State of Montana Employee Profile - 2006

"The Employee Profile answers the most frequently asked questions about state employees. The profile also serves to report to the Governor on the status of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program, required by Executive Order 24-81.

"Chapter I contains general statistical information about state employees in Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of government (see organizational charts), such as number of employees in the agency, regular versus temporary/seasonal employees, employee leave information and EEO status (race, sex, disability and age) by agency.

"Chapter II contains information on the Equal Employment Opportunity and Classification and Pay Programs and includes information on employee compensation by pay plan and EEO category."

Mike Horse Dam Plan Alternatives

From the Helena National Forest press release: "The Helena National Forest is inviting public comment on a 'Draft Concept Alternatives Technical Memorandum for the Mike Horse Dam and Tailings Impoundment at the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex'."

You can find the new Mike Horse Dam alternatives on the Helena National Forest website.

Source: Backus, Perry. "Study considers alternatives for Mike Horse Dam." Missoulian February 24, 2006. B1.

Friday Resource Round-up

2007 LAWS Database
The Montana Legislature has already set up the database for the 2007 Legislative Session. Use the database to take a look at forthcoming bills.

Air Travel Consumer Report
The February issue reports on flight delays, mishandled bags, oversales, consumer complaints, and Airline Animal Incident Reports.

Declassification in Reverse: The Pentagon and the U.S. Intelligence Community's Secret Historical Document Reclassification Program
Briefing informaton from the National Securty Archive.

EPA’s and Mississippi’s Efforts to Assess and Restore Public Drinking Water Supplies after Hurricane Katrina
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Evaluation Report.

Facts for Features: Women’s History Month: March 2006
The Census has assembled key figures on women in honor of women's history month.

FDA Centennial, 1906-2006: Protecting and Promoting Public Health
Links to information on the Food and Drug Administration's centennial and to core FDA publications.

Hurricane Spending and the Federal Budget
A report from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee.

Minutes of the Legislative Reference Service, 1947-1953
Hosted by the Memory Hole.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide
Tools for NCVR Week: sample press release, speeches, PSAs, artwork,and features.

Poverty Reduction and Growth: Virtuous and Vicious Circles
A World Bank report.

Recent Changes in U.S. Family Finances: Evidence from the 2001 and 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances
A Federal Reserve publication.

A Report to the Special Review Committee of the Board of Directors of Fannie Mae: Executive Summary
The summary of the internal review of Fannie Mae. You can also read the full report online (2,652 pages). Thanks to Swem Government Information for the links.

Science and Engineering Indicators 2006
The National Science Board publication is now available to the public.

Trafficking in Persons
A feature of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

America's Youth at 18: School Enrollment and Employment Transitions Between Ages 17 and 18 Summary

Another Retirement Savings Option: Roth 401(k) Plan

Comparing characteristics and expenditures of consumer units in selected income ranges

Consumer Price Index: January 2006

International Comparisons Of Manufacturing Productivity And Unit Labor Cost Trends, Revised Data For 2004

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Child Support Enforcement: Program Basics

Child Support Provisions in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171)

China's Trade with the United States and the World

Data Security: Federal Legislative Approaches

Earmarks in Appropriation Acts: FY1994, FY1996, FY1998, FY2000, FY2002, FY2004, FY2005

European Union Enlargement

European Views and Policies Toward the Middle East

Financing the U.S. Trade Deficit

Interrogation of Detainees: Overview of the McCain Amendment

Medicaid and SCHIP: FY2007 Budget Issues

Nursing Homes and the Congress: A Brief History of Developments and Issues

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Fact Sheet on Three International Agreements

Post-War Iraq: Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and Reconstruction

Russia

Russia's Cutoff of Natural Gas to Ukraine: Context and Implications

The United States and Europe: Possible Options for U.S. Policy

U.S. Armed Forces Abroad: Selected Congressional Roll Call Votes Since 1982

U.S.-European Union Trade Relations: Issues and Policy Challenges

U.S. Nuclear Weapons: Changes in Policy and Force Structure

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Border Security: Key Unresolved Issues Justify Reevaluation of Border Surveillance Technology Program

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Some Issues and Challenges Associated with Major Emergency Incidents

Employee Compensation: Employer Spending on Benefits Has Grown Faster Than Wages, Due Largely to Rising Costs for Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits

Fisheries Management: Core Principles and a Strategic Approach Would Enhance Stakeholder Participation in Developing Quota-Based Programs

