Senate Confirms Alito

From the Washington Post: "Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. became the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, confirmed with the most partisan victory in modern history after a fierce battle over the future direction of the high court."

Yesterday the Senate voted 72-25 to close debate on Alito's nomination and bring the matter to a final vote (a "Cloture Motion"). Today, the Senate voted 58-42 to confirm Judge Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Source: "Senate Confirms Alito to Supreme Court." Washington Post January 31, 2006.

New FirstGov.gov Search Engine

From GovExec.com: "The General Services Administration launched a beefed-up online search engine late Monday night, calling the tool for government Web site-querying the most powerful of its kind...

"The search engine expands FirstGov's hunting capabilities to include state, local, tribal and territorial government Web sites, and will look through 40 million documents, up from the previous 8 million."

The new FirstGov.gov search engine (FirstGov Search) features Vivisimo's Clusty technology, which clusters search results by type. You can look at results by topic, agency, or source and expand or collapse result subgroups. The search engine gives you more control over the structure of your search results. Give it a try!

Source: "GSA launches upgraded FirstGov search engine." GovExec.com. January 24, 2006.

CBO Report on Deficit Reduction Act

From the New York Times: "Millions of low-income people would have to pay more for health care under a bill worked out by Congress, and some of them would forgo care or drop out of Medicaid because of the higher co-payments and premiums, the Congressional Budget Office says in a new report."

You can find details in the full Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report: "S. 1932, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005."

Source: "Budget to Hurt Poor People on Medicaid, Report Says." New York Times January 30, 2006.

Report on Agency Activities with Tribal Nations and Populations

This year, for the first time, the Tribal Relations Report is being prepared and submitted to the Governor and the Tribal Governments as one document, highlighting the major accomplishments or activities of individual agencies. It provides a single source for anyone to look at activities involving any tribe or agency.

From the report:
Section 2-15-143, MCA, was passed during the 2003 legislative session to emphasize the unique relationship between the Montana Indian Nations and the State of Montana. It supports the idea that sovereign tribal governments and the state can effectively work together with honor and trust on matters of concern to both. This report, required each year, measures how well the State of Montana met that challenge.

Report Appendices can be accessed here.

Also from the report:
The Governor’s first Executive Order created a task force, now known as the Governor’s American Indian Nations (GAIN) Council, with the primary purpose to ensure that all activities conducted between the Nations and the State of Montana are conducted government-to-government. In addition, GAIN is responsible to ensure proper protocol is followed with the Tribal Nations. Administratively, GAIN coordinates and reviews state agreements and activities with tribes to ensure consistent principles are followed and meaningful tribal consultation has occurred.

GAIN consists of the highest level of the Schweitzer Administration including the Chief of Staff, Budget Director, policy staff and department directors. The Indian Affairs Coordinator assists to ensure proper protocol is followed and to provide cultural competency training when appropriate.

Friday Resource Round-Up

2005 Monthly Tourism Statistics
Data from International Trade Administration (ITA) Office of Travel & Tourism Industries.

Access to and Participation in Employer-Provided Health Care Plans, Private Industry, 2005
A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report.

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774-2005
The Government Printing Office has released the The 16th edition of a classic reference tool which offers biographical information on members of Congress.

Cattle Inventory Report
New data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Deaths: Final Data for 2003
New data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams
A presentation from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Education Statistics Quarterly
The most recent issue of this serial is now available.

Fire and the Older Adult
A report from the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center.

Freight Rail Transportation: Long-Term Issues
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report.

Human Factors Considerations for Passwords and Other User Identification Techniques
A report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Internal Controls Over the Emergency Disaster Relief Transportation Services Contract
An assessment from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.

The Legal Significance of Presidential Signing Statements
This 1993 Department of Justice document has gained new prominence in light of recent controversial signing statements from President Bush.

Management of Rapid Regional Response Program Contracts in South-Central Iraq
A report of Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.

Medicare Payments for Ambulance Transports
A report from the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Mineral Commodity Summaries 2006
A report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

National Infrastructure Protection Plan
Version 2.0 of the plan has been released by the Department of Homeland Security. The text, originally issued via email, has been posted by the National Infrastructure Institute (NI2) Center for Infrastructure Expertise.

