April 2009 Archives
Assorted Links 4/29/09
World’s Most Popular Motorcycle Returns to America
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- The riskiness of trying to eliminate all risk - pension edition
- The 10 craziest things about Boylemania: Yes she’s a good singer, but there’s no excuse for turning Susan Boyle into a theological, moral and political symbol.
- Globalization and Tax Reform
- Simple, Colorful Invention Could Save Lives
- U.S. Homeownership by Age Group
- Practical Tips for Combatting Swine Flu In Your Home
- Swine flu: All is well, remain calm!
- Google Maps Mashup Tracks Swine Flu
- Against torture prosecution
- Congressional Rep. Webcasts Hearing With Supreme Court Justices To Show How Easy It Is
- Pass the death sentence on mandatory sentencing: ‘Americans are a fundamentally decent people’, politicians proclaim, leaving you to wonder why over two million of us are in prison.
- Prestige Matters More For Smarts
- Two Academies
- Prayer is not about God coming over to you
- Mary Ann Glendon Turns Down Honor At Notre Dame Commencement
- "checkers is more helpful to kids as a game to prepare for life than chess."
- Unfair and Deceptive Data Trade Practices
- Five Cars Only Gearheads Would Love
- GM Employee Stock Fund Dumps All Company Shares
- Where’d You Learn to Drive?
- OhGizmo! Review - Oral-B Triumph Electric Toothbrush With Wireless SmartGuide
- Optimum Online announces Ultra service, 101Mbps/15Mbps for $99
- Alpine Innovations Spudz: Keychain-ready microfiber
- $3 million for not-very-matic pizza
- LaCie DataShare recycles your bits, will never say goodbye or hurt you
- Apple prototyping "iPhone lite" and MacBook Mini / media pad for Verizon?
April 29, 2009 07:57 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
May - June 2009 Legislative, Communication, and Media Training from TheCapitol.Net
Our latest email update:
http://www.thecapitol.net/PublicPrograms/email2009/email_2009_April28.html
Also see our Audio Course Bundles, money-saving packages of our popular Capitol Learning Audio Courses.
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April 28, 2009 07:27 AM Link Training Comments (0)
Political Futures Tied to Cash - American Civics Exchange
Decisions being made in Washington are increasingly consequential for the future of private industry. Two Internet entrepreneurs sense an opportunity in giving businesses and individuals a chance to hedge their financial risk when it comes to changes in public policy.The American Civics Exchange is the country’s first commercial market for political futures. The Web-based market allows individuals to trade contracts that are priced based on the expected financial impact of certain policy decisions. Current contracts available for trading include those based on an increase in the capital gains or dividend income tax rate, enactment of a “card check” labor organizing bill and enactment of “cap and trade” climate legislation.
The market’s initial version allows only “play money” trades. Trading for cash will begin shortly.
Source: CQ Weekly, April 6, 2009, by Emily Cadei
If you need to learn how policy is made in Washington, TheCapitol.Net offers a definitive three-day overview of how Congress works, “Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process.” In this engaging workshop, Washington-based experts discuss the 3 P’s and help you understand the complete policy-making process. See www.CapitolHillWorkshop.com for more details.
April 27, 2009 06:07 PM Link Economics Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/27/09
“Everything is amazing; nobody is happy.” Louis C.K.
Thus spake Hegel
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- NetVideoHunter Downloads Videos From Popular Video Sharing Sites
- More Delusion on the High-End
- What a difference being responsible makes.
- Brad Smith for the Defense (of Deadlocks) [at the FEC]
- The capital well is running dry and some economies will wither: "The world is running out of capital. We cannot take it for granted that the global bond markets will prove deep enough to fund the $6 trillion or so needed for the Obama fiscal package, US-European bank bail-outs, and ballooning deficits almost everywhere. "
- 4 Things to Consider Before You Try to Join the Amish
- We've only chlorinated our water for a hundred years
- A Tree (and Fruits and Veggies) Grow in Detroit
- On Pelosi's Duplicity and Apparent Sandbagging of Elizabeth Warren
- Marines Equipment Woes Increasing Problem
- The UN’s Epic Fail in Geneva
- Is America now an exceptionally bad country?