Hospital Quality Data: CMS Needs More Rigorous Methods to Ensure Reliability of Publicly Released Data

Medicare: Sponsors' Management of the Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Benefit

Peacekeeping: Cost Comparison of Actual UN and Hypothetical U.S. Operations in Haiti

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Hypertension-Related Mortality Among Hispanic Subpopulations - United States, 1995--2002

Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Personnel

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Associated with Eating Ground Beef - United States, 2004

Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adolescents: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines

United Nations Documents:

Combating Counterfeit Drugs: A Concept Paper for Effective International Cooperation

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reports

New International Law Commission website

White House Report on Katrina Response

From the White House fact sheet: "Today, the Administration released its review of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. The President's charge to evaluate the Federal government's response to the storm resulted in the report and recommendations released today by the Administration, The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned. The product of an extensive review, led by the President's Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend, the Report identifies deficiencies in the Federal government's response and lays the groundwork for transforming how the Nation - from every level of government, to the private sector, to individual citizens and communities - pursues a real and lasting vision of emergency preparedness and response."

Read the White House report online: The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned. The President's statement on the report is also available.

Source: Branigin, William. "White House Identifies Katrina Response Failures." Washington Post February 23, 2006.

Booktruck Favorites

Every week, before they head to the shelf, I review the new tangible (print, microfiche, DVD-ROM) government materials that come to the library. I always find a few favorites and surprises: hearings I hadn't heard about, books from programs that were new to me, areas of research I didn't know the government pursued. Here are this week's favorites.

Building the Bombs: A History of the Nuclear Weapons Complex
Call number: E 1.2:B 86/9 2005
Also available online
This book was published by the Sandia National Laboratories.

Pakistan Earthquake: International Response and Impact on U.S. Foreign Policies and Programs
Call number: Y 4.F 76/2:S.PRT.109-41
Also available online
A staff trip report of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is a "committee print," also referred to as "the homework of Congress."

Keeping the Power on: Examining the Impact of Soaring Energy Costs on the Elderly
Call number: Y 4.Ag 4:S.HRG.109-192
Also available online
The transcript of a June 15, 2005, hearing held by the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Includes an opening statement by Senator Burns.

Reducing Peer-To-Peer (P2P) Piracy on University Campuses: A Progress Update
Call number: Y 4.J 89/1:109-56
Also available online
The transcript of a September 22, 2005, hearing before the House Committee on the Judiciary (Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property).

Hurricane Katrina's Effect on Gasoline Supply and Prices
Call number: Y 4.C 73/8:109-32
Also available online
This is the full transcript of the September 7, 2005, hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and it features testimony from the Governor of Mississippi, representatives from the Association of Oil Pipelines, the Department of Energy, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, and more.

Projected Health Care Spending

From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) press release: "Over the coming decade, with the aging of the population and changes in medical technology and utilization as the main contributing factors, national health expenditures are expected to double, growing an average rate of 7.2 percent per year. As a result, the health share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 16 percent in 2004, is expected to climb to 20 percent by 2015."

You can find national health expenditure projections from the CMS Office of the Actuary. Projections from 2005 to 2015 are available, and the page links to the recent Health Affairs article, "Health Spending Projections Through 2015: Changes On The Horizon."

Source: Pugh, Tony. "Health care spending in U.S. to double in about 10 years." Missoulian February 22, 2006. A7.

Montana Land Exchange

From the Missoulian: "Montana's top five elected officials on Tuesday narrowly turned down a state lands exchange that has inflamed passions from Hamilton to Lincoln for weeks.

"Gov. Brian Schweitzer cast the final, deciding vote against exchanging 800 acres of state lands near Sula for 1,458 privately owned acres near Lincoln."

For more information, visit the Montana State Land Board website. Yesterday's agenda item on the exchange is available. You can find the original proposal and environmental documents on the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) site.

Source: McKee, Jennifer. "Bitterroot, Blackfoot land exchange rejected." Missoulian February 22, 2006. A1.

Montana Sheep and Lamb Data

From the Billings Gazette: "Montana farmers lost more sheep and lambs overall last year though the number killed by predators dropped 9 percent, according to a federal agriculture report and statistician."

More information is available in the longer version of the press release issued by the Montana Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). More Montana data is available on the Field Office site, and additional reports on sheep, lambs, and other commodities are available on the main NASS website.

Source: Bohrer, Becky. "Report: Montana sheep losses up overall." Billings Gazette February 21, 2006.