Natural Gas Processing: The Crucial Link between Natural Gas Production and Its Transportation to Market
An Energy Information Administration (EIA) report.

Redacting with Confidence: How to Safely Publish Sanitized Reports Converted From Word to PDF
A report from the National Security Agency (posted by the Federation of American Scientists).

Registry of U.S. Government Publication Digitization Projects
A new database of digitization projects has been created by the Government Printing Office (GPO).

Research Publications 2005
A bibliography of publications from the Small Business Administration's Office of Economic Research.

Sheep and Goats
Inventory data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

State of the Union Addresses
of the American Presidents
A searchable database from askSam.

U.S. Government Printing Office 2005 Annual Report
Report on GPO's activities in 2005.

Women-Owned Firms: 2002
A Census Bureau report from the 2002 Economic Census Survey of Business Owners series.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Banking and Securities Regulation and Agency Enforcement Authorities

Congressional Gifts and Travel: Legislative Proposals for the 109th Congress

Congressional Oversight

Constitutionality of Proposals to Prohibit the Sale or Rental to Minors of Video Games with Violent or Sexual Content or "Strong Language"

Education-Related Hurricane Relief: Legislative Action

The Internal Revenue Service's Use of Private Debt Collection Agencies: Current Status and Issues for Congress

Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis

Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals

The Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations

USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Legal Analysis of the Conference Bill

Economic Research Service (ERS) Reports:

Agricultural Contracting Update: Contracts in 2003

Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program: Final Report Fiscal 2005 Activities

Food Security Status File: Survey of Program Dynamics

Sugar and Sweeteners

Federal Reserve Board Publications:

The Beige Book

Escaping the Samaritan's Dilemma: Implications of a Dynamic Model of Altruistic Intergenerational Transfers

Post Brown vs. the Board of Education: The Effects of the End of Court-Ordered Desegregation

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Drinking Water: EPA Should Strengthen Ongoing Efforts to Ensure That Consumers Are Protected from Lead Contamination

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Challenges for the National Flood Insurance Program

Homeland Security: Visitor and Immigrant Status Program Operating, but Management Improvements Are Still Needed

Internet Access Tax Moratorium: Revenue Impacts Will Vary by State

Mine Safety: MSHA's Programs for Ensuring the Safety and Health of Coal Miners Could Be Strengthened

NASA: Implementing a Knowledge-Based Acquisition Framework Could Lead to Better Investment Decisions and Project Outcomes

Social Security Numbers: Stronger Protections Needed When Contractors Have Access to SSNs

Strategic Studies Institute Reports:

Assessing the Biological Weapons and Bioterrorism Threat

Revisions in Need of Revising: What Went Wrong in the Iraq War

United Nations Documents:

2005 Update on the HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Response in China

Security Council 2005 Round-up

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2006

Budget Deficit Projection

From the Washington Post: "The CBO forecast a $337 billion deficit for this fiscal year and lingering deficits through the end of the decade, offering a pessimistic backdrop as Bush prepares to release his 2007 budget request in the coming weeks. The deficit fell to $318 billion last year after three years of sharp increases, and Republicans had hoped the tide of red ink was finally receding. But spending on hurricane relief will push the deficit back up in 2006."

"The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2007 to 2016" (196 pages) is available from the Congressional Budget Office website. A six-page summary is also available.

Sources: "Congressional estimators project $337 billion budget deficit." Missoulian January 27, 2006. A4.
"Budget Office Expects Deficit to Edge Up." Washington Post January 27, 2006.

Forest Service Reservations

From the Missoulian: "Beginning Feb. 2, the Forest Service will use a new phone and online reservation system for rental cabins, lookout towers, and group-use areas throughout the country, including all national forests in Montana."

You can find information on the new system on the ReserveUSA.com website.

Source: "Forest Service using new reservation system." Missoulian January 27, 2006. E4.

BSE Case in Alberta

From the Government of Alberta press release: "Canada’s fourth case of BSE has been confirmed in an animal from an Alberta farm. No part of the animal entered either the human or animal feed chain, and there is no threat to human health from this case.

"The disease was found in a six-year-old cross-bred cow. While this cow was born after the 1997 ban on feeding rendered carcasses of ruminants (such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer and elk) to other ruminants, it is likely that contaminated feed caused the infection. Ruminant-to-ruminant feed is the main way BSE is spread in cattle."

