Tuesday, August 26, 2008

2008 FARM BILL SIDE-BY-SIDE The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which governs Federal farm programs for 2008-12, was enacted into law in July 2008. ERS’ side-by-side comparison of this new Farm Act with previous legislation is now available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/FarmBill/2008/. Summarized but substantive, this comparison is a time-saving reference on farm bill provisions. In addition to key provisions and details by Title, the side-by-side includes links to related ERS publications and to analyses of previous farm acts. New features include a user's guide, an A-Z list of major provisions, and a search function. Released Friday, August 22, 2008You may browse or search by topic. You'll get a table with the provisions under the previous Farm Bill, and then the provisions under the current farm bill. Below are some examples. (A search for the National Agricultural Library did not yield anything!)Examples:Grants to Reduce Methamphetamine ProductionPrevious Legislation No similar provision.2008 Farm Bill Establishes agricultural producers, cooperatives, and chemical retailers as eligible for $40-$60 grants to install locks on anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks or to add a substance that reduces methamphetamine production efficacy.Pollinator ResearchPrevious Legislation No similar provision.2008 Farm Bill Authorizes annual appropriations of $10 million in research and extension grants for honey bees and other pollinators for FY 2008-12. Activities supported include:
data collection on bee colony production and health, and investigation of pollinator biology
research on factors that contribute to colony collapse disorder, including parasites and pathogens
development of mitigative and preventive measures for pollinator health
habitat conservation and best management practices
Authorizes annual appropriations of $7.25 million for FY 2008-12 for capacity and infrastructure spending to hire personnel and conduct research on pollinator issues at USDA facilities, subject to appropriations.
Authorizes annual appropriations of $2.75 million for honey bee pest and pathogen surveillance in FY 2008-12.
Requires Secretary to submit annual report to Congress on colony collapse disorder describing progress on research and strategies for reducing colony loss. Strategies include efforts supported under the Conservation Title in this Act. (See Title II, Encouragement of Pollinator Habitat Development and Protection.)
Bioenergy ResearchPrevious Legislation Sun Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003 established Research, Extension, and Educational Programs on Biobased Energy Technologies and Products. No funds were appropriated in FY 2004 and FY 2006. However, legislation authorized appropriations of $25 million in FY 2005, $50 million in FY 2006, and $75 million annually in FY 2007-10. 2008 Farm Bill Revises Sun Grant Research Initiative; authorizes grants to 5 regionally based Sun Grant Centers and 1 subcenter intended to:
develop, distribute, and implement biobased technologies
promote diversification and environmental sustainability through biobased energy and product technologies
promote diversification of rural areas through biobased energy
enhance efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development through collaborations among USDA, Department of Energy (DOE), and land grant universities
Directs centers to award 75% of funds to multi-institution and multistate research, extension, and education programs via competitive process:
30% of these funds to be used for technology development
30% of funds are for integrated programs for technology implementation
20% of project costs must be matched by non-Federal source, though this requirement can be waived
limits administrative overhead costs of centers to 4%, portion of which is used to coordinate plan for addressing bioenergy, biomass, and gasification priorities of USDA and DOE, and coordinated gasification research with land grant universities
remaining funds to be retained by centers to conduct research, extension, and education programs for technology development and implementation
Grant Information Analysis Center will support regional centers and produce annual report. Authorizes $75 million annually for FY 2008-12.
Hi Amy and Valerie,
(note: I am neither a dem nor a repub and this is not a flame :-) ) I would have to respectfully disagree with your analysis. It is clear that McCain will continue Bush policies on secrecy, net neutrality, and the hyper-corporatization of the entire spectrum at the expense of things like low power FM (LPFM). It's only natural since one of McCain's chief technology advisors (and drafter of his technology
position) is former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, who vigorously worked toward selling off large swaths of spectrum to large corporations and toward changing media rules to allow for large media companies to completely take over media markets at the expense of local voices.
Their stances on "sunshine" and network neutrality are night and day and Obama's got more interesting ideas like "open source government"
and having a chief technology officer (CTO). those are just a few of the issues in which they differ and which will have a huge effect on access to govt info (and libraries in general).
lessig has a fine video regarding the presidential candidates technology policies. Granted Lessig is pro-Obama and states that at the outset, but I think he makes some good points about where the US is at in terms of technology infrastracture and where each of the candidates will take the country.
http://lessig.org/blog/2008/08/me_on_mccain_on_technology.html
On the surface, the two candidates' technology policies may be similar, but looking beyond those policy statements to take into account the candidates' advisors and their past legislative stances shows that the two candidates are at completely different ends of the policy spectrum.
Regards,
James Jacobs
International Documents Librarian
Stanford University
jrjacobs@stanford.edu

Monday, August 25, 2008

Now that both presidential candidates have gone on record with campaign positions on access to government information, we were struck by the similarity in their stated technology positions. The biggest difference that we could see is in their positions on transparency - Obama's statements appear more sunshine-friendly. Below is a summary of relevant points. Complete policies are at
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/cbcd3a48-4b0e-4864-8be1-d0456
1c132ea.htm
<http://mail.lib.ua.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.johnmccain.
com/Informing/Issues/cbcd3a48-4b0e-4864-8be1-d04561c132ea.htm> and
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/cb15a056-ac87-485d-a64d-82989
bdc948c.htm

