(The following is a post by Gayle Osterberg, director of communications for the Library of Congress) “The Library of Congress launched its first website in 1994. Since that time we have digitized and made available millions of items from our collections and added new features to help you take advantage of all that the Library… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: January 2017
GAO – National Park Service reported $11.9 billion in deferred maintenance
National Park Service: Process Exists for Prioritizing Asset Maintenance Decisions, but Evaluation Could Improve Efforts, GAO-17-136: Published: Dec 13, 2016. Publicly Released: Jan 12, 2017. At the end of fiscal year 2015, the National Park Service reported $11.9 billion in deferred maintenance—that is, the estimated costs of asset maintenance or repairs that the agency has… Continue Reading
Consumers Could Benefit from Improvements to Nursing Home Compare Website and Five-Star Quality Rating System
Nursing Homes: Consumers Could Benefit from Improvements to the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five-Star Quality Rating System, GAO-17-61: Published: Nov 18, 2016. Publicly Released: Dec 6, 2016. “Millions of Americans are cared for in nursing homes each year, and that number is expected to increase as baby boomers age. So how do you choose… Continue Reading
Paper – Trump, Brexit, and Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash
Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash. Inglehart, Ronald, and Pippa Norris. “Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash.” HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP16-026, August 2016. “Rising support for populist parties has disrupted the politics of many Western societies. What explains this phenomenon?… Continue Reading
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief
CRS report via FAS – Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief, Jim Zanotti, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs. January 6, 2017. “U.S.- Israel Relations in a Time of Transition – For decades, strong bilateral relations have fueled and reinforced significant U.S.-Israel cooperation in many areas, including regional security. Nonetheless, at various points throughout the… Continue Reading
Inauguration Security: Operations, Appropriations, and Issues for Congress
CRS report via FAS – Inauguration Security: Operations, Appropriations, and Issues for Congress, Shawn Reese, Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy; Jacob R. Straus, Specialist on the Congress; Christina M. Bailey, Information Research Specialist. January 11, 2017. “Every four years, on January 20, the President-elect is sworn in as President of the United… Continue Reading
18F – Transforming U.S. government services in a digital world
Via GovFresh – “18F has developed a framework for how it helps agencies with digital transformation efforts and has created a deck, “Transforming U.S. government services in a digital world,” that offers a blueprint for others looking to do this on their own. 18F’s Chris Cairns shares more about the work around this effort….” Continue Reading
EPA Notifies Fiat Chrysler of Clean Air Act Violations
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a notice of violation to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and FCA US LLC (collectively FCA) for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act for installing and failing to disclose engine management software in light-duty model year 2014, 2015 and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500… Continue Reading
Pew Fact Sheets – Evolution of Technology
A new set of fact sheets can be used as a one-stop shop for anyone looking for information on digital technology trends. Record shares of Americans now own smartphones, have home broadband. January 12, 2017. Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet Social Media Fact Sheet Mobile Fact Sheet Continue Reading
the guardian – BBC sets up team to debunk fake news
Permanent Reality Check team will target false stories or facts being shared on social media “The BBC is to assemble a team to fact check and debunk deliberately misleading and false stories masquerading as real news. Amid growing concern among politicians and news organisations about the impact of false information online, news chief James Harding… Continue Reading
CBO Monthly Budget Review for December 2016
“The federal budget deficit was $207 billion for the first three months of fiscal year 2017, the Congressional Budget Office estimates—$8 billion less than the shortfall recorded during the same period last year. But that result was affected by shifts in the timing of certain payments that otherwise would have been due on a weekend… Continue Reading
Trends in Spending by the Department of Defense for Operation and Maintenance
“The Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) budget consists of appropriations for the following purposes: compensating military personnel; developing and purchasing weapons; building bases, facilities, and housing; and supporting day-to-day operations. The largest single appropriation category in DoD’s base budget is the operation and maintenance (O&M) account, which funds day-to-day operations ranging from health care to equipment maintenance.… Continue Reading