Information on the most recent case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) BSE in North America page.

Statements from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford are also available.

Sources: "Canadian officials confirm case of mad cow disease." Helena Independent Record January 23, 2006.
"BSE finding in Canada draws mixed response." Billings Gazette January 24, 2006.

Krepinevich Report

From the Missoulian: "Stretched by frequent troop rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army has become a 'thin green line' that could snap unless relief comes soon, according to a study for the Pentagon."

The recent article referenced in the news has not yet been released to the public, but other articles by Andrew F. Krepinevich appear on the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments website.

Another paper on the U.S. military has been issued by the The National Security Advisory Group and posted on the Senate Democrats website: "The U.S. Military: Under Strain and at Risk."

Statements by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld are available on the DefenseLink website. The site also has an article from the American Forces Press Service on the issue.

Sources: "Repeated war deployment stretch Army to breaking point, study says." Missoulian January 25, 2006. A4.
"Rumsfeld: Military not overextended but 'battle hardened'." Missoulian January 26, 2006. A4.

Justice Department Paper on NSA Intercepts

From the New York Times: "The Bush administration offered its fullest defense to date Thursday of the National Security Agency's domestic eavesdropping program, saying that authorization from Congress to deter terrorist attacks 'places the president at the zenith of his powers in authorizing the N.S.A. activities.'

"In a 42-page legal analysis, the Justice Department cited the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, the writings of presidents both Republican and Democratic, and dozens of scholarly papers and court cases in justifying President Bush's power to order the N.S.A. surveillance program."

The Government Printing Office has posted the Department of Justice whitepaper on the issue of NSA
intercepts on the GPO Access website: Legal Authorities Supporting the Activities of the National Security Agency Described by the President.

Source: "Legal Rationale by Justice Dept. on Spying Effort." New York Times January 20, 2006.

American Indian Student Achievement in Montana Public Schools

From the Missoulian: "Montana's achievement gap between Indian and white students is greater if the Indian student lives in a poor, isolated reservation community rather than in an integrated and prosperous community, a recent study by the Montana Legislature's Office of Research and Policy Analysis concludes."

You can find a copy of the report on the Quality Schools Committee webpage: "American Indian Student Achievement in Montana Public Schools: Features of the Achievement Gap and Policy Prescriptions."

Source: "Study finds isolated students fall behind." Missoulian January 23, 2006. A1.

Friday Resource Round-Up

Avian and Human Influenza: Financing Needs and Gaps
A World Bank publication.

Draft Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters
An EPA document.

National Taxpayer Advocate's 2005 Annual Report to Congress
An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) report.

Oversight of Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery: A 90-Day Progress Report to Congress
A joint publication of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency and the Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency.

Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision: Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age
A vision statement from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.

Significant Worldwide Earthquakes in 2005
Information from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Army Documents:
DocuTicker has posted an excellent collection of Army-related documents this week.

How the Army Runs

A Hundred Osamas: Islamist Threats and the Future of Counterinsurgency (Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College)

Occupations, Cultures, and Leadership in the Army and Air Force

"Seeing the Other Side of the Hill": The Art of Battle Command, Decisionmaking, Uncertainty, and the Information Superiority Complex

Transformation for What (Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College)

U.S. Army Corrections System: Procedures for Military Executions (via the Federation of American Scientists)

Census Bureau Reports:

Business Expenses: 2002

Market Absorption of Apartments: Second Quarter 2005 Absorptions

Committee on Government Reform, Minority Staff Reports:

Congressional Oversight of the Bush Administration

Congressional Oversight of the Clinton Administration

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Comparison of 9/11 Commission Recommended Intelligence Reforms, Roberts Draft Bill, H.R. 4104, S. 190, S. 1520, S. 6, H.R. 4584, and Current Law

Mentoring Programs Funded by the Federal Government Dedicated to Disadvantaged Youth: Issues and Activities

A Review of Medical Child Support: Background, Policy, and Issues

Statutory Procedures Under Which Congress Is To Be Informed of U.S. Intelligence Activities, Including Covert Actions

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Combating Terrorism: Determining and Reporting Federal Funding Data

Hazardous Waste: EPA Needs to Clarify the Types of Mercury Waste That Can Be Treated and Disposed of Using the Debris Regulations