National Guard Bill

Featured on KPAX-TV: "Senator Max Baucus says at least half of Montana's National Guard members should remain in the state,at all times.

"The Montana Democrat has introduced a bill that would restrict deployment of National Guard troops. Baucus and a number of governors, including Montana's, say sending National Guard men and women to the Middle East has left too great a security gap at home."

Senator Baucus introduced S. 2303 on February 16, 2006. The Senator's introductory remarks on the measure appear on page s1423 of the Congressional Record. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Source: "Baucus wants to restrict deployment of Guard troops." KPAX. February 20, 2006.

Rocky Mountain Front Travel Plan

From the Billings Gazette: "The U.S. Forest Service has agreed to split up a proposed travel plan for the Rocky Mountain Front and spend more time analyzing an area the Blackfeet Indian Tribe says is sacred.

"Early last summer, the agency issued a draft travel plan containing five options for the 392,000-acre Front, a rugged and wildlife-rich swath of country south of Glacier National Park where the mountains meet the plains."

You can view the first draft of the plan on the Lewis and Clark National Forest website: Rocky Mountain Ranger District - Travel Plan.

Source: "USFS responds to Blackfeet concerns: Tribe seeks changes to travel plan on sacred lands." Billings Gazette February 21, 2006.

Friday Resource Round-up

2006 Consumer Action Handbook
A new guide from the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Citizen Information Center.

Annual Energy Outlook 2006: With Projections to 2030
A report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Census and Economic Information Center Winter 2006 Newsletter
Learn more about the latest work of the Montana CEIC.

Current Monthly Energy Chronology: January 2006
A timeline from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Department of Energy Declassification Plan
"The Department of Energy expects to complete the declassification review of 12.7 million pages of its 25 year old historically valuable permanent records by December 31, 2006."

DHS Intelligence Enterprise Strategic Plan
A plan from the Department of Homeland Security.

Effect of the Home Health Prospective Payment System on the Quality of Home Health Care
A report of the Health and Human Services Inspector General.

The Effects of Government Taxes and Transfers on Income and Poverty: 2004
Census Bureau data.

Extent, Nature and Consequences of Rape Victimization: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey
A special report of the National Institute of Justice.

Future of Higher Education: Meeting Transcripts
Transcripts from the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education are available.

How the Justice System Responds to Juvenile Victims: A Comprehensive Model
Part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Crimes Against Children series.

Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum
A publication of the Committee on Geography, National Research Council.

The On-Line Academy
Historical and cultural materials from the Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture, associated with the Smithsonian.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunting and Accident Incident Report Form
The form from the Cheney hunting accident, hosted by CNN (thanks to the University of Michigan Documents Center for the link).

Utilization of Tax Incentives for Retirement Saving: An Update
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) background paper.

Women & Girls in the Criminal Justice System
A National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) overview.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Absence rates and industry, 2005

A Glance at Long-Term Unemployment in Recent Recessions

International Comparisons of Manufacturing Productivity and Unit Labor Cost Trends

Reason for unemployment, 2005

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress

Arsenic in Drinking Water: Regulatory Developments and Issues

The Budget for Fiscal Year 2006

Computer Services Personnel: Overtime Pay Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

Data Mining and Homeland Security: An Overview

The Endangered Species Act and Claims of Property Rights "Takings"

Farm Commodity Programs: Direct Payments, Counter-Cyclical Payments, and Marketing Loans

France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations

Homeland Security: Data on Employees and Unions Potentially Affected

Housing Issues in the 109th Congress

Immigration Related Border Security Legislation in the 109th Congress

Iraq: Oil-For-Food Program, Illicit Trade, and Investigations

Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance

Japan's Economic and Security Challenges

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: An Overview of Implementation for Dual Eligibles

Military Base Closures: Socioeconomic Impacts

NATO and the European Union

Nuclear Arms Control: The U.S.-Russian Agenda

Palestinian Elections

The Peace Corps: Current Issues

Sources of Legislative Proposals: A Descriptive Introduction

Economic Research Service (ERS) Reports:

China's Rising Fruit and Vegetable Exports Challenge U.S. Industries

Food Assistance Landscape

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

21st Century: Addressing Long-Term Fiscal Challenges Must Include a Re-examination of Mandatory Spending

Disaster Preparedness: Preliminary Observations on the Evacuation of Hospitals and Nursing Homes Due to Hurricanes

