“A new study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) has found that there were more court complaints asking federal judges to force the government to abide by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) during the first term of the Obama Administration than there were in the last term of President Bush. While the administration-to-administration increase — documented in court records for the entire FY 2005 to FY 2012 period — was relatively small at 6 percent, a comparison of the FOIA filings in the last two years of Mr. Bush’s second term and the last two years of Mr. Obama’s first term showed a far more pronounced jump of 28 percent — from 562 to 720. For more detailed information about the growing number of FOIA suits in the last two years, including which federal departments had the worst and best records, view the latest report from the FOIA Project.”
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Daily Archives: December 20, 2012
New GAO Reports- Consumer Product Safety Commission, Employment
Consumer Product Safety Commission – Agency Faces Challenges in Responding to New Product Risks, GAO-13-150, Dec 20, 2012 Employment – Information on Former High-Ranking Coast Guard Officials’ Employment with Major Contractors, GAO-13-153R, Dec 20, 2012 Continue Reading
Preliminary Info on 2012 U.S. Billion-Dollar Extreme Weather/Climate Events
“Today, NOAA released preliminary information on extreme weather and climate events in the U.S. for 2012 that are known to have reached the $1 billion threshold in losses. As of December 20, NOAA estimates that the nation experienced 11 such events, to include seven severe weather/tornado events, two tropical storm/hurricane events, and the yearlong drought… Continue Reading
Pew – Reading Habits in Different Communities
Reading Habits in Different Communities, by Carolyn Miller, Kristen Purcell and Lee Rainie. December 20, 2012 “Reading is foundational to learning and the information acquisition upon which people make decisions. For centuries, the capacity to read has been a benchmark of literacy and involvement in community life. In the 21st Century, across all types of… Continue Reading
Party Leaders in the United States Congress, 1789-2012
Party Leaders in the United States Congress, 1789-2012. Valerie Heitshusen, Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process. December 18, 2012 “This report briefly describes current responsibilities and selection mechanisms for 15 House and Senate party leadership posts and provides tables with historical data, including service dates, party affiliation, and other information for each. Tables have… Continue Reading
Pay Attention to Your Credit Report
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – To get and keep a good credit score, pay attention to your credit report Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape
The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape, December 18, 2012 “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent federal agency with its five members appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate. It was established by the Communications Act of 1934 (1934 Act) and is charged… Continue Reading
CDC – New HIV Infections in the United States
CDC Fact Sheet: “The latest CDC estimates of new HIV infections (HIV incidence) in the United States indicate that HIV remains a serious health problem, with an estimated 47,500 people becoming newly infected with the virus in the United States in 20101. The data are included in a new CDC report, Estimated HIV incidence among… Continue Reading
Chemical Weapons: A Summary Report of Characteristics and Effects
Chemical Weapons: A Summary Report of Characteristics and Effects, Dana A. Shea – Specialist in Science and Technology Policy. December 13, 2012 “Civilian protection from and detection of chemical agents is an area of federal concern. Whether terrorist groups are capable of using chemical agents as weapons of mass destruction is unclear. Some experts have… Continue Reading
Offshoring (or Offshore Outsourcing) and Job Loss Among U.S. Workers
Offshoring (or Offshore Outsourcing) and Job Loss Among U.S. Workers, Linda Levine, Specialist in Labor Economics. December 17, 2012 “Offshoring, also known as offshore outsourcing, is the term that came into use more than a decade ago to describe a practice among companies located in the United States of contracting with businesses beyond U.S. borders… Continue Reading
Indicators of integration of immigrants and their children
Settling in: OECD Indicators of Immigrant Integration. December 3, 2012. Paris “OECD countries have made much progress over the past decade in helping immigrants integrate in society. But much remains to be done, notably in improving how well immigrant children do at school and in finding work, and in immigrant womens access to employment, according… Continue Reading
