Podcasts - US Government

From usa.gov - Government Podcasts available

Podcasts from the U.S. Government
Official information and services from the U.S. government.
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries/Podcasts.shtml

Podcasting is a method of publishing and syndicating audio broadcasts through the Internet. Here are some of the current federal government podcasts available by subject:

Defense and International Relations
State Department Stories, Pentagon Channel, DoD Briefings, Air Force News...
Family, Home, and Community
Profile America, Barney Cam...
Health
Health care, research, patient safety...
History, Arts, and Culture
Black History Month, Holocaust Museum...
Public Safety and Law
Homeland security, drug control policy...
Reference and General Government
White House, courts, data and statistics...
Science and Technology
Space, weather, research labs...
Voting and Elections
Federal Election Commission meetings and hearings...

Tax Information

Kiplinger.com: Taxes
This compilation of articles addresses topics related to U.S. income taxes, such as tax filing, changes to tax laws, and tax breaks. Includes a withholding calculator and state tax profiles. From the website for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.
URL: http://www.kiplinger.com/money/taxes/

Emergency Services Revenue Increases

From the Census Department:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JAN. 26, 2007

Mike Bergman CB07-16
Public Information Office
301-763-3030/763-3762 (fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)

Emergency and Other Relief Services Revenue Increases
27 Percent in 2005, Census Bureau Reports

Emergency and other relief services firms saw revenue increase from $6.7 billion in 2004 to $8.5 billion in 2005 ¾ a 27 percent rise ¾ according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report, 2005 Service Annual Survey (SAS): Health Care and Social Assistance, shows revenue for firms with paid employees. Other 2004-2005 changes:

· Within the medical and diagnostic laboratories industry, revenue provided by government entities (excluding Medicare and Medicaid) rose from $180 million
to $227 million, a 26 percent increase.

· Revenue for continuing care retirement communities rose from $16.3 billion to
$18 billion, a 10 percent rise.

· Hospital revenue rose 7 percent from $569 billion to $611 billion.

· Revenue provided by worker’s compensation for chiropractors fell from
$812 million to $714 million, a 12 percent decrease.

-X-
Editor’s Note: The report can be accessed at http://www.census.gov/econ/www/servmenu.html

The estimates are from a newly selected sample for the 2005 SAS based on the 2002 NAICS and apply only to employer firms. Estimates contain sampling and nonsampling errors. To keep the identity of an individual firm confidential, some estimates may be suppressed. Users making their own estimates, based on the survey estimates, should cite the U.S. Census Bureau as the source of the original estimates only. See for measures of sampling variability and other survey information.

African American Voices in Congress

Here's a new Web site:

Avoice: African American Voices in Congress This site was "designed to capture and preserve the rich history of political and legislative contributions of blacks for future generations. This virtual online library is a central source of information about historical and contemporary African American policy issues." Features exhibits on the history of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and related topics. Developed by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
URL: http://www.avoiceonline.org/

Census Information

Here are two tools to help you answer the question "How did our area respond in Census 2000?"
The Tract Level Planning Database with Census 2000 Data is a database that assembles a range of housing, demographic, and socioeconomic variables that are correlated with mail nonresponse. The Tract Level Planning Database with Census 2000 Data is one of many resource tools to aid the many planning activities leading up to the 2010 Census.
Below are links to the tract-level planning database with Census 2000 data.
It includes the "hard to count scores" by census tract. It does not include the Census 2000 mail return rates (with characteristics).
http://www.census.gov/procur/www/2010communications/library.html
The mail response rates (participation rates) by tract can be found at:
http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/rates.html.
NOTE: Data users may need to link both databases. The 2 databases have different geographies. The Planning database is based on tabulation geography. The Mail Response/Participation rates database is based on collection geography.
Please contact your local State Data Center for assistance with Census Bureau data and programs. The data center addresses can be found at:
http://www.census.gov/sdc/www/

Library Subscriptions

SSO Tenants -
National Journal offers significant discounts to SSO tenants on all publications - including CongressDailyAM/PM, Hotline, and National Journal Magazine. If you are interested in subscribing please contact Marianne Reiff in the SSO Library at 624-5485 or e-mail at mreiff@sso.org.

THOMAS Beta Test

This is your chance to provide feedback to the Library of Congress about the THOMAS legislative web site.

THOMAS Beta Test

THOMAS is the primary website through which the U.S. Congress provides public access to legislative information. The site was established in 1994 and is managed by the Library of Congress for the Congress. THOMAS has gained new content and features -- and undergone the occasional facelift -- over the past 12 years. This month, January 2007, the folks at THOMAS rolled out a beta test of new THOMAS features at the URL http://thomas.loc.gov/beta/. While making no change in the core content, the beta presents some of the biggest search, display, and navigation changes to THOMAS in its history.
THOMAS Beta Test Homepage

Leadership Directory subscriptions

SSO Tenants - Would you like to start a subscription to the Federal or Congressional Leadership Directories? You can save $100.00 a year by subscribing through the SSO Library. If you are interested, contact Marianne Reiff at 624-5485, or e-mail at mreiff@sso.org for more information.