GAO Survey of Dislocated Workers

Homeland Security: Recommendations to Improve Management of Key Border Security Program Need to Be Implemented

Investigation: Military Meals, Ready-To-Eat Sold on eBay

Natural Gas: Factors Affecting Prices and Potential Impacts on Consumers

Public Housing: Information on the Roles of HUD, Public Housing Agencies, Capital Markets, and Service Organizations

Social Security Numbers: Coordinated Approach to SSN Data Could Help Reduce Unauthorized Work

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Assessing Capacity for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of West Nile Virus Infection - United States, 1999 and 2004

Enterovirus Surveillance - United States, 2002-2004

Resurgence of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 Transmission and Consequences of Importation - 21 Countries, 2002-2005

United Nations Documents:

The Afghanistan Compact

Forum on Forests

Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups: A Manual for Practitioners

Peacekeeping Best Practices

Policies of United Nations system organizations towards the use of open source software in the secretariats

Situation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay

W.R. Grace Motions to Dismiss

From the Missoulian: "Stacked in the courtroom Tuesday, attorneys for W.R. Grace and Co. fought to dismiss federal charges alleging the company's top executives knowingly released deadly asbestos into the air in Libby...

"Defense attorneys argued eight separate motions to dismiss, the grounds for which range from duplicitous prosecution to statutes of limitation."

The 8 motions to dismiss (documents 248-255) and the various response documents are available for public viewing through the District Court of Montana electronic case file for U.S. vs W.R. Grace. You can search the case file by date (the motions to dismiss were submitted on December 15, 2005) or view a list of all docket entries.

Source: Scott, Tristan. "W.R. Grace moves to dismiss criminal charges." Missoulian February 15, 2006. A1.

House Report on Katrina Response

From the Washington Post: "The deaths and suffering of thousands of Hurricane Katrina's victims might have been avoided if the government had heeded lessons from the 2001 terror attacks and taken a proactive stance toward disaster preparedness, a House inquiry concludes."

The full report, "A Failure of Initiative: The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina" and appendices are available on the website of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.

Source: Jordon, Lara Jakes. "House Probe Blasts Katrina Preparation." Washington Post February 15, 2006.

Analysis of Bonneville Power Changes

From the Missoulian: "A White House plan to reduce the federal deficit by tapping the already cash-strapped Bonneville Power Administration likely would result in electricity rate hikes, and could cost the region more than 1,000 jobs.

"That's according to an analysis by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The council is a multi-state agency, created by Congress to ensure affordable and reliable electricity throughout the Northwest."

A press release and the full analysis are available on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council website.

Source: Jamison, Michael. "Analysis says BPA plan will raise rates." Missoulian February 15, 2006. A1.

GAO Report on Media Contracts

From the Washington Post: "How much is good press worth? To the Bush administration, about $1.6 billion.

"That's how much seven federal departments spent from 2003 through the second quarter of 2005 on 343 contracts with public relations firms, advertising agencies, media organizations and individuals, according to a new Government Accountability Office report."

The full General Accountability Office (GAO) report on media contracts is available for review: "Media Contracts: Activities and Financial Obligations for Seven Federal Departments."

"UPDATE: PREPACKAGED NEWS." Washington Post February 14, 2006. A13.

Hurricane Katrina Accountability

From the Washington Post: "Tens of thousands of people received aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency using possibly fraudulent identities because the relief effort did not perform routine checks that might have flagged such activity, government investigators said yesterday."

The General Accountability Office (GAO) report is available online: "Expedited Assistance for Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: FEMA's Control Weaknesses Exposed the Government to Significant Fraud and Abuse."

The first of two much anticipated reports on the government response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be released tomorrow. Oddly enough, a response document is available before the release of the official report (thanks to the UC-Boulder blog for the link).

In the meantime, you can find prepared statements from witnesses and other hearing information on the websites of the House and Senate oversight committees investigating this issue.

Sources: "Audits reveal millions in Katrina relief wasted." Missoulian February 14, 2006. A10.
"FEMA Aid Effort Fraught With Fraud: Thousands Received Money Improperly." Washington Post February 14, 2006. A9.

Economic Report of the President

From GPO Access: "The Economic Report of the President is an annual report written by the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. It overviews the nation's economic progress using text and extensive data appendices."

The latest Economic Report of the President was released today. The page also links to historic reports from 1960 through the present.

Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006

From the Missoulian: "Subsidies for rural telephone service in Montana and the country need revision, so they can fund services like high-speed Internet and remain financially sound, telephone officials say.

"And Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., introduced a bill this week to accomplish those goals, revising the so-called 'universal service' program."

Information on the "Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006" (S. 2256) is available through THOMAS. The statement Senator Burns made upon introducing the bill is available on his website and through the Congressional Record (beginning on page s866).

The proposed bill is an update of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Communications Act of 1934. Several federal agencies work on expanding telecommunications access. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has an interesting page on Telecommunications Service in Rural America. The Department of Agriculture also provides information on the Rural Development Telecommunications Program.

Source: "Burns urges help for rural telephones." Missoulian February 11, 2006. B1.

Proposed Forest Land Sale

From the Forest Service: "The FY 2007 President's Budget proposes to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for another five years. To help fund this initiative, the Administration recommends selling a limited number of acres of National Forest System lands around the nation. Lands that are potentially eligible have been identified and are displayed in a table at the following link Lands Potentially Eligible for Sale by State and National Forest."

The Forest Service page describing the potential sale outlines the proposed land for sale, provides maps for some forests, and links to more information on the "Payments to States" program. The list of Forest Service lands "potentially eligible for sale" lists the Montana parcels by township, range, and section. A map of the relevant land in the Bitterroot National Forest is available, and maps for the other Montana forests should be forthcoming. In the meantime, you can get an idea of the intended sale lands by searching the Montana Topographic Map Finder by township, range, and section. This tool is provided by the Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS).

This issue was mentioned previously on February 8, 2006; the post includes links to the original law and the section of the proposed budget that discusses the law.

Sources: "Federal land sale still vague." Missoulian February 11, 2006. A1.
"300,000 acres could be on auction block." Missoulian February 11, 2006. A1.

Friday Resource Round-up

Action Today, A Foundation for Tomorrow: The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
The second annual report to Congress from the State Department.

Air Travel Consumer Report
The February issue of this Department of Transportation publication is now available.

Black History Month Resources
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) has compiled useful government resources for Black History Month, like "Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project" and "Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site."

Climate of 2005 - Annual Report
The full version of this annual National Climatic Data Center report is now available.

Dying Too Young: Addressing Premature Mortality and Ill Health Due to Non Communicable Diseases and Injuries in the Russian Federation
A World Bank publication.

Environmental Health Perspectives
The February issue features articles on neurodevelopment, the flu vaccine, pesticides and Parkinson's, and more.

ExpectMore.gov
A brand new portal site: "The content on ExpectMore.gov is developed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and Federal agencies. Together, we assess the performance of every Federal program and hold ourselves accountable for improvement."

Felony Defendants in Large Urban Counties, 2002
A Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report.

Girls and Drugs
A new report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (recently featured on the Today Show).

Highly Enriched Uranium: Striking A Balance
"A historical report on the United States highly enriched uranium production, acquisition, and utilization activities from 1945 through September 1996" (hosted by the Federation of American Scientists).

Independent Evaluation of the Food and Drug Administration's First Cycle Review Performance--Retrospective Analysis Final Report
An FDA report issued in the Federal Register assessing the FDA's review process.

International Affairs Budget
The State Department outlines the proposed budget for international affairs.

National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism
A recently released Defense Department publication.

The Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States
This digitized version from the University of Michigan Digital Library now includes the papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Report on Orphan Works
The Copyright Office has issued its full report on orphan works, "copyrighted works whose owners may be impossible to identify and locate."

State Transportation Statistics 2005
A Bureau of Transportation Statistics report.

Summary of OPI Activities for February
Activities of the Montana Office of Public Instruction for February 2006.

Trial of Saddam Hussein
A new Law Library of Congress website.

We the People: American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States
A Census 2000 special report.

Wiretap Debate Déjà Vu
Background documents from the National Security Archive.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Issues in Labor Statistics

Job openings and labor turnover in 2005

Separations due to mass layoffs, 2005

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Conducting Foreign Relations Without Authority: The Logan Act

Data Security: Federal and State Laws

Federal Employees: Pay and Pension Increases Since 1969

The Federal Government Debt: Its Size and Economic Significance

Federal Habeas Corpus Relief: Background, Legislation, and Issues

Federal Student Aid Need Analysis System: Background, Description, and Legislative Action

FEMA's Flood Hazard Map Modernization Initiative

Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection

Health Insurance: Federal Data Sources for Analyses of the Uninsured

Internet Taxation: Issues and Legislation in the 109th Congress

The National Environmental Policy Act: Streamlining NEPA

Navy Role in Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- Background and Issues for Congress

Papua, Indonesia: Issues for Congress

The Pattern of Interest Rates in 2006: Could It Signal an Impending Recession?

