ProPublica: “In 2007, Jeff Bezos, then a multibillionaire and now the world’s richest man, did not pay a penny in federal income taxes. He achieved the feat again in 2011. In 2018, Tesla founder Elon Musk, the second-richest person in the world, also paid no federal income taxes. Michael Bloomberg managed to do the same… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Government Documents
Cybersecurity Resources for 9-1-1 Centers
“This document describes several CISA resources available to public safety communications organizations to help enhance their cybersecurity posture and resilience. Public safety communications entities, such as Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs), Public Safety Communications Centers (PSCCs), and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), are a highly visible and important part of Emergency Services Sector communications, and therefore… Continue Reading
The Supreme Court Puts Trump Above the Law
The Atlantic via MSN: “Near the top of their sweeping, lawless opinion in Trump v. United States, Donald Trump’s defenders on the Supreme Court repeat one of the most basic principles of American constitutional government: “The president is not above the law.” They then proceed to obliterate it. Although the pro-Trump justices attempt to nest… Continue Reading
No surprises act
ProPublica: “In 2020, Congress passed the No Surprises Act to protect patients from exorbitant medical bills that had burdened Americans with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. The law was designed to decrease the charges for patients treated by an out-of-network doctor during medical emergencies. Such ER visits often left people vulnerable to so-called… Continue Reading
Energy releases generative AI guidance for employees, contractors
Fedscoop: “Employees and contractors at the Department of Energy now have a new reference guide to help them navigate use of generative AI tools at the agency, including best practices and a note that ChatGPT is available for use by request. That 61-page document was published and distributed on DOE’s internal network on June 14,… Continue Reading
Cars & Consumer Data: On Unlawful Collection & Use
FTC: “Some say the car a person drives can say a lot about them. As cars get “connected,” this turns out to be truer than many people might have realized. While connectivity can let drivers do things like play their favorite internet radio stations or unlock their car with an app, connected cars can also… Continue Reading
Mapping the World’s Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Shows Prospects Diverge
IMF – “New AI Preparedness Index Dashboard tracks 174 economies based on their digital infrastructure, human capital, labor policies, innovation, integration and regulation, Giovanni Melina June 25, 2024. Artificial intelligence can increase productivity, boost economic growth, and lift incomes. However, it could also wipe out millions of jobs and widen inequality. Our research has already… Continue Reading
Inside the US government’s brilliantly boring websites
MIT Technology Review – You may not notice it, but your experience on any US government website is a carefully crafted experience. “The United States has an official web design system and a custom typeface. This public design system aims to make government websites not only good-looking but accessible and functional for all. Before the… Continue Reading
Where third-party candidates could spoil 2024
Politico – Getting on the ballot has enormous stakes. “Independent and third-party candidates are potential disruptors for Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a race expected to be decided by razor thin margins. But before these candidates become true threats, they have to first get on the ballot. “And if you are not on the… Continue Reading
Conservative-backed group creating list of federal workers it suspects could resist Trump plans
AP: “From his home office in small-town Kentucky, a seasoned political operative is quietly investigating scores of federal employees suspected of being hostile to the policies of Republican Donald Trump, a highly unusual and potentially chilling effort that dovetails with broader conservative preparations for a new White House. Tom Jones and his American Accountability Foundation… Continue Reading
US banks seek to open vendors’ black box on green data
Risk.net – Inaugural Fed climate scenario analysis flags lack of transparency around third-party models: “The US Federal Reserve and the country’s largest banks have had their differences, especially in recent months. But the regulator’s first ever climate scenario analysis has revealed a common cause: frustration over the climate risk models provided by third party vendors.… Continue Reading
America in Facts 2024: A Data-Driven Report for Congress
“To create America in Facts 2024, USAFacts interviewed Congressional staff on their topics of interest and the challenges they face when using data. These interviews spanned the House of Representatives and the Senate, included Republicans and Democrats, and identified several topics that we used to inform this report. We hope that members of Congress and… Continue Reading
