The U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce: Recent, Current, and Projected Employment, Wages, and Unemployment, John F. Sargent Jr., Specialist in Science and Technology Policy, February 19, 2014 “The adequacy of the U.S. science and engineering workforce has been an ongoing concern of Congress for more than 60 years. Scientists and engineers are widely believed to be essential to U.S.… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: March 2014
Who’s Overseeing Whom? The CIA, SSCI, and the Speech or Debate Clause
CRS – Who’s Overseeing Whom? The CIA, SSCI, and the Speech or Debate Clause “In a Tuesday floor speech, Senator Dianne Feinstein accused the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of monitoring a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) computer network that was used by Committee staff while conducting an investigation into CIA interrogation techniques. Many facts remain in dispute, and indeed,… Continue Reading
Federal Reserve releases results of Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR)
“The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced it has approved the capital plans of 25 bank holding companies participating in the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR). The Federal Reserve objected to the plans of the other five participating firms–four based on qualitative concerns and one because it did not meet a minimum post-stress capital requirement. Strong… Continue Reading
Pew – From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers–and beyond
From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers–and beyond. A typology of public library engagement in America. “The digital era has brought profound challenges and opportunities to countless institutions and industries, from universities to newspapers to the music industry, in ways both large and small. Institutions that were previously identified with printed material—and its attendant properties of being… Continue Reading
404 Day: A Day of Action Against Censorship in Libraries
“Join EFF on April 4th for 404 Day, a nation-wide day of action to call attention to the long-standing problem of Internet censorship in public libraries and public schools. In collaboration with the MIT Center for Civic Media and the National Coalition Against Censorship, we are hosting a digital teach-in with some of the top researchers… Continue Reading
FTC Testifies on Data Security Before Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
“In testimony before Congress today, the Federal Trade Commission renewed its call for data security legislation and provided an update on its efforts to protect consumers’ privacy in the face of growing reports of data breaches. Testifying on behalf of the Commission before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Chairwoman Edith Ramirez told lawmakers that… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Critical Infrastructure Protection, Federal Contracting, Int’l Food Aid, Medicare, USDA Litigation
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION: Observations on Key Factors in DHS’s Implementation of Its Partnership Approach, GAO-14-464T: Published: Mar 26, 2014. Publicly Released: Mar 26, 2014. FEDERAL CONTRACTING: Noncompetitive Contracts Based on Urgency Need Additional Oversight, GAO-14-304: Published: Mar 26, 2014. Publicly Released: Mar 26, 2014. F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER: Slower Than Expected Progress in Software Testing May Limit Initial Warfighting Capabilities, GAO-14-468T: Published: Mar… Continue Reading
Pew – State of the News Media 2014
Amy Mitchell, State of the News Media 2014 – “In many ways, 2013 and early 2014 brought a level of energy to the news industry not seen for a long time. Even as challenges of the past several years continue and new ones emerge, the activities this year have created a new sense of optimism… Continue Reading
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Clarify Protection for Nation’s Streams and Wetlands
News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) today jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources. The proposed rule will benefit businesses by increasing efficiency in determining coverage of… Continue Reading
From Digitally Disrupted to Digital Disrupter
Accenture Technology Vision 2014 – Every Business Is a Digital Business “Big companies are back in the digital game. Procter & Gamble, Tesco, Disney, GE—these are just a few of the global 2,000 that are now in a race to become digital. Those that get there first will be able to disrupt their existing markets and penetrate new ones. They… Continue Reading
Economic Policy Review – Federal Reserve Bank of New York
A Special Issue on Large and Complex Banks Volume 20, Number 2, March 2014 Do Big Banks Have Lower Operating Costs? Anna Kovner, James Vickery, and Lily Zhou Evidence from the Bond Market on Banks’ “Too-Big-to-Fail” Subsidy – João Santos Do “Too-Big-to-Fail” Banks Take on More Risk? – Gara Afonso, João Santos, and James Traina Components of U.S. Financial Sector… Continue Reading
CFPB Data Point: Payday Lending
“In this Data Point we present the results of several analyses of consumers’ use of payday loans. The focus of the analyses is loan sequences, the series of loans borrowers often take out following a new loan. Key findings of this report include: Over 80% of payday loans are rolled over or followed by another… Continue Reading