(McCain) and http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/
<http://mail.lib.ua.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.barackobama
.com/issues/technology/> and http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/
(Obama).
Valerie Glenn & Amy West
Universal Service
-McCain: federal support for locally built broadband access (whether public, private or mixed) as well as incentives for private companies'
extension into rural areas, auction wireless spectrum for private company expansion of broadband access to rural areas
-Obama: encourage Universal Service reform, public/private partnerships, "unleash" wireless spectrum for private company expansion of broadband access to rural areas (possibly meaning to auction spectrum)
Network Neutrality
Network Neutrality is the unprioritized transmission of content across the Internet. Because many content providers are also service providers, there exists a potential conflict over whose content gets priority in transmission. The major players in this debate are gigantic companies with massive revenue streams, e.g. Google and Comcast.
Currently, network neutrality is in place. Content/Service providers would like to be able to charge content-only providers fees to guarantee equivalent transmission of content. Content-only providers would like FCC regulations prohibiting such fees. Questions for universal service and government information: if network neutrality ended, how likely would it be that content/service providers would provide equivalent transmission to _non_-commercial content? Further, how likely is it that content-only providers would advocate for equivalent transmission of non-commercial content when they themselves have to pay for similar treatment?
-McCain: "John McCain does not believe in prescriptive regulation like "net-neutrality," but rather he believes that an open marketplace with a variety of consumer choices is the best deterrent against unfair practices."
-Obama: "Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet."
Government Information Online
-McCain: more information online; more business conducted electronically, more use of rich media, creation of Office of Electronic Government
-Obama: enforce universally accessible data formats, more business conducted electronically, more use of rich media, more use of participatory software to encourage citizen participation, creation of a Chief Technology Officer."
Sunshine
-McCain: greater transparency re: lobbyists, campaign funds, earmarks
-Obama: greater transparency re: lobbyists, campaign funds, earmarks, contractors; five-day public comment period (on the White House web
site) before signing any non-emergency bill; more timely release of Presidential records

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Robyn Rassuchine and Liza Printz smile for "The Gov Doc" in the young people's area of the Downtown Reno Library.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSION VOTES TO PUT CITIZEN INITIATIVE REGARDING WATER RESOURCES FOR PLANNING ON 2008 ELECTION BALLOT


Reno, Nevada. August 19, 2008. At their meeting today, the County Commission unanimously voted to place the issue of identified and sustainable water resources for planning purposes on the 2008 Election Ballot. In making their decision, all Commissioners cited that an issue of this magnitude should be put before a vote of the people.

Additionally, County Commissioners declined to introduce an ordinance initiated through a citizens petition providing that, “The Truckee Meadows Regional Plan shall be amended to reflect and to include a policy or policies requiring that local government land use plans be based upon and in balance with identified and sustainable water resources available within Washoe County,” based on the legal analysis and advice of the District Attorney’s Civil Division.

Legal counsel cited the case of Horne v. City of Mesquite where the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the citizen initiatives were invalid because they exceeded the limits of existing laws that applied to the city believing that the same case would exist in this instance, as well as concerns raised about meeting time requirements. By state law, if the County Commission fails to adopt the certified citizen initiative as an ordinance then it must appear as a proposed ordinance question to the registered voters.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

From Bernadine Abbott Hoduski, 312 N. Howie, Apt 1, Helena, Mt ber@initco.net
See reference to the Bureau of Reclamation library below.
From: "Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)"
Sent: Aug 18, 2008 8:08 AM
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Reclamation Jettisoning Environmental Functions