- Editorial: Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used to Be. Or Is It?
- Confessions of a Contrarian
- After mass security lapse, RBS Worldpay gets IRS contract - "RBS Worldpay - the electronic payment processor that admitted it exposed sensitive financial records for millions of customers - has been awarded a contract by the Internal Revenue Service to process tax return payments next year."
- From Jingle Of Coins To Jingle Of Jail Keys - "Imagine $170,000. Now imagine that much in quarters and nickels and dimes. That's how much money Alexandria [VA] police say William J. Fell stole, canister by canister, from his job as a parking meter repairman over about a year"
- The Mansion: A Subprime Parable
- Fake Facts on Twitter
- Individuals and History, by Riz Din
- Promoting Webinars With Twitter - "I hate Twitter.... I find Twitter to be the present-day equivalent of a fictional anecdote from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. The only way the Belcerebon race could deal with the curse of telepathy that was imposed upon them was to talk endlessly about utter trivia. And thus it is with Facebook walls and personal tweets."
- Dell Vostro A90: The cheapest Macbook Mini? - "The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is one of the easiest netbooks to install OS X on."
- Swine Flu Pandemic Would Cost Trillions
- Sticking it to the streets of New York--and elsewhere
- Take Aerial Photos with a DIY Kite Camera Timer
- Not *Every* Children's Book Needs A Film Adaptation
- Easy web-based alarm: OnlineClock
- A Basic Checklist for Computer Security
- Come to our Contemporary Worship - We promise to keep the God stuff down to, like, five minutes tops.
- Scientists create super strong spider silk... using metal
April 27, 2009 07:27 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/25/09
Martin Luther King Sings (auto tune)
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Survival, Attention, and Doing Nothing, by James Sogi
- Waste, Fraud, and Stimulus
- Human Sacrifice At The Altar Of The Cult Of Buoyancy
- Here's why Jon Stewart is a hack
- You're a bastard
- Back to the future: Obama’s foreign policy
- "Can someone please tell us how U. S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano got her job?"
- Diabetic Men Who Stay Fit Live Longer
- Connectedness: "a remarkable extent of the world is now covered in roads."
- GMAC Credit Card Biz Breaks with BOA
- Jim Webb Is Open to Legalizing Pot
- Putting MADD in Charge of America's Highways: President Obama's troubling nominee to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- The Worst Stock of the Decade
- Amazon Kindle 2 costs about $185.49 to build, $359 to own
- Why I want a big screen ereader
- Candle Forks
- How to Keep Foods Fresh Longer
- Jailhouse Tech Sniffs Out 'Cell' Phones
April 25, 2009 08:07 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Privilege"
Privilege: Attribute of a motion, measure, report, question, or proposition that gives it priority status for consideration.
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This definition is from the Glossary in our Congressional Deskbook. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting. We show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
April 24, 2009 04:57 PM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/23/09
How to Make a Baby
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- "We haven't even seen the bottom for RI [house prices] yet!"
- Housing Bust and Geographical Mobility
- Know How to Spot an ATM Skimmer
- Is it a good sign to see cops eating at a restaurant?
- GM Is Becoming a Royal Debacle
- GM to Close Factories for Nine Weeks This Summer
- Five Factors Driving the Coming 'Transparency Squeeze'
- Tarred by TARP
- "The main reason we are annoyed by our fellow passengers' physical intrusions is that the airlines don't give us enough room for normal occupation of a physical space for long periods of time."
- Obama and the Pundits: Wrong on the handshake, wrong about Chavez
- The New World Order - A Group Photo
- The Anti-Capitalist Documentary That Can Make You Love Ayn Rand
- Sea ice in Antarctic is increasing as a result of the ozone hole, reveals new research
- Elizabeth Warren Grills Geithner
- Nonlethal Weapons and the Right To Defend Life
- Teacher of Year nominee laid off: "they have to go on seniority.”
- My Students. My Cellphone. My Ordeal.
