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Monthly Archives: December 2012

Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence

“We hear stories of gun violence every day. Domestic disputes turning deadly. Street crimes taking the lives of innocent people. Mass shootings wreaking havoc in our public spaces. Suicides and fatal accidents devastating families across the country. The unrelenting toll of America’s gun violence epidemic leaves 100,000 people injured or killed every year in communities… Continue Reading

TRAC – FOIA Lawsuits Increase During Obama Administration

“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… 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

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

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 women’s access to employment, according… Continue Reading