Government Documents in the News (September 22, 2009)

• Census
• Economic Recovery
• Health Care Reform
• Obama Inauguration
• Presidential Transition
• Swine Flu
• Texas Traffic Laws

These are some government reports and other publications that you may have heard mentioned recently on television or on the radio, or read about in the newspapers. Many of these documents are in PDF format and require the Adobe Reader. For older items, see the 2008 Archive.

Census

Census Bureau Releases 2008 American Community Survey Data (U.S. Bureau of the Census)

On September 21, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau released the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, providing a statistical portrait of the characteristics of the nation’s population in 2008. As part of the Census Bureau’s reengineered 2010 Census, the data collected by the American Community Survey (ACS) helps federal officials determine where to distribute more than $400 billion to state and local governments each year. Responses to the survey are strictly confidential and protected by law. The 2008 ACS estimates are based on an annual, nationwide sample of about 250,000 addresses per month. Additional 2008 ACS economic tables will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.  On Oct. 27, 2009, the Census Bureau will release three-year data (2006-2008 ACS) for areas with a population of 20,000 or more, including the nation, all states and the District of Columbia, all congressional districts, approximately 1,800 counties, and 900 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, among others.

American Factfinder (U.S. Bureau of the Census)

Visit “American Factfinder,” the Census Bureau’s online data tool, to obtain American Community Survey data for the nation, all states and the District of Columbia, all congressional districts, approximately 800 counties, and 500 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, among others.

Economic Recovery

H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

This is the major economic stimulus package that was developed by House Democratic leadership and the Obama Administration. The Senate is considering its own version (S. 1), with the goal of having a finished bill for President Obama to sign into effect by mid-Feb at the latest. For progress on the bill, see OpenCongress and GovTrack.

EconomicRecovery.gov (U.S. Department of Commerce)

Resource for the American people to find help to keep their homes, find jobs and protect their savings.

FinancialStability.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

On Tuesday, February 10th, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner outlined a comprehensive plan to restore stability to our financial system. In the address, Secretary Geithner discussed the Obama Administration’s strategy to strengthen our economy by getting credit flowing again to families and businesses, while imposing new measures and conditions to strengthen accountability, oversight and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. And Secretary Geithner explained how the financial stability plan will be critical in supporting an effective and lasting economic recovery.

A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America’s Promise (GPO Access)

Provides a description of the Obama Administration’s fiscal policies and major budgetary initiatives. This document is an overview of the full Fiscal Year 2010 Budget expected to be released this spring. Paper copies are available for purchase from the U.S. Government Bookstore.

Health Care Reform

H.R. 3200: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (THOMAS)

Bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Includes full text, summary, cost estimates, and chronology of action taken by Congress. See also Open Congress version, which provides overview, news reports, public commentary, e-mail alerts, and other interactive services.

Health Care Reform (White House)

Summary of President Obama's plan for health care reform, with blog post updates and a chronology of the progress being made in implementing Obama's plan.

HealthReform.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Interactive site promoting Obama's plan for health care reform.

Obama's New Hampshire Town Hall on Health Care (RealClearPolitics) 

Transcript of President Obama's speech and town hall discussion on health care issues.

Obama wants to kill your grandma (Salon News) 

Five alarming right-wing claims being made about health care reform, and rebuttals to them.

Obama Inauguration

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (U.S. Senate Rules Committee)

 This interactive Web site provides information on the inauguration schedule of activities and historical information on previous inaugurations.

Inauguration of Barack Obama (Wikipedia)

Detailed account of Obama's inauguration, with extensive links to related resources.

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address (White House)

Watch a video or read the text of Obama's inaugural address.

Presidential Transition

Change.gov (Office of the President-Elect)

The Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended (3 U.S.C. 102 note) authorizes the Administrator of GSA to provide services and support to the Office of the president-elect from the day after the election until 30 days after the inauguration, to support the orderly transfer of executive power after a general election. This site provides information to the public in support of this important public purpose.

 Presidential Transition Resources (U.S. General Services Administration)

The Presidential Transition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-293) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop a transition directory in consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Act provides that the transition directory "shall be a compilation of Federal publications and materials with supplementary materials developed by the Administrator that provides information on the officers, organization, and statutory and administrative authorities, functions, duties, responsibilities, and mission of each department and agency." Senate Report 106-348 clarifies that the directory is intended to "assist in navigating the many responsibilities that fall on a new administration" that is "confronted by an overwhelming amount of material."   

Serving the Congress and the Nation (U.S. Government Accountability Office)

Following each presidential election, GAO serves as a resource to assist with the transition to a new Congress and administration. On this Web site, using its institutional knowledge and broad-based, nonpartisan work on matters across the government spectrum, GAO provides insight into, and recommendations for addressing, the nation’s major issues, risks and challenges. Also located throughout the site are key reports for further research, as well as contact information for and video messages from GAO experts.

The Presidential Transition (IBM Center for the Business of Government)

This blog provides information on the 2008–2009 Presidential Transition and identifies the toughest management decisions facing the future government leaders.

Swine Flu

Swine Influenza (Flu) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States, including two cases in Texas. CDC has up-to-date statistics, information on how to protect yourself and how to care for someone who has the swine flu, and other reports and professional guidance.

Texas State and Local Planning and Response Activities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Statistics, activities, and sources of assistance for Texas residents.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) (Texas Department of State Health Services)

News releases, tips, and other public information for Texas residents.

Flu.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

One-stop access to U.S. Government H1N1, avian, and pandemic flu information.

Influenza (Texas Department of State Health Services)

Surveillance, guidance, and other public information related to all forms of the flu in Texas.

Texas Traffic Laws

New traffic, criminal laws set to go into effect Sept. 1 (Texas Department of Public Safety)

This brochure summarizes notable traffic and criminal laws that will go into effect in September. Among them are a law requiring all occupants of a vehicle to wear safety belts no matter where they are in the vehicle, and a law forbidding drivers to talk on cell phones while in a school zone. Drivers under the age of 18 are forbidden to use a wireless communication device while driving anywhere.

New Booster Seat Law Clarified (Texas Department of Public Safety)

There has been some confusion about the new state law that requires all children younger than eight (8) years old, UNLESS taller than 4'9" to be in child passenger safety seat system. This press release provides a clarification and legal interpretation of the statute.

Know the Newest Laws Impacting the Texas Trucking Industry (Texas Motor Transportation Association)

This poster summarizes new traffic laws that apply to commercial truck drivers.