News release: “In recent years, we have seen the rapid growth and the many benefits of electronic books. E-books are transforming our daily lives, and improving how information and content is shared. For the growing number of Americans who want to take advantage of this new technology, the Department of Justice is committed… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: April 2012
Federal Reserve Beige Book, April 11, 2012
Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve Districts, April 2012 “Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts indicated that the economy continued to expand at a modest to moderate pace from mid-February through late March. Activity in the Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco Districts grew at a moderate pace, while… Continue Reading
Pew: What the Public Knows about the Political Parties
What the Public Knows about the Political Parties, April 11, 2012 “Most Americans can correctly identify the relative positions of the Republican and Democratic parties on the major issues of the day. But a review of what Americans know about the political parties shows that the public is better informed about the partisan affiliations of… Continue Reading
Two New CRS Reports on Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic Fracturing and Safe Drinking Water Act Issues, Mary Tieman, Specialist in Environmental Policy; Adam Vann, Legislative Attorney – April 10, 2012: “Its application, along with horizontal drilling, for production of natural gas (methane) from coal beds, tight gas sands, and, more recently, from unconventional shale formations, has resulted in the marked expansion of estimated… Continue Reading
Energy Storage for Power Grids and Electric Transportation: A Technology Assessment Paul W. Parfomak Specialist in Energy and Infrastructure Policy
CRS – Energy Storage for Power Grids and Electric Transportation: A Technology Assessment – Paul W. Parfomak, Specialist in Energy and Infrastructure Policy, March 27, 2012 “This report attempts to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding energy storage technologies for both electric power grid and electric vehicle applications. It is intended to serve as… Continue Reading
State-level retail gasoline taxes vary significantly
EIA: “With the recent rise in gasoline and diesel fuel prices, many consumers have questions about what contributes to the price they pay for these products at the retail pump. While crude oil prices, refining costs, and distribution and marketing expenses account for a significant portion of the final retail price, taxes also explain an… Continue Reading
Pioneering Privacy Bill Awaits Signature by Maryland Governor
Baltimore Sun: “Moving to the forefront of social media privacy law nationwide, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation prohibiting employers in the state from asking current and prospective employees for their user names and passwords to websites such as Facebook and Twitter. If Gov. Martin O’Malley signs the bill his office said it… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: Federal Reserve Banks, School Improvement Grants, Commuter Rail
Federal Reserve Banks Areas for Improvement in Information Systems Controls, GAO-12-615R, Apr 11, 2012 School Improvement Grants – Education Should Take Additional Steps to Enhance Accountability for Schools and Contractors, GAO-12-373, Apr 11, 2012 School Improvement Grants – Survey of State Educational Agencies Regarding Grant Implementation (GAO-12-370SP, April 2012), an E-supplement to GAO-12-373 GAO-12-370SP, Apr… Continue Reading
EIA: Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook
“EIA has lowered the forecast 2012 average U.S. refiner acquisition cost of crude oil by $2 per barrel from last months Outlook to $112 per barrel, still $10 per barrel higher than last years average price. EIA expects the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil to average about $106 per barrel in 2012,… Continue Reading
Report – Evaluation of the Current and Future Los Angeles County Jail Population
Released by ACLU: Evaluation of the Current and Future Los Angeles County Jail Population – Prepared by James Austin, Ph.D., Wendy Naro‐Ware, Roger Ocker, Robert Harris, Robin Allen – April 10, 2012 “This report is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the Los Angles County jail population in terms of its attributes, current and… Continue Reading
TRAC: Few Millionaires Audited by IRS Global High Wealth Group
Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse: “Very timely IRS show that a special government effort claiming to target “global high wealth” individuals — including those with assets or incomes in the tens of millions of dollars — completed audits on only 36 reporting income of $1 million or more in the nearly two and a half years… Continue Reading
World Bank Publications and Research Now Easier to Access, Reuse
News release: “Two years after opening its vast storehouse of data to the public, the World Bank is consolidating more than 2,000 books, articles, reports and research papers in a search-engine friendly Open Knowledge Repository, and allowing the public to distribute, reuse and build upon much of its workincluding commercially. The repository, launched today, is… Continue Reading
