Information Technology – Departments of Defense and Energy Need to Address Potentially Duplicative Investments, GAO-12-241, Feb 17, 2012 Information Technology Potentially Duplicative Investments Exist at the Departments of Defense and Energy, GAO-12-462T, Feb 17, 2012 Measuring Performance – The Corporation for National and Community Service Faces Challenges Demonstrating Outcomes, GAO-12-310, Feb 17, 2012 Unemployment Insurance… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: February 2012
CFBP proposed rule on debt collectors and credit reporting agencies
News release: “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced a proposed rule to include debt collectors and consumer reporting agencies under its nonbank supervision program. This would mark the first time these important and far-reaching consumer financial market participants are subject to federal supervision.” Continue Reading
FATF steps up the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing
News release: “The Financial Action Task Force, the global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, has revised the International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism & Proliferation after more than two years of efforts by member countries. The Recommendations are used by more than 180 governments to… Continue Reading
Report Recommends a Credible Threat of Military Force to Stop Irans Nuclear Development
“The Bipartisan Policy Centers (BPC) National Security Project released its fourth report on Irans nuclear development urging the United States to immediately adopt a triple-track strategy that simultaneously pursues diplomacy, tough sanctions and credible, visible preparations for military action on the part of the United States or Israel. According to the report, Meeting the Challenge:… Continue Reading
Mortgage Bankers Associations Delinquency Survey
News release: “The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.58 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of 41 basis points from the third quarter of 2011, and a decrease of 67 basis points from… Continue Reading
BusinessUSA Launches – connects businesses to services and information relevant to them
“Today President Obama announced the launch of BusinessUSA, a virtual one-stop-shop that makes it easier for America’s businesses to access the services and information they need to help them grow, hire, and export. Get help starting, growing, and financing a business, or learn more about expanding your market and becoming more globally competitive through exporting.” Continue Reading
FTC Report Raises Privacy Questions About Mobile Applications for Children
News release: “The Federal Trade Commission today issued a staff report showing the results of a survey of mobile apps for children. The survey shows that neither the app stores nor the app developers provide the information parents need to determine what data is being collected from their children, how it is being shared, or… Continue Reading
Understanding and Responding to Persistently High Unemployment
Understanding and Responding to Persistently High Unemployment: “The rate of unemployment in the United States has exceeded 8 percent since February 2009, and CBO projects that it will remain above 8 percent until 2014. Slack demand for goods and services is the primary reason for the persistently high levels of unemployment observed today. When demand… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: National Nuclear Security, Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines, Senate Preservation Fund, Workforce Investment Act
Air Traffic Control Modernization – Management Challenges Associated with Program Costs and Schedules Could Hinder NextGen Implementation, GAO-12-223, February 16, 2012 National Nuclear Security Administration Observations on NNSA’s Management and Oversight of the Nuclear Security Enterprise, GAO-12-473T, February 16, 2012 Energy – Safety Effects of Less Prescriptive Requirements for Low-Stress Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines Are… Continue Reading
Cost Estimate for H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Jobs Creation Act of 2012
“The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have reviewed the conference agreement for H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, as posted on the Web site of the House Committee on Rules on February 16, 2012. The attached table provides CBOs… Continue Reading
Models Used by the Military Services to Develop Budgets for Activities Associated with Operational Readiness
“The Congress directed CBO to review the modeling techniques that the military services use to generate their budget request for activities associated with operational readiness. CBO focused on identifying models used to inform the operating forces portion of the services’ base budgets for operation and maintenance. CBO included only those models used at the services’… Continue Reading
Department of Transportation Proposes 'Distraction' Guidelines for Automakers
Follow up to postings on driving distractions and texting, this news: “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices. The proposed voluntary guidelines would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not… Continue Reading
