Vehicle Safety Inspections: Improved DOT Communication Could Better Inform State Programs, GAO-15-705: Published: Aug 25, 2015. Publicly Released: Aug 25, 2015: “According to officials GAO interviewed from 15 state vehicle safety inspection programs, these programs enhance vehicle safety; however, the benefits and costs of such programs are difficult to quantify. State officials told GAO that inspections help identify vehicles with safety problems and result in repair or removal of unsafe vehicles from the roads. For example, Pennsylvania state data show that in 2014, more than 529,000 vehicles (about 20 percent of vehicles in the state) failed inspection and then underwent repairs to pass. Nationwide, however, estimates derived from data collected by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that vehicle component failure is a factor in about 2 to 7 percent of crashes. Given this relatively small percentage as well as other factors—such as implementation or increased enforcement of state traffic safety laws—that could influence crash rates, it is difficult to determine the effect of inspection programs based on crash data. Studies GAO reviewed and GAO’s analysis of state data examined the effect of inspection programs on crash rates related to vehicle component failure, but showed no clear influence. Finally, many states do not directly track the costs of operating safety inspection programs because costs may be comingled with other inspection programs, such as emissions.”
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Daily Archives: August 25, 2015
Federal Debt and the Statutory Limit, August 2015
“The debt limit—commonly referred to as the debt ceiling—is the maximum amount of debt that the Department of the Treasury can issue to the public and to other federal agencies. That amount is set by law and has been increased over the years in order to finance the government’s operations. In March, the debt ceiling… Continue Reading
An Update to the Budget and Economic Outlook: 2015 to 2025
“According to the Congressional Budget Office’s estimates, this year’s deficit will be noticeably smaller than what the agency projected in March, and fiscal year 2015 will mark the sixth consecutive year in which the deficit has declined as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) since it peaked in 2009. Over the next 10 years,… Continue Reading
Incentive Pay and Gender Compensation Gaps for Top Executives
New York Fed – “Stefania Albanesi, Claudia Olivetti, and Maria Prados, August 2015: “The persistence of a gender gap in wages is shaping the debate over women’s equality in the workplace and underscores the challenge facing policymakers as they consider their potential role in closing it. While the disparity affects females at all income levels,… Continue Reading
NOAA’s New Climate Science Strategy
NOAA: “As ocean conditions continue to change, putting ocean ecosystems and the communities that rely upon them at risk, today, NOAA took a first step in providing regional fisheries managers and stakeholders with information they need to reduce the effects of climate change and build resilience. “NOAA just announced that for the globe the month… Continue Reading
Practicing Law in the 21st Century Requires Affiliation
Via FindLaw: “Highlights What is required by clients is instant access to information and established relationships everywhere on earth. If law firms cannot quickly provide the information, other professions will. The traditional approach to developing a practice is individual networking with other lawyers or members of other professions. Attorneys make as many contacts as possible.… Continue Reading
CRS – Effectiveness of the Community Reinvestment Act
The Effectiveness of the Community Reinvestment Act, Darryl E. Getter, Specialist in Financial Economics, January 7, 2015. “This report informs the congressional debate concerning the CRA’s effectiveness in incentivizing bank lending and investment activity to LMI borrowers. After a discussion of the CRA’s origins, it presents the CRA’s examination process and bank activities that are… Continue Reading
FDIC Publication Focuses on the Critical Role of Corporate Governance
News release: “The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today released the summer 2015 issue of Supervisory Insights. The lead article, “Strategic Planning in an Evolving Earnings Environment,” highlights the critical role of corporate governance and strategic planning in navigating a challenging operating environment. “Although the financial performance of banks is steadily improving, the operating environment… Continue Reading
Demand Progress coalition calls for systematic public access to non-confidential CRS reports
Via Demand Progress – a national grassroots group – August 24, 2015: “Dear Chairman Blunt, Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Schumer, Ranking Member Brady,and Vice Chairman Harper: We write in support of expanded public access to Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports. Longstanding congressional policy allows Members and committees to use their websites to disseminate CRS products… Continue Reading
Report – Defining Financialization
Mike Konczal – Roosevelt Institute: “Following the well-received Disgorge The Cash, this is really the foundational paper that outlines a working definition of financialization, some of the leading concerns, worries, and research topics in each area, and a plan for future research and action. Since this is what we are building from, we’d love feedback.… Continue Reading