State of the Union Addresses - searchable database

Ask Sam is providing:

State of the Union Addresses of the American Presidents
Free Searchable Version
Search and analyze the the full-text of all State of the Union Addresses from 1790-2006. The State of the Union Address is an annual event in which the President of the United States reports on the status of the country. The address is also used to outline the President's legislative proposals for the upcoming year. The text is extremely useful in a searchable eBook.
This site provides a complete database of all State of the Union Addresses from 1790-2006 plus seperate databases containing the 2005 and 2006 divided by subject.You can browse these databases online or download them to your PC.

http://www.asksam.com/ebooks/StateOfTheUnion/

State Population Estimates

From the Census Department:

State Population Estimates: July 1, 2006 Internet tables showing July 1, 2006, population estimates and components of change for the nation, states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. These are the first state estimates to reflect the population movement resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
LOUISIANA lost almost 5 percent of its pre-Hurricane Katrina population during the course of the year. Louisiana's population totaled 4.3 million on July 1, 2006, down nearly 220,000 from one year earlier. During the previous one-year period (July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005), Louisiana?s population had grown by 12,000 to 4.5 million.
ARIZONA was the nation's fastest-growing state over the period, breaking Nevada's 19-year grip on the title, with its population rising 3.6 percent. Nevada ranked second this time, as its population climbed by 3.5 percent, followed by Idaho (2.6 percent), Georgia (2.6 percent) and Texas
(2.5 percent).
TEXAS gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006 (579,275). Florida and California followed, gaining 321,697 and 303,402, respectively. Rounding out the top five states were Georgia
(231,388) and Arizona (213,311).
CALIFORNIA remains the most populous state with a population of 36.5 million on July 1, 2006. Rounding out the top five states were Texas (23.5 million), New York (19.3 million), Florida (18.1 million) and Illinois
(12.8 million).
The WEST has replaced the south as the fastest-growing region with its population climbing by 1.5 percent. The South followed (1.4 percent), with the Midwest third (0.4 percent) and the Northeast fourth (0.1 percent).
For more information, visit <
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/007910.html

