United Nations – Improved Reporting and Member States’ Consensus Needed for Food and Agriculture Organization’s Reform Plan, GAO-11-922, September 29, 2011 Warfighter Support – Improved Cost Analysis and Better Oversight Needed over Army Nonstandard Equipment, GAO-11-766, September 29, 2011 Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: September 2011
2011 Investment Company Fact Book
2011 Investment Company Fact Book, 51st Edition. A Review of Trends and Activity in the Investment Company Industry. “U.S.-registered investment companies play a significant role in the U.S. economy and world financial markets. These funds managed over $13 trillion in assets at the end of 2010 for over 91 million U.S. investors. Funds supplied investment… Continue Reading
UK Government Discussion Paper on Executive Pay
UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) – BIS discussion paper: executive pay, URN: 11/1287, 19 Sep 2011. Responses by 25 November 2011. “Seeks views on wide-ranging proposals on how to link executive pay more closely to company performance. Aims to build a stronger understanding of the issues. Published in conjunction with a consultation… Continue Reading
BLS: Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Summary
News release: “Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 262 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 84 areas, and unchanged in 26 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Nine areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 10 areas registered rates of less than 5.0… Continue Reading
Procedural Review of EPAs Greenhouse Gases Endangerment Finding Data Quality Processes
Procedural Review of EPAs Greenhouse Gases Endangerment Finding Data Quality Processes, Report No. 11-P-0702, September 26, 2011 “EPA met statutory requirements for rulemaking and generally followed requirements and guidance related to ensuring the quality of the supporting technical information. Whether EPAs review of its endangerment finding TSD met Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements… Continue Reading
State budgets under stress: Paths to sustainability
State budgets under stress: Paths to sustainability, by Richard H. Mattoon, senior economist and economic advisor. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Fed Letter, October 2011 “State governments have been noticeably absent in contributing to U.S. economic growth since the recession of 200809. Despite some recovery in tax revenues, many states are still reporting budget… Continue Reading
Bankrates 2011 Checking Account Survey
Bankrates 2011 Checking Account Survey: “Free checking is on the way out in 2011, while the banking industry ushered in increases in checking account fees, ATM charges and penalties for account overdrafts. This is the banking landscape revealed by Bankrate’s 2011 Checking Account Survey. Just 45 percent of noninterest checking accounts are now free, down… Continue Reading
Evaluation of FHFAs Oversight of Freddie Macs Repurchase Settlement with Bank of America
Evaluation of the Federal Housing Finance Agencys Oversight of Freddie Macs Repurchase Settlement with Bank of America, September 27, 2011 “In the closing days of 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency), acting in its capacity as the conservator of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac or the Enterprise) and the… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: Defense Acquisition Workforce, Contingency Contracting, Veterans Health Care
Defense Acquisition Workforce – Better Identification, Development, and Oversight Needed for Personnel Involved in Acquiring Services, GAO-11-892, September 28, 2011 Contingency Contracting – Improved Planning and Management Oversight Needed to Address Challenges with Closing Contracts, GAO-11-891, September 28, 2011 Veterans Health Care, Monitoring Is Needed to Determine the Accuracy of Veteran Copayment Charges, GAO-11-795, September… Continue Reading
EPIC: Bankrupt Borders Sells Customer Data to Barnes & Noble
News release: “A bankruptcy court in New York has approved the sale of customer information, including email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, and birth dates, from Borders to Barnes & Noble, following an earlier determination that the transfer violated Border’s privacy policy. The judge has now required that former Borders customers receive an email notification… Continue Reading
ACLU: How Long Is Your Cell Phone Company Hanging On To Your Data?
News release: “What do you think about when choosing a cell phone provider? Their prices? Their coverage area? Whether they have spiffy, high-tech phones? Whether their phones work overseas or in the subway? What about how long they retain information about you and under what circumstances they turn it over to law enforcement? All of… Continue Reading
DHS IG Reports on Challenges for Coast Guard Information Technology Management
Coast Guard Has Taken Steps To Strengthen Information Technology Management, but Challenges Remain, OIG-11-108, September 2011. “…the Coast Guard could improve information technology management in a number of areas. Specifically, Coast Guard systems and infrastructure do not fully meet mission needs. For example, Coast Guard field personnel do not have sufficient network availability, and the… Continue Reading