- The Great Brazilian Sat-Hack Crackdown
- Low-Tech Impersonation
- Part-Time and Full-Time [Law] Students
- Gag name - Wikipedia
- Delta Airzound Bike Horn
- The Bride Was Beautiful
- Could Handwriting Recognition Be Andoid’s Secret Weapon?
- Author Offers Free Copy Of His Book To Anyone Who Writes An Amazon Review
- Parents, Don’t Listen To This Bologna
- A Child’s Garden of Alleged Bad Touching
- Blazing Saddles: 1922
- Stuff Journalists Like: #5 the good old days
April 23, 2009 08:17 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/22/09
C'est Ne Pas Une Pipe
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Are the Right Convicts Being Let Out of Jail Early?
- Have I got a deal for you
- Scientists Augment Scorpion Venom with Nanoparticles; Promise Super Brain Cancer Killer
- The Bail-Out as Class Warfare
- Citi Guys Slams Sysco
- When They Say "Smart Grid," Think "General Electric"
- Clean Up Your Classic Car With Propane
- The Wonders of Socialized Dentistry
- David Simon: Newspapers could emulate HBO and charge for content
- ABC Reports Psychics Contributing to Bad Economy
- Miss Bennett makes a move
- Can We Replace DHS Secretary Napolitano with Fox News Legal Expert Napolitano?
- Wag the Dog: What if the system to provide heart care has already gotten as big as it should be?
- Foreclosures: Movin' on up!
- California, Please Send A Message! California citizens have a chance to tell the spendthrifts to go to hell.
- NEA Asks President to Nationalize Industries
- Louis Armstrong Live At The 1958 Monterey Jazz Festival - Revisited
- Pedal powered electricity generator
- Markets in everything - Fake TV
- Chinese Gov't Computer Problems May Force Chinese Citizens To Change Names
April 22, 2009 07:27 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
"Who Needs A Manual To Write Real Good"
"Who Needs A Manual To Write Real Good" is a tongue-in-cheek commentary that recently aired on NPR’s All Things Considered. Author Marc Acito hails the 50th anniversary of William Strunk and E.B. White’s Elements of Style, the highly acclaimed grammar manual.
Acito playfully turns the book’s rules of grammar on their head. We especially liked his version of “shall” versus “will”. His commentary will make you chuckle.
If his commentary leaves you doubting your writing ability, TheCapitol.Net offers an intensive one-day course that can help you improve your writing capability. Writing Refresher: Critical Thinking and Writing helps you understand the three dimensions of professional writing: organization, format, and style. It shows you how to apply critical thinking to the writing process, develop an effective writing style, and return to plain English.
April 21, 2009 01:17 PM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Amendments Between the Houses"
Amendments Between the Houses: Method for reconciling differences between the two chambers’ versions of a measure by passing the measure back and forth between them until both have agreed to identical language. Contrast to Conference Committee.
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This definition is from the Glossary in our Congressional Deskbook. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting. We show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
April 21, 2009 09:17 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/20/09
AA-12 Combat Shotgun Can Fire 5 12-Gauge Shells Per Second
Atchisson Assault Shotgun - Wikipedia
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Reference materials
- Charter [schools] can’t meet demand
- Does Declining Popular Identification with State Governments Undermine the Case for Federalism?
- Why don't they boo more at the opera?
- Potato bins
- How To Make Potato Vodka
- Poteen Folklore
- Going Postal: The Imminent Death of the U.S. Postal Service?
- Yahoo Removing Your Stock Board Comments Is Not A Violation Of Your First Amendment Rights
- Washington’s Government-Centric View of the World
- Mystery Saturn Investors Enable Dealer Denial
- Why Won't Local Governments Just Increase The Length Of Yellow Lights?
April 20, 2009 08:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/16/09
They laughed when she stood up to… sing
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- OpenSecrets.org releases 200 million government data records
- Conflict at the FEC
- Mortgage Fraud on TV
- Six Banks to Receive up to $9.9 Billion for Mortgage Modifications
- "It appears that both the Great Depression and the current crisis had their origins in excessive consumer debt -- especially mortgage debt -- that was transmitted into the financial sector during a sharp downturn."
