Continuity Planning, GAO-11-628, July 22, 2011 Information Sharing Environment – Better Road Map Needed to Guide Implementation and Investments, GAO-11-455, July 22, 2011 Medicare Part D, Changes in Utilization Similar for Randomly Reassigned and Other Low-Income Subsidy Beneficiaries, GAO-11-546R, July 22, 2011 Continue Reading

Federal Reserve: Credit and Liquidity Programs and the Balance Sheet

Federal Reserve SystemMonthly Report on Credit and Liquidity Programs and the Balance Sheet, July 2011: “The Overview section of this report highlights developments in the operations of the Federal Reserve’s credit and liquidity programs and facilities since last month’s report, and presents data describing changes in the assets, liabilities, and total capital of the Federal… Continue Reading

Study on the Resolution of Financial Companies under the Bankruptcy Code

Study on the Resolution of Financial Companies under the Bankruptcy Code, July 2011 “Under section 216 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board), in consultation with the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (the Administrative Office),… Continue Reading

Reuters investigation: many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year

Mortgage Mess Redux: Robo-signers return: “A Reuters investigation finds that many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year,” by Scot J. Paltrow, July 19, 2011. “Reuters has found that some of the biggest U.S. banks and other “loan servicers” continue to file questionable foreclosure documents with courts… Continue Reading