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Daily Archives: June 25, 2016

The Young and the Carless? The Demographics of New Vehicle Purchases

June 24, 2016 – The Young and the Carless? The Demographics of New Vehicle Purchases, Christopher Kurz, Geng Li, and Daniel Vine, Federal Reserve Board: ” U.S. sales of new light vehicles have rebounded strongly since the end of the 2007-09 recession and are considered one of the bright spots of the recovery. Indeed, sales totaled 17.4 million units in 2015, about the same rate as the all-time record set in 2000 Personal vehicle sales, which exclude sales to businesses and governments, have also rebounded strongly since the end of the recession… As sales have rebounded, some analysts have noticed a shift in the age composition of new light vehicle buyers. Indeed, a number of recent studies and press articles have documented a dramatic decline in young adults’ willingness to own vehicles, particularly in the years since the 2007-09 recession. For example, Fortune recently cited the decline in the fraction of new vehicles purchased by young adults–defined as 18 to 34 year olds–as evidence that financial constraints for that age group had increased and their interest in driving had decreased. As quoted in the article, young adults “just don’t think driving is cool–or even necessary–anymore.” Similar stories abound and often attribute these changes to the rising popularity of social media, which reduces the need to travel, and alternative means of transportation, such as ride-sharing, public transportation, and biking, which reduce the need of owning a vehicle…”

BLS American Time Use Survey Summary 2015

“In 2015, 38 percent of workers in management, business, and financial operations occupations, and 35 percent of those employed in professional and related occupations, did some or all of their work from home on days they worked, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Workers employed in other occupations were less likely to work… Continue Reading

GAO Reports – Highway Trust Fund, Army Working Capital Fund, Defense Facility Condition, Defense Health Care, Federal Prison System, Commercial Space

Highway Trust Fund Administrative Expenses of the Federal Highway Administration, GAO-16-631R :Published: Jun 24, 2016. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2016 Army Working Capital Fund: Army Industrial Operations Could Improve Budgeting and Management of Carryover, GAO-16-543: Published: Jun 23, 2016. Publicly Released: Jun 23, 2016 Defense Facility Condition: Revised Guidance Needed to Improve Oversight of Assessments… Continue Reading

Agreement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies

“The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. The aim is also to prevent the acquisition of these items by terrorists. Participating States seek, through their… Continue Reading

MSU McLellan Free Expression Online Library

“MSU Law’s First Amendment Law Clinic is the only clinical program in the country solely dedicated to the protection of student speech and press rights. Now, a $500,000 donation from leading Michigan attorney and MSU Law Trustee Richard D. McLellan will expand the clinic’s impact nationwide by creating a Free Expression Online Library and Resource… Continue Reading

USNews article – Google as global censor across all its brands

Robert Epstein, June 22, 2016: Google, Inc., isn’t just the world’s biggest purveyor of information; it is also the world’s biggest censor. “…But as the golden gateway to all knowledge, Google has rapidly become an essential in people’s lives – nearly as essential as air or water. We don’t let public utilities make arbitrary and… Continue Reading