- The Ungoverned Space Moves to Sea; Clinton Outlines Response - "The solution must ultimately lie ashore. 'We can’t continue to have the Navy floating around without some political direction,' [Martin] Murphy says, adding more ships offshore is not going to solve the Somalia as pirate safe-haven problem, the area is fast becoming another sanctuary for not only criminal gangs but Islamic extremism, similar to the tribal areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border."
- McKinsey: adopt the cloud, lose money. Virtualize your datacenter instead.
- Questions that are rarely asked: Is euchre making a comeback?
- Great liars of the law
- The Tax-Defying DC Detective
- If You Work For The IRS, You Better Pay Your Taxes. If You Run The IRS, Not So Much.
- Livio Radio: Pandora Streaming Without the Computer
- A Buyer's Guide to Wi-Fi Internet Radio Receivers
- Pandora Internet Radio
- The death of a block
- CycleKarting: Extreme Vintage Go-Karting
April 16, 2009 06:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Media Tip 50
Media Tip 50: Utilize wire services. Wire services can reach millions of readers and operate the primary daybooks that list upcoming events.
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This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations. Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media. An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media. Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. |
TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.
April 14, 2009 07:07 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/13/09
Using a Square Wheel
W.T. Wallington's Forgotten Technology Official Website
Wally Wallington - Wikipedia
The Construction of the Pyramids
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Kindle Formatting: The Complete Guide
- It all depends on what the meaning of “bow” means
- Video Camera Strapped To An Eagle
- All the News That’s Fit to Tint - ht Cafe Hayek
- CBO: TARP Bailout to Cost Taxpayers Even More Than Expected
- Stalled CRE [Commercial Real Estate] Projects in D.C.
- Fed Paper on Reducing Foreclosures - "This analysis suggests mortgage modifications - without principal reduction - will have limited success. The authors suggest that loan or grants to homeowners with lost income might be more effective than mortgage modifications."
- America's Love Affair With Malls Ends; Toxic Drywall; Halted Projects; and Vacant Dealerships
- The Cost of Global Warming: A Story in Pictures
- Seek Superstar Slavery
- "Teacher’s aide in Queens, N.Y., sues 11 year old, saying he was dashing for ice cream and ran into her (this happened when he was eight)"
- Is your interior designer really putting your life at risk?
- The Folly of Sin Taxation
- The Tax Capital of the World: States are raising taxes despite the 'stimulus'; New York is No. 1.
- The New Atheists’ Easter message? ‘Grow up or die’. Religulous, Bill Maher’s religion-baiting documentary, confirms what modern atheists hate most about religion: its humancentricity.
- It’s time to stop this ‘miracle cure’ madness: In his speech to the Royal Society of Medicine, Dr Michael Fitzpatrick said the ‘war on autism’ is dehumanising people with the condition.
- The monster inside my son: For years I thought of his autism as beautiful and mysterious. But when he turned unspeakably violent, I had to question everything I knew.
- Autism - Wikipedia
- YouTube Is Doomed (GOOG) - ht Marginal Revolution
- The World as It Is and "simple-headed vanity"
- Surviving in a post-American world
- Just How Easy it [is] to Disrupt Infrastructure?