Probable Cause, Reasonable Suspicion, and Reasonableness Standards in the Context of the Fourth Amendment and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Reauthorizing and Restructuring the Transportation Security Administration's Aviation Security Functions: Legislative Issues and Approaches

Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues

Suspension of Rules in the House: Measure Sponsorship by Party

U.S. Assistance to North Korea: Fact Sheet

The Wetlands Coverage of the Clean Water Act is Revisited by the Supreme Court: Rapanos and Carabell

Economic Research Service (ERS) Reports:

Characteristics and Production Costs of U.S. Corn Farms, 2001

Farm Balance Sheet Data

Season-average Price Forecasts

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE)

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Aviation Security: Significant Management Challenges May Adversely Affect Implementation of the Transportation Security Administration's Secure Flight Program

Breastfeeding: Some Strategies Used to Market Infant Formula May Discourage Breastfeeding; State Contracts Should Better Protect Against Misuse of WIC Name

Community Services Block Grant Program: HHS Needs to Improve Monitoring of State Grantees

National Park Service: Opportunities Exist to Clarify and Strengthen Special Uses Permit Guidance on Setting Grazing Fees and Cost-Recovery

Rebuilding Iraq: Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Financing Challenges

Telecommunications: Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications For Native Americans on Tribal Lands

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS - 33 States, 2001-2004

United Nations Documents:

Global Environment Outlook (GEO) Year Book 2006

Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran

United Nations Documentation: Research Guide

New Economic Research Service Reports

The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) released quite a few significant agricultural reports and data sets today:

2006 Farm Income Forecast

Agricultural Baseline Database

Agricultural Baseline Projection Tables

Agricultural Baseline Projections

Farm Income and Costs

Farm Income Data

USDA Agricultural Baseline Projections to 2015

Montana Roadless Working Group

From the Helena Independent Record: "Conservation, hunting and fishing groups launched a new Web site this week to provide information on the 6.4 million acres of roadless areas in Montana, as well as provide opportunities to comment on state and national proposals that might affect some of those National Forest lands."

Montana Roadless Working Group

Source: "Montana Roadless Working Group launches Web site." Helena Independent Record February 10, 2006.

PATRIOT Act Extension and Reauthorization

From the Washington Post: "Efforts to extend the USA Patriot Act cleared a major hurdle yesterday when the White House and key senators agreed to revisions that are virtually certain to secure Senate passage and likely to win House approval, congressional leaders said."

Details of the compromise are available on Senator Sununu's website. The compromise details affect the conference report for H.R. 3199 , the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005.

The PATRIOT Act has been extended twice already, through H.R. 4647 and H.R. 4659.

Source: "Patriot Act Compromise Clears Way for Senate Vote." Washington Post February 10, 2006.

Bonneville Power Administration Changes

From the Missoulian: "Montana's senators oppose a federal initiative to raise electricity rates for the state's consumers of Bonneville Power Administration electricity by nearly $100 million over the next 10 years.

"The rate increase is part of the president's proposed budget for fiscal year 2007. If carried through, the increases would go into effect in 2008 and 2009."

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is referenced in the Department of Energy section, the appendix, and the analytical perspectives of the proposed federal budget. Yesterday, the Secretary of Energy discussed changes to BPA in an addresss to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

BPA has also issued a press release about sending surplus funds to the Department of the Treasury (rather than using the funds to reduce rates).

Sources: "Senators oppose increase for BPA." Missoulian February 10, 2006. B1.
"Power plan for Northwest delayed, not canceled: Senators criticize energy chief over proposal for BPA." Seattle Post-Intelligencer February 10, 2006.

Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act Hearing

From the Missoulian: "U.S. Senate leaders searched for answers Wednesday during a committee hearing about ways to make politically active tribes more accountable for their campaign contributions.

"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. and chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led six panelists through a discussion on federal election laws and tribal campaign contributions in the wake of a recent lobbying debacle in the nation's capital."

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs webpage on the Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act hearing includes Senator McCain's opening statement and the prepared remarks of witnesses.