Nursing Homes: Despite Increased Oversight, Challenges Remain in Ensuring High-Quality Care and Resident Safety

Risk Management: Further Refinements Needed to Assess Risks and Prioritize Protective Measures at Ports and Other Critical Infrastructure

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Assessment of Health-Related Needs After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 17-22, 2005

Health Concerns Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged Homes After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 2005

Public Health Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - Louisiana, 2005

Surveillance in Hurricane Evacuation Centers - Louisiana, September-October 2005

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Reports:

Education Statistics Quarterly-Vol. 7 Issues 1&2

Public Elementary and Secondary Students, Staff, Schools, and School Districts: School Year 2003-04

United Nations Documents:

Workers Initiative for a Lasting Legacy (WILL 2006)

The World's Women 2005: Progress in Statistics

Eavesdropping Lawsuits

From the New York Times: "Two leading civil rights groups plan to file lawsuits Tuesday against the Bush administration over its domestic spying program to determine whether the operation was used to monitor 10 defense lawyers, journalists, scholars, political activists and other Americans with ties to the Middle East.

"The two lawsuits, which are being filed separately by the American Civil Liberties Union in Federal District Court in Detroit and the Center for Constitutional Rights in Federal District Court in Manhattan, are the first major court challenges to the eavesdropping program."

Information on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit is available on the ACLU website. The official complaint is available online.

The Center for Constitutional Rights also has information on their lawsuit online, including a digital version of the formal complaint.

Others posts related to this issue appeared on January 8, 2006, and December 19, 2005.

Sources: "Lawsuits seek ban on eavesdropping: Groups say program bypasses 1978 law." Missoulian January 18, 2006. A7.
"Two Groups Planning to Sue Over Federal Eavesdropping." New York Times January 17, 2006.

Lobbying Reform Proposals

Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert (R-IL), presented a lobbying reform proposal at a press conference yesterday (thanks to Red Tape for the link).

Today, the Democrats in Congress issued information on the forthcoming "Open Government Act." A formal declaration and a press release are also available.

Sources: "Two Parties Rush to Offer Proposals to Curb Lobbying." New York Times January 18, 2006.
"Democrats Unveil Their Own Plan for Rules on Lobbying." New York Times January 18, 2006.

Montana Heart Disease and Stroke State Plan 2006-2010

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recently released the Montana Heart Disease and Stroke State Plan 2006-2010. The plan "outlines goals, objectives, and specific strategies that can realistically be achieved within a five-year period to improve the health of Montanans".

From the Department's press release: "Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death of Montanans. The state plan is the culmination of a 15-month planning process involving the state's Cardiovascular Disease/ Obesity Prevention Task Force. It includes population-based objectives and strategies for use within health-care, community, and worksite settings. "

Copies of the report can also be found at the following libraries throughout Montana:
Montana State Library - Helena
Montana Historical Society - Helena
Mansfield Library, University of Montana - Missoula
Renne Library, Montana State University - Bozeman
Rosebud County Library - Forsyth
MSU Northern Library - Havre
Lincoln County Public Library - Libby
Missoula Public Library - Missoula

NorthWestern Energy's Electric Plan

From the Missoulian: "While residential customers of NorthWestern Energy already are paying among the highest electric rates in the region, a company power-buying plan warns that rates likely will increase more in the future.

"The plan, filed late last month with the state Public Service Commission, is a blueprint of how NorthWestern hopes to line up enough electricity to serve its 310,000 Montana customers in the short and long term."

The Electric Default Supply Resource Procurement Plan is available on Montana Energy Forum, a NorthWestern Energy website.

Information on Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) activities is available on the Montana PSC site.

Source: "NorthWestern electric plan warns rate increases likely." Missoulian January 15, 2006. A1.

Gonzales v. Oregon

From the New York Times: "The Supreme Court upheld Oregon's assisted-suicide law today, declaring that the Bush administration had exceeded its authority in trying to undo the statute by punishing doctors who help people end their lives." Documents relating to the case are below.

Gonzales v. Oregon
Docket 04-623

Supreme Court opinion

Question presented

Merits briefs

Transcript of oral arguments

Appellate Court Decision (and summary)

State of Oregon page on physician-assisted suicide

Controlled Substances Act (included in the U.S. Code as Title 21, Chapter 13)

21 CFR 1306.04 (regulation on purpose of a prescription)

Source: "Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Assisted Suicide Law." New York Times January 17, 2006.