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 18, 2008
Contact: Carol Goldberg (202) 265-7337
RECLAMATION JETTISONING ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONS
Lame Duck Reorganization Cutting Green Jobs to Promote Outsourcing
Washington, DC - The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is rapidly downsizing its environmental capabilities by forcing scores of Denver-based specialists to go into retirement under threat of layoff, according to documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). This massive lame duck restructuring will force the next administration to contract for the eliminated functions.
Reclamation manages millions of acre feet of water, primarily with dams and reservoirs, in 17 Western states. Job reductions are concentrated in its Technical Services Center (TSC) in Denver where nearly one-third of the 500 jobs are now or will soon be eliminated. Among the services being cut are -
a.. Drinking Water Protection. The Expeditionary Unit Water Purification program creates potable water following disasters, such as the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, but has lost key staff;
b.. Scientists, Laboratories and Library. The Center's world renowned library and laboratories are being drained of all employees. In addition, the ax is falling heavily on science positions, such as hydrologists, soil scientists and seismologists; and
c.. Environmental Studies. Reclamation is rapidly discarding both its capacity to assess environmental effects of its water projects and its ability to analyze impacts on recreation, historical and cultural resources, as well as the social and economic consequences of its actions.
"Reclamation is taking a wrecking ball to its own workforce," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, whose organization is distributing employee petitions to Congress asking for intervention to stop the removals. "At this rate, Reclamation will not have enough expertise left to tie its own shoes."
In a chart since removed from the Reclamation website, a "Vision TSC Staff Attrition" shows plans to cut the Center workforce nearly in half by year's end. Earlier this year, Reclamation managers targeted selected TSC employees for early retirement; an estimated 100 staff took the buyouts. Currently, another 65 employees are being targeted for new "offers" of outplacements coupled with threats of removal.
As a rationale for its personnel moves, Reclamation points to its "management for excellence (M4E)" initiative, which appears to be a thinly disguised effort to force reliance on private consultants. This expensive initiative also appears to violate congressional bans on using funds to promote outsourcing. No explanation has been given to staff why certain people are selected and others spared or what state of "excellence" will be achieved by the ME4 exercise.
"This initiative will tie the hands of the next administration and should be halted immediately," Ruch added, noting that the managers pushing the plan will soon be gone. "Reclamation already has a hyper-active revolving door for its managers, including a special side door for coming back as consultants."
Adding insult to injury, this past Friday August 15, Reclamation Commissioner Robert Johnson came to Denver to celebrate "Employee Appreciation Day," but the only relief afforded the TSC staff was a guest speaker, the "Healthy Humorist" (Dr. Brad Nieder) to deliver his message that "Laughter is the Best Medicine."
The Vanderbilt University 2008 Election page now has a tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/62xdwy

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

FREE LEGAL SEMINAR: “A General Overview of Social Security and disability claims”, August 28, 2008, 5:00 PM, AT WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY

Reno, Nevada. August 12, 2008. The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “A General Overview of Social Security and disability claims”, August 28, 2008 on Thursday, August 28th, 2008. John Boyden, Esq. will present the seminar. The seminars are held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Law Library, located at 75 Court Street. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at (775) 328-3250. The presentation is part of an ongoing series of free monthly community service seminars for the public.
FIRST WEST NILE POSITIVE MOSQUITOES FOUND IN WASHOE COUNTY

Testing of pools of mosquitoes trapped at Damonte Ranch, have shown that West Nile Virus (WNV) has found its way to Washoe County this summer. Other locations in Nevada have also seen the appearance of the virus, and the Washoe District Health Department is urging residents of our county to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.
“Practicing preventive measures to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes is the best way to prevent humans from contracting the virus, stated Mary Anderson, MD, MPH, District Health Officer. Remember to use mosquito repellent containing either DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, be aware that mosquitoes are most active during dusk and dawn, remove standing water from around your house and check to make sure the screens on your windows and doors fit properly.”
West Nile Virus most often is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes are WNV carriers, also known as vectors. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to birds, horses, humans and other animals when they bite. West Nile Virus is NOT spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.
Anderson also reminds local horse owners to get their animals vaccinated against WNV, if they haven’t done so as of yet. While pets like






dogs and cats CAN contract the virus, it is very unlikely. Do not use repellents meant for humans on pets. Check with your veterinarian for products that are pet specific. For more information, please go to our web site at www.washoecounty.us/health or to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

CACI International Inc (CACI) and the National Defense University (NDU) have released a report entitled " Dealing With Today's Asymmetric Threat to U.S. and Global Security: The Need for an Integrated National Asymmetric Threat Strategy"
The report is an executive summary of a May 2008 symposium. It is hoped the report will stimulate conversation about the need to develop a new national defense and homeland security strategy which will address the threats related to everything from Islamic extremism to natural disaster.
The report can be found at
http://www.caci.com/announcement/CACI_Asymmetric_Threat_paper.pdf

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

From Larry Romans at Vanderbuilt University


My colleague Brian Boling has created a webpage for "Statistics - National Agencies and Compendia" at http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/romans/natlstats.html
It's rather comprehensive and up-to-date.
If you have any additions or suggestions for his page, please contact
him:
brian.boling@vanderbilt.edu

Also if you have any additions or suggestions for our Election 2008 webpage (http://lib11.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib/godort.pl?searchtext=Electio
n2008&Type=Simple&Resource=DB&Website=FDTF),
Please send them to me:
larry.romans@vanderbilt.edu
Larry
Larry Romans
Vanderbilt University Libraries
larry.romans@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 322-2838


My colleague Brian Boling has created a webpage for "Statistics - National Agencies and Compendia" at http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/romans/natlstats.html
It's rather comprehensive and up-to-date.
If you have any additions or suggestions for his page, please contact
him:
brian.boling@vanderbilt.edu

Also if you have any additions or suggestions for our Election 2008 webpage (http://lib11.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib/godort.pl?searchtext=Electio
n2008&Type=Simple&Resource=DB&Website=FDTF),
Please send them to me:
larry.romans@vanderbilt.edu
Larry
Larry Romans
Vanderbilt University Libraries
larry.romans@vanderbilt.edu
(615) 322-2838