For campaign finance information (who's donating? how much? to whom?), visit the Federal Election Commission website. The site also includes information on campaign finance laws.

Source: "Panel mulls regulating Indian contributions." Missoulian February 9, 2006. A1.

Hearing on Wartime Executive Power and the NSA's Surveillance Authority

From the Washington Post: "Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales spent more than seven hours yesterday sparring with skeptical lawmakers over a controversial domestic eavesdropping program, defending its legality while refusing to answer dozens of questions about its operations or whether President Bush has authorized other types of warrantless searches or surveillance in the United States."

Prepared statements are available on the Senate Judiciary Committee website.

The Washington Post has made the transcript of the hearing available online:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Source: "Gonzales Defends Surveillance: Senators From Both Parties Challenge Attorney General on Program." Washington Post February 7, 2006.

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act

From the Missoulian: "National forest land may be sold off to fund a federal program designed to help counties and school districts make up for the loss of money they previously received from federal timber sales.

"The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was signed into law by then-President Clinton in 2000. The law, initially carried by a Democrat and Republican from Oregon, was passed to help counties that previously received significant revenues from timber sales on federal lands."

For background information, you can find more about the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (H.R. 2389) through THOMAS. The section of the proposed budget on the Department of Agriculture addresses the extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (page 42).

Source: "Forest lands may be on the block." Missoulian February 8, 2006. A1.

Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005

From the Missoulian: "The Senate on Wednesday will begin debating a bill to create a $140 billion trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos exposure--including provisions for those in Libby--after Democratic leaders backed off an attempt Tuesday to stop the measure from coming to the floor."

You can find up-to-date information on the FAIR Act of 2005, S. 852, through THOMAS. A transcript of yesterday's discussion of the FAIR Act can be found in the Congressional Record, beginning on page s740. The text of the speech Senator Burns made on the Senate floor is also available on his website. Discussion will continue today, and the transcript will appear in tomorrow's edition of the Congressional Record.

Sources: "Asbestos bill moves to Senate floor: Montana senators praise progress." Missoulian February 8, 2006. A3.
"Asbestos Settlement Advances: Senate Votes To Permit Debate." Washington Post February 8, 2006.

FY 2007 Budget Proposal

From the Washington Post: "President Bush today proposed a $2.8 trillion budget for fiscal 2007 that would cut billions of dollars from domestic programs ranging from Medicare and food stamps to local law enforcement and disease control, while extending most of his tax cuts beyond their 2010 expiration date.

"Under the plan, a budget deficit -- expected to reach $423 billion this year -- would fall to $183 billion by 2010, more than meeting his goal to cut the deficit in half by 2009. But it would rise again to $205 billion in 2011, reflecting the cost of the extensions in the president's tax cuts."

You can find details on the President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal on the White House website, or through GPO Access.

Source: "Bush's $2.8T Budget Proposal Cuts Domestic Programs." Washington Post February 6, 2006.

Friday Resource Round-Up

Apologies for the delay. Blogspot was experiencing difficulties on Friday.

100 Companies Receiving The Largest Dollar Volume Of Prime Contract Awards - Fiscal Year 2005
"This report contains summary data on the 100 companies, including their subsidiaries, which were awarded the largest total dollar volume of Department of Defense prime contract awards during fiscal year 2005."

2004 Demographic Profile of the Federal Workforce
An Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publication.

Age of First Use among Admissions for Drugs: 1993 and 2003
A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Amber Waves: February 2006
The latest issue of this USDA publication is now available.

Annual Survey of Manufactures, Geographic Area Statistics: 2004
A new Census Bureau report.

Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data: January-December 2005
Data from the Federal Trade Commission.

Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2004
Census Bureau information on aid from the federal government to state and local governments.

Federal and State Endangered and Threatened Species Expenditures: Fiscal Year 2004
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report.

Food Stamp Program Costs and Error Rates, 1989-2001
An Economic Research Service (ERS) report.

FY2006-07 Budget Limitation Summary
Budget information for school districts from the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI).

Globalization, Biosecurity, and the Future of the Life Sciences
You can browse this National Academies Press book online for free.

Guideline for Implementing Cryptography In the Federal Government
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report.

Homeschooling in the United States: 2003
A new report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

NSF’S Cyberinfrastructure Vision for 21st Century Discovery
A National Science Foundation (NSF) report.