FirstGov name change to USA.gov

FirstGov has a name change - it is now USA.gov

New URL: http://www.usa.gov
From the site:
In January 2007, FirstGov.gov announced that it changed its name to USA.gov.
We did it because you asked us to. Feedback from the public told us that we need a name that is easier to understand and remember. We pay attention to our visitors and here's what we know:
Last year, more than 600,000 people typed "usa.gov" into their web browser when searching for government information.
In a 2006 telephone survey, 79 percent of respondents preferred the name USA.gov.
USA.gov is intuitive—it describes what our site is: the U.S. government online.
We regularly get e-mail from the public telling us that they don't like the name "FirstGov" and that we should change it. Our colleagues tell us the same message.
Spanish speakers responded positively to GobiernoUSA.gov as the new name for the Spanish-language portal. This name gives assurance that the user is on a government site.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced its subcommittee membership list during a Jan. 17 organizational meeting.
Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and ranking member John Mica (R-Fla.) serve as ex officio members on each of the six subcommittees.
Democratic members of the Aviation Subcommittee include:
Chairman Jerry F. Costello (Ill.), Bob Filner (Calif.), Leonard L. Boswell (Iowa), Rick Larsen (Wash.), Russ Carnahan (Miss.), John T. Salazar (Colo.), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), Nick Lampson (Texas), Zachary T. Space (Ohio), Bruce L. Braley (Iowa), Harry E. Mitchell (Ariz.), John J. Hall (N.Y.), Steve Kagen (Wis.), Steve Cohen (Tenn.), Nick J. Rahall (W.Va.), Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Corrine Brown (Fla.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.), Ellen O. Tauscher (Calif.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Michael E. Capuano (Mass.), Doris O. Matsui (Calif.), Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii).
Republican members of the Aviation Subcommittee include:
Ranking member Thomas E. Petri (Wis.), Howard Coble (N.C.), John J. Duncan (Tenn.), Vernon J. Ehlers (Mich.), Steven C. LaTourette (Ohio), Frank A. LoBiondo (N.J.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Robin Hayes (N.C.), Sam Graves (Mo.), John Boozman (Ariz.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Kenny Marchant (Texas), Charles W. Dent (Pa.), Ted Poe (Texas), David G. Reichert (Wash.), Connie Mack (Fla.), Randy Kuhl (N.Y.), Lynn A. Westmoreland (Ga.), Mary Fallin (Okla.), Vern Buchanan (Fla.).
Democratic members of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee include:
Chairman Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), Rick Larsen (Wash.), Corrine Brown (Fla.), Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Brian Baird (Wash.), Timothy H. Bishop (N.Y.).
Republican members of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee include:
Ranking member Steve LaTourette (Ohio), Don Young (Alaska), Howard Coble (N.C.), Wayne T. Gilchrest (Md.), Frank A. LoBiondo (N.J.), Ted Poe (Texas).
Democratic members of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee include:
Chairman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Michael H. Michaud (Maine), Jason Altmire (Pa.), Michael A. Arcuri (N.Y.), Christopher P. Carney (Pa.), Timothy J. Walz (Minn.), Steve Cohen (Tenn.).
Republican members of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee include:
Ranking member Sam Graves (Mo.), Bill Shuster (Pa.), Kenny Marchant (Texas), Charles W. Dent (Pa.), Randy Kuhl (N.Y.).
Democratic members of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee include:
Chairman Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.), Nick J. Rahall (W.Va.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.), Ellen O. Tauscher (Calif.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Michael E. Capuano (Mass.), Julia Carson (Ind.), Timothy H. Bishop (N.Y.), Michael H. Michaud (Maine), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Grace F. Napolitano (Calif.), Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii), Jason Altmire (Pa.), Timothy J. Walz (Minn.), Heath Shuler (N.C.), Michael A. Arcuri (N.Y.), Christopher P. Carney (Pa.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Bob Filner (Calif.), Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), Brian Baird (Wash.), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), Doris O. Matsui (Calif.), Steve Cohen (Tenn.), Zachary T. Space (Ohio), Bruce L. Braley (Iowa), Harry E. Mitchell (Ariz.).
Republican members of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee include:
Ranking member John J. Duncan (Tenn.), Don Young (Alaska), Thomas E. Petri (Wis.), Howard Coble (N.C.), Richard H. Baker (La.), Gary G. Miller (Calif.), Robin Hayes (N.C.), Henry E. Brown (S.C.), Timothy V. Johnson (Ill.), Todd Russell Platts (Pa.), John Boozman (Ark.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Kenny Marchant (Texas), Charles W. Dent (Pa.), Ted Poe (Texas), David G. Reichert (Wash.), Charles W. Boustany (La.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio), Candice S. Miller (Mich.), Thelma D. Drake (Va.), Mary Fallin (Okla.), Vern Buchanan (Fla.).
Democratic members of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee include:
Chairman Corrine Brown (Fla.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Leonard L. Boswell (Iowa), Julia Carson (Ind.), Grace F. Napolitano (Calif.), Nick Lampson (Texas), Zachary T. Space (Ohio), Bruce L. Braley (Iowa), Timothy J. Walz (Minn.), Nick J. Rahall (W.Va.), Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.), Jerry F. Costello (Ill.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), Michael H. Michaud (Maine), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.).
Republican members of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee include:
Ranking member Bill Shuster (Pa.), Thomas E. Petri (Wis.), Wayne T. Gilchrest (Md.), Steven C. LaTourette (Ohio), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Gary G. Miller (Calif.), Henry Brown (S.C.), Timothy V. Johnson (Ill.), Todd Russell Platts (Pa.), Sam Graves (Mo.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Lynn A. Westmoreland (Ga.).
Democratic members of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee include:
Chairman Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Gene Taylor (Miss.), Brian Baird (Wash.), Doris O. Matsui (Calif.), Jerry F. Costello (Ill.), Timothy H. Bishop (N.Y.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Russ Carnahan (Mo.), John T. Salazar (Colo.), Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii), Heath Shuler (N.C.), Harry E. Mitchell (Ariz.), John J. Hall (N.Y.), Steve Kagen (Wis.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Bob Filner (Calif.), Ellen O. Tauscher (Calif.), Michael E. Capuano (Mass.), Grace F. Napolitano (Calif.), Michael A. Arcuri (N.Y.)
Republican members of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee include:
Ranking member Richard H. Baker (La.), John J. Duncan (Tenn.), Wayne T. Gilchrest (Md.), Vernon J. Ehlers (Mich.), Frank A. LoBiondo (N.J.), Gary G. Miller (Calif.), Robin Hayes (N.C.), Henry E. Brown (S.C.), Todd Russell Platts (Pa.), Bill Shuster (Pa.), John Boozman (Ark.), Connie Mack (Fla.), Randy Kuhl (N.Y.), Charles W. Boustany (La.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio), Candice S. Miller (Mich.), Thelma D. Drake (Va.).

GAO Report - Hospital Accreditation

The Government Accountability Office released the following report: Hospital Accreditation: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' Relationship with Its Affiliate (GAO-07-79).
GAO products are available at http://www.gao.gov

Health, United States, 2006

Health, United States, 2006 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans -
Now available at:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm

Track State Legislative Bills

A free Denver-based web site - http://www.lgdb.com/ - is set to be fully operational this month. It will search pending state legislation.

Legislative Information

Here is the best Web site for Congressional information - Thomas - sponsored by the Library of Congress

http://thomas.loc.gov