- $200 Oil Is Coming While We Waste a Perfectly Good Crisis
- Concerned resident aims to form armed militia to patrol Stockton, CA
- No Tofu in Colorado (Or the F-Word, Either) - ILVTOFU
- Time Traveling The Multiverse
- Castro, Race and the Black Congressional Caucus: An Inconvenient Truth
April 13, 2009 07:17 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Economic Policy Crisis and the Stimulus: Analyses of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, HR 1, 111th Congress
Economic Policy Crisis and the Stimulus: Analyses of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, HR 1, 111th Congress
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, HR 1 in the 111th Congress, will assist in supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, give financial help to the unemployed, and will provide State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.1:
Table of Contents
- Analysis
- "Economic Stimulus: Issues and Policies," by Jane G. Gravelle, Thomas L. Hungerford, Marc Labonte, CRS Report for Congress R40104, March 6, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
- "Financial Market Intervention," by Edward V. Murphy & Baird Webel, CRS Report for Congress RS22963, January 29, 2009 . . . . . . . 25
- "'Fast Track' Procedures to Disapprove Additional Funds Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act," by Christopher M. Davis, CRS Report for Congress R40134, January 15, 2009 . . . . 35
- "Economic Slowdown: Issues and Policies," by Jane G. Gravelle, Thomas L. Hungerford, Marc Labonte, N. Eric Weiss, and Julie M. Whittaker, CRS Report for Congress RL34349, January 2, 2009 . . . . . 45
- "The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009: Full Summary of Provisions by the Senate Finance Committee and House, Ways & Means Committee," by the Senate Finance Committee and the House, Ways & Means Committee, February 12, 2009 . . . . . 85
- "Obey Statement: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," by Dave Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, February 13, 2009 . . . . . . . 105
- Legislative Process flowchart, § 8.01 . . . . . 109
- Federal Budget Process flowchart, § 9.53 . . . . . 110
- Typical Executive Budget Process Timetable, § 9.41 . . . . . 112
- Volumes Containing and Explaining the President's Annual Budget, § 9.43 . . . . . 113
From the Congressional Deskbook
Other Resources . . . . . . 114
Softcover, 2009, 116 pages, $27.50
ISBN: 1587331497 ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-149-7
Complete Table of Contents, sample pages, and online ordering here.
April 11, 2009 06:07 PM Link Publications Comments (0)
The Valmadonna Trust Library
Join Sotheby's experts and Jack Lunzer, custodian of the Valmadonna Trust Library, for an intimate tour of this fabled collection of Hebrew books and manuscripts.
Highly recommended.
More
- The Valmadonna Trust Library - Wikipedia
- Valmadonna photos and comments
- The Valmadonna Trust Library at Sotheby’s
- The Valmadonna Trust Library - photos from the NYT
April 11, 2009 02:47 PM Link Art Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Appropriations Bill"
Appropriations Bill: Bill that, if enacted as law, gives legal authority to spend or obligate money from the Treasury.
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This definition is from the Glossary in our Congressional Deskbook. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting. We show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
April 11, 2009 09:47 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
The Budget Reconciliation Process
Reconciliation legislation is used by Congress to bring existing revenue and spending law into conformity with the policies in a budget resolution. Reconciliation is an optional process, but since 1980, Congress has used reconciliation legislation to implement many of its most significant budget policies.
The reconciliation process has two stages--the adoption of reconciliation directives in the budget resolution and the enactment of reconciliation legislation that implements changes in revenue or spending laws.
Reconciliation is used to change the amount of revenues, budget authority, or outlays generated by existing law. In a few instances, reconciliation has been used to adjust the public debt limit. On the spending side, the process focuses on entitlement laws, but it may not be used to impel changes in Social Security law.
More
- The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 created reconciliation. (See Pub.L. 93-344, § 310; 88 Stat. 297; 2 USC § 641.)
- “The Budget Reconciliation Process,” Parliamentary Outreach Program, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules
- “Legislating in Congress: Federal Budget Process” by Bill Heniff Jr. and Robert Keith, Ch. 9 in the Congressional Deskbook (TheCapitol.Net 2007) www.CongressionalDeskbook.com
- The "Byrd Rule" (2 USC § 644) outlines what reconciliation can and cannot be used for.
- "Summary of the Byrd Rule," Parliamentary Outreach Program, U.S. House of Representatives
- "The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate’s 'Byrd Rule',” by Robert Keith, CRS Report for Congress RL30862, March 20, 2008 (35-page pdf
)
April 10, 2009 11:57 AM Link Budget ~ Congress Comments (0)
Media Tip 100
Media Tip 100: You have three duties as a public relations specialist working in public affairs: duty to self, duty to employer, and duty to society.
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This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations. Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media. An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media. Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. |
TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.
