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Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici

New GAO Reports – Combating Nuclear Smuggling, Defense Management, Info Tech Duplicative Investments, Medicare Program Integrity, Chemical Assessments

Combating Nuclear Smuggling – Lessons Learned from Cancelled Radiation Portal Monitor Program Could Help Future Acquisitions, GAO-13-256, May 13, 2013 Defense Management – More Reliable Cost Estimates and Further Planning Needed to Inform the Marine Corps Realignment Initiatives in the Pacific, GAO-13-360, Jun 11, 2013 Information Technology – OMB and Agencies Need to Focus Continued… Continue Reading

Pew – Majority Views NSA Phone Tracking as Acceptable Anti-terror Tactic

Public Says Investigate Terrorism, Even If It Intrudes on Privacy: “A majority of Americans – 56% – say the National Security Agency’s (NSA) program tracking the telephone records of millions of Americans is an acceptable way for the government to investigate terrorism, though a substantial minority – 41% – say it is unacceptable. And while… Continue Reading

Report on the use of data visualization in government

The IBM Center for the Business of Government – The Use of Data Visualization in Government: “The report presents case studies on how visualization techniques  are now being used by two local governments, one state government, and three federal government agencies . Each case study  discusses the audience for visualization . Understanding audience  is important, as government… Continue Reading

Cisco Report – The Financial Impact of BYOD

“To help companies determine the current and potential value of BYOD, Cisco IBSG conducted a detailed financial analysis of BYOD in six countries. Our findings show that, on average, BYOD is saving companies money and helping their employees become more productive. But the value companies currently derive from BYOD is dwarfed by the gains that… Continue Reading

Speech – The Case for Timely Implementation of Revised Capital Rules

Speech, Federal Reserve Board Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin At the Ohio Bankers Day, Columbus, Ohio, June 6, 2013. Let’s Move Forward: The Case for Timely Implementation of Revised Capital Rules:  “There is significant justification for both higher levels, and higher quality, of capital. In particular, we have seen that highly capitalized banks are more likely… Continue Reading

EPA Survey Shows $384 Billion Needed for Drinking Water Infrastructure by 2030

News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nation’s drinking water infrastructure through 2030 for systems to continue providing safe drinking water to 297 million Americans. EPA’s fifth Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment identifies investments needed over… Continue Reading

Using Eminent Domain to Address Underwater Mortgage Debt

“With more than 11 million homes still “underwater,” the mortgage debt overhang caused by the housing bubble remains an impediment to economic growth and a burden on communities across the country.  One possible solution to this problem is for state and municipal governments to use their eminent domain authority to purchase and restructure underwater mortgages. … Continue Reading

Pew Study on Nonprofit Journalism

Nonprofit Journalism — A Growing but Fragile Part of the U.S. News System, By Amy Mitchell, Mark Jurkowitz, Jesse Holcomb, Jodi Enda and Monica Anderson  “The growing nonprofit news sector is showing some signs of economic health, and most leaders of those outlets express optimism about the future, according to a new study by the… Continue Reading

Pew – Tablet Ownership

“For the first time, a third (34%) of American adults ages 18 and older own a tablet computer like an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Google Nexus, or Kindle Fire—almost twice as many as the 18% who owned a tablet a year ago. Demographic groups most likely to own tablets include: Those living in households earning… Continue Reading