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates by Type and Size of Vehicle
A Traffic Safety Facts Research Note from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Quadrennial Defense Review Report
This Defense Department report is published every four years and covers "national defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the defense program and policies of the United States with a view toward determining and expressing the defense strategy of the United States and establishing a defense program for the next 20 years."

Secretary's One Month Progress Report on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
A report from Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Access to and Participation in Employer-Provided Health Care Plans, Private Industry, 2005

BLS Update

Employment Situation: January 2006

Monthly Labor Review (January 2006)

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Bank and Thrift Deposit Insurance Premiums: The Record from 1934 to 2004

Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration

Digital Television: An Overview

Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers

FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products: A Policy and Legal Analysis

Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force

FY2005 Budget Documents: Internet Access and GPO Availability

Higher Education Tax Credits: Test An Economic Analysis

Internet: An Overview of Key Technology Policy Issues Affecting Its Use and Growth

Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy

Legal Analysis and Background on the EPA's Proposed Rules for Regulating Mercury Emissions from Electric Utilities

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries

Mexico's Importance and Multiple Relationships with the United States

Nuclear Weapons Complex Reconfiguration: Analysis of an Energy Department Task Force Report

Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers

Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs

Space Exploration: Issues Concerning the "Vision for Space Exploration"

Spectrum Use and the Transition to Digital TV

U.S. Aid to the Palestinians

Votes Other Than Favorably on Judicial Nominations, 1939-2003

Wireless Technology and Spectrum Demand: Advanced Wireless Services

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Defense Acquisitions: DOD Management Approach and Processes Not Well-Suited to Support Development of Global Information Grid

Defense Management: Fully Developed Management Framework Needed to Guide Air Force Future Total Force Efforts

Energy Markets: Factors Contributing to Higher Gasoline Prices

Mandatory Spending: Using Budget Triggers to Constrain Growth

Nuclear Weapons: NNSA Needs to Refine and More Effectively Manage Its New Approach for Assessing and Certifying Nuclear Weapons

Veterans' Employment and Training Service: Greater Accountability and Other Labor Actions Needed to Better Serve Veterans

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Assessment of Health-Related Needs After Tsunami and Earthquake - Three Districts, Aceh Province, Indonesia, July-August 2005

Childhood Influenza Vaccination Coverage - United States, 2003-04 Influenza Season

Imported Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis - United States, 2005

Surveillance Guidelines for Smallpox Vaccine (vaccinia) Adverse Reactions

United Nations Documents:

The Afghanistan Compact

Definition of basic concepts and terminologies in governance and public administration

Implementation of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (with addendum)

The New Public Finance

Deficit Reduction Act

From the Washington Post: "The House yesterday narrowly approved a contentious budget-cutting package that would save nearly $40 billion over five years by imposing substantial changes on programs including Medicaid, welfare, child support and student lending."

The Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932) passed the House via House Resolution 653. View roll call vote 4 for details of the action.

Source: "Budget Cuts Pass By a Slim Margin: Poor, Elderly and Students to Feel Pinch." Washington Post February 2, 2006.

GAO Report on Accountability for Hurricane Response

From the New York Times: "No one from the federal government was clearly in charge of the response to Hurricane Katrina, Congressional investigators said Wednesday, and in the absence of clear leadership the general federal approach was 'to wait for affected states to request assistance.'

"In a preliminary report, the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, criticized Michael Chertoff, the homeland security secretary, for waiting until Tuesday, the day after the storm hit, to designate Hurricane Katrina an 'incident of national significance,' a status that more clearly put his department in charge."

The full report is available on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) website: "Statement by Comptroller General David M. Walker on GAO's Preliminary Observations Regarding Preparedness and Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

Sources: "Congressional investigators blame Bush, Chertoff for Katrina response." Missoulian February 2, 2006. A5.
"Investigators Criticize Response to Hurricane." New York Times February 2, 2006.

State of the Union Address 2006

You can find the transcript of the President's State of the Union address on the White House website. The State of the Union page also offers archived video of the address and links to further information on initiatives mentioned in the address:

"A Strong America Leading the World"

"American Competitiveness Initiative"

"The Advanced Energy Initiative"

"Affordable and Accessible Health Care"

You can also find transcripts of State of the Union addresses, archived video, and various responses to the speech on the C-SPAN State of the Union website.

Edit: The GPO Access page on State of the Union addresses has the text of addresses from 1992 through the present (including the 2006 address).

Source: "Bush promotes alternative energy sources: President also defends Iraq war in State of the Union address." Missoulian February 1, 2006. A1.