Friday Resource Round-Up

Crop Production Summary
An end of year summary from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Estimative Products on Vietnam: 1948-1975
Newly declassified national intelligence information from the Vietnam War era.

GDA Report: Public-Private Alliances for Transformational Development
A U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) report.

The Long-Term Implications of Current Defense Plans and Alternatives: Detailed Update for Fiscal Year 2006
A presentation from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Nonfatal, Unintentional Medication Exposures Among Young Children - United States, 2001-2003
An article from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

OPEC Revenues Fact Sheet
An overview of OPEC revenues and prices from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Click on the links for the full report in the right-hand column of the EIA site.

Report to Congress on the Benefits of the President's E-Government Initiatives
An Office of Management and Budget (OMB) report.

Review of the Transportation Security Administration’s Management Controls Over the Screener Recruitment Program
An audit from the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.

Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D): An NIMH Study to Guide Treatment Choices for Resistant Depression
A National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) report.

Tracking the Dragon: Selected National Intelligence Estimates on China, 1948-1976
Recently released documents from the CIA.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Employment and Wages, Annual Averages 2004

Is Job Enrichment Really Enriching?

Monthly Labor Review

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Accounting Problems at Fannie Mae

Authorization For Use Of Military Force in Response to the 9/11 Attacks (P.L. 107-40): Legislative History

Cleanup after Hurricane Katrina: Environmental Considerations

Constitutionality of Requiring Sexually Explicit Material on the Internet to be Under a Separate Domain Name

Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2005

Federal Spending by Agency and Budget Function, FY2001-FY2005

Immigration: Selected Opinions of Judge Samuel Alito

Marine Security of Hazardous Chemical Cargo

Reimbursement of Local Private Nonprofit Organizations Under the Stafford Act

Status of a Member of the House Who Has Been Indicted for or Convicted of a Felony

Supreme Court Nominations, 1789 - 2005: Actions by the Senate, the Judiciary Committee, and the President

U.S. and International Responses to the Global Spread of Avian Flu: Issues for Congress

U.S. Assistance to Women in Afghanistan and Iraq: Challenges and Issues for Congress

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel

Venue: A Legal Analysis of Where a Federal Crime May Be Tried

Wireless Privacy and Spam: Issues for Congress

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Public Service Announcement Campaigns: Activities and Financial Obligations for Seven Federal Departments

VA Long-Term Care: Trends and Planning Challenges in Providing Nursing Home Care to Veterans

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Reports:

Parents' Reports of School Practices to Provide Information to Families: 1996 and 2003

Teacher Professional Development in 1999-2000: What Teachers, Principals, and District Staff Report

United Nations Documents:

Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council: 1 August 2004 - 31 July 2005

The Songhua River Spill China, December 2005: Field Mission Report

Idaho Wolf Management

From the Helena Independent Record: "Idaho wants to kill as many as 51 wolves in the north-central part of the state, according to a plan that state Department of Fish and Game managers say will help boost the region's elk herds.

"The killings would take place on the state's mountainous border with Montana, near State Highway 12. Biologists estimate there are between 43 and 69 wolves there, but too few elk for hunters.

The plan is to initially kill 75 percent of the area's wolves."

On January 5, 2006, Idaho Fish and Game assumed primary responsibility for wolf management in the state of Idaho. The memorandum of understanding for this transfer and other wolf management documents are available on the Idaho Fish and Game's Wolf Management webpage.

Source: "Idaho wants to kill more than 50 wolves to help elk." Helena Independent Record January 12, 2006.

Change of Venue Request Denied

From the Missoulian: "A federal court judge denied a motion Wednesday that would have moved a criminal trial against W.R. Grace and Co. outside of Montana, where the company's Libby mine released deadly asbestos into the air."

The order denying the change of venue request is available in six parts on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana website:

First part of the order

Attachment 1

Attachment 2

Attachment 3 (Appendix A)

Attachment 4 (Appendix B)

Attachment 5 (Appendix C)

Many more documents relating to the case are available on the court website.

Source: "Judge won't move W.R. Grace trial." Missoulian January 12, 2006. A1.