Rural Economic Development: Collaboration between SBA and USDA Could Be Improved, GAO-08-1123, September 18, 2008 Voluntary Organizations: FEMA Should More Fully Assess Organization’s Mass Care Capabilities and Update the Red Cross Role in Catastrophic Events, GAO-08-823, September 18, 2008 Veterans’ Benefits: Improvements Needed in VA’s Training and Performance Management Systems, GAO-08-1126T, September 18, 2008 American …

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State Personal Income – Second Quarter 2008 [Full Release and Tables]: “U.S. personal income grew 1.8 percent in the second quarter of 2008 with growth accelerating in all but five states, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The second-quarter growth was the highest since the first quarter of 2007 …

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Bureau of Economic Analysis – U.S. International Transactions: Second Quarter 2008 Current Account [Full Release and Tables]: “The U.S. current-account deficit–the combined balances on trade in goods and services, income, and net unilateral current transfers–increased to $183.1 billion (preliminary) in the second quarter of 2008 from $175.6 billion (revised) in the first quarter. The increase …

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Statement on Golden Parachute Payments: “September 14, 2008 – the Federal Housing Finance Agency notified former Fannie Mae Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mudd and former Freddie Mac Chief Executive Officer Richard Syron that “golden parachute” payments contemplated under their contracts [[$10 million and $15 million respectively] would not be paid. The Agency, serving as conservator, …

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SEC Fact Sheet: “A number of companies are beginning to offer a “401(k) debit card” to employees who invest in 401(k) retirement programs. A 401(k) debit card allows you to borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of the value of your retirement plan, whichever is less, through use of a debit card. Unlike a debit …

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Controls Over Its Weapons, Laptop Computers, and Other Sensitive Property, Audit Report 08-29, September 2008 (142 pages, PDF)

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D-2008-130 Approval Process, Tracking, and Financial Management of DoD Disaster Relief Efforts, September 17, 2008 (Project No. D2007-D000CG-0117.000) “DoD provided disaster relief through 121 Federal Emergency Management Agency mission assignments totaling more than $2 billion. DoD has taken several steps to improve the overall mission assignment process. Despite notable improvements, DoD continues to have issues …

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News release: “The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today released the annual Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) results for Federal agencies. New this year, agencies have added summary and detailed plans of how they are addressing the GAO High Risk issues. To further increase transparency and create a web archive of ExpectMore.gov, this release …

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Electronic Waste: EPA Needs to Better Control Harmful U.S. Exports through Stronger Enforcement and More Comprehensive Regulation, GAO-08-1044, August 28, 2008 Electronic Waste: Harmful U.S. Exports Flow Virtually Unrestricted Because of Minimal EPA Enforcement and Narrow Regulation, GAO-08-1166T, September 17, 2008 Health Information Technology: HHS Has Taken Important Steps to Address Privacy Principles and Challenges, …

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News release: “The Securities and Exchange Commission today took several coordinated actions to strengthen investor protections against “naked” short selling. The Commission’s actions will apply to the securities of all public companies, including all companies in the financial sector.” New Short Selling Rules and related postings Related postings on financial system

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