April 10, 2009 09:37 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/9/09
Stop Spending Our Future!
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- John Hope Franklin's Moral and Intellectual Poise - ht ALD
- Does a Move To Greater Internationalism Jeopardize American Free Speech Values?>
- Apartment: Vacancy Rate Increases, Rents Fall
- Which are the most neurotic states?
- The More Obama ‘Challenges,’ the More Education Will Look the Same
- Repo markets in everything, Passover edition
- In Defense of Free Speech: The 2009 Jefferson Muzzle Awards
- Portfolio Allocation in Times of Volatility and Uncertainty - Nouriel Roubini
- Parking In Rome. a/k/a You Think YOU Have Parking Problems
- Sadr City After the Fall
- Worst Is Yet to Come for Banks - Mike Mayo
- Who Won the First Naval Battle of Yulin?
- Strong words and actions as Stevens conviction set aside
- Chubby Belly a Predictor of Heart Failure
- Ultra Surge Protector
- The War on Drugs: Methamphetamine
- China’s SAIC To Buy Buick For Bupkis
- SWAT Regulation
- Reinventing College
- The Bloom Could Not Survive
- The Dark Side of Dubai
- What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: Tina Seelig's Great New Book
- Close Look at the Accelerating Rate of Unemployment
- It's Not a Flying Car -- It's a Driveable Airplane
- Vacancies, vacancies, vacancies ... and falling rents
April 9, 2009 06:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
The Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) Final Rules on Bundling and The Executive Branch Rules on Gifts
New Capitol Learning Audio Course
The Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) Final Rules on Bundling and The Executive Branch Rules on Gifts
With Carol Laham
- Who has to report and what triggers the reporting requirement under the new lobbyist bundling rules?
- What is a bundled contribution?
- How the Commission defines "credit" given for contributions on which the reporting requirements hinge?
- How the Commission treats the case of co-hosted fundraising events?
- When do reporting committees have to start filing Form 3L and keeping records?
- What are the covered reporting periods?
- Executive Order 13490: Executive Branch gift rules.
April 8, 2009 06:07 PM Link Training Comments (0)
Lawmakers Slow to Comply With New Filing Requirement
Scores of lawmakers missed a deadline to start disclosing their ties to political action committees as required by law. The law requires that any fund-raising committee must file as a leadership PAC “if the committee is directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained or controlled by a federal candidate or officeholder.” It was designed to allow the public for the first time to see all contributions received by lawmakers from lobbyists and general donors-- no matter which entity cashed the check.Leadership PACs are generally used to support the campaigns of House and Senate colleagues--and thus win friends who might back pet projects--and finance party-building efforts.
The new disclosures were due at the Federal Election Commission by March 29. The deadline was set by the FEC as it implemented a larger campaign finance overhaul law passed in September 2007 (PL 110-81). While more than 230 lawmakers met the deadline, a significant number with known connections to leadership PACs did not.
The 92 PACS known to be controlled by members who have not filed or filed late raised more than $15 million during the 2008 cycle, according to an analysis by CQ MoneyLine.
Source: CQ Today Online News April 3, 2009
Find out more about leadership PACs and deadlines by listening to Capitol Learning’s audio program, “The Federal Election Commission’s Final Rules on Bundling and The Executive Branch rules on Gifts,” by Carol Laham of Wiley Rein, LLP.
More
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)
- CRS Report, “Campaign Finance: Potential Legislation & Policy Issues for the 111th Congress”, E. Sam Garrett, R40091 January 29, 2009 (19-page pdf )
- "PACs in a Nutshell," Capitol Learning Audio Course by Ned Monroe of the National Restaurant Association
- "PAC Management: Advanced PAC Strategy," Capitol Learning Audio Course by Steven Billet of The George Washington University
April 8, 2009 07:27 AM Link Congress Comments (0)
April - May 2009 Legislative, Communication, and Media Training from TheCapitol.Net
Our latest email update:
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>> Exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences.
>> Non-partisan training and publications that show how Washington works. TM
April 7, 2009 06:07 PM Link Training Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/7/09
A Tiny Lightbulb from Luxim Has Great Medical Future
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Compare LED Lights
- WeLoveLEDs
- Turn Storage Containers into Self Watering Tomato Planters
- Shorting Reason
- The Future of Our Cities: Open, Crowdsourced, and Participatory
- Stealing Commodities
- From Bubble to Depression?
- Repair Manifesto
- Confessions Of A Recovering Leaf Blower Addict
- Comments on Criticism of Cato [Global Warming] Ad
- Franken-Coleman gravy train rides on
- Just A Friendly Reminder… - back up your data
- Designer Threatened With Copyright Infringement Claims... On His Own Work
- Why "Voting With Your Feet" in a Federal System Benefits the Poor More than the Rich
- Announcing the 2011 Obama Sedan - also see "The Pelosi GTxi SS/RT, Take 2"
- Larry Summers, Tim Geithner and Wall Street's ownership of government
Last night, former Reagan-era S&L regulator and current University of Missouri Professor Bill Black was on Bill Moyers' Journal and detailed the magnitude of what he called the on-going massive fraud, the role Tim Geithner played in it before being promoted to Treasury Secretary (where he continues to abet it), and -- most amazingly of all -- the crusade led by Alan Greenspan, former Goldman CEO Robert Rubin (Geithner's mentor) and Larry Summers in the late 1990s to block the efforts of top regulators (especially Brooksley Born, head of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission) to regulate the exact financial derivatives market that became the principal cause of the global financial crisis. To get a sense for how deep and massive is the on-going fraud and the key role played in it by key Obama officials, I highly recommend watching that Black interview (it can be seen here and the transcript is here).
. . .
Just think about how this works. People like Rubin, Summers and Gensler shuffle back and forth from the public to the private sector and back again, repeatedly switching places with their GOP counterparts in this endless public/private sector looting. When in government, they ensure that the laws and regulations are written to redound directly to the benefit of a handful of Wall St. firms, literally abolishing all safeguards and allowing them to pillage and steal. Then, when out of government, they return to those very firms and collect millions upon millions of dollars, profits made possible by the laws and regulations they implemented when in government. Then, when their party returns to power, they return back to government, where they continue to use their influence to ensure that the oligarchical circle that rewards them so massively is protected and advanced. This corruption is so tawdry and transparent -- and it has fueled and continues to fuel a fraud so enormous and destructive as to be unprecedented in both size and audacity -- that it is mystifying that it is not provoking more mass public rage.- Traffic: Deal With It. Hanoi Style
- Retiring Public-Sector Retirement Plans
- Top 10 Home Office Hacks
- Tekkeon MP3450 Power Station Review
- Brunton Solaris 26 Solar Panel Review
- Chlorine in Our Drinking Water - A Cause For Concern
April 7, 2009 08:47 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Congressional Budgeting for the Terrified: Come Up to Speed on the Congressional Budget Process--Understand Surpluses, Deficits, Appropriations, and Authorizations Once and For All
Why is the federal budget process so convoluted? How come it's so hard to get an appropriation through Congress? What's the difference between authorizations and appropriations? How can I track my organization’s appropriation?
If you've ever asked any of these questions, this course from TheCapitol.Net is a must: Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations at the Goethe-Institut, downtown Washington, DC, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from 8:30 am to 4:10 pm.
Congressional budget experts will explain basic concepts of the congressional budget process: surpluses and deficits, authorizations, appropriations, Internet resources--and perhaps most critical, the individuals involved in the budget process, their roles and relationships. Attendees will gain knowledge about the dynamics of the federal deficit, discretionary and mandatory spending, how Congress handles the President’s budget, and budget resolution and reconciliation. Expert faculty will discuss the different types of authorization bills, the relationship between appropriations and the budget resolution, and other topics.
The last segment offers hands-on Internet training on how to find budget web sites and track appropriations.
This course includes a continental breakfast and a networking lunch.
To learn more about this course, visit www.CongressionalBudgeting.com or contact TheCapitol.Net directly at 703-739-3790 for more information. Space for this conference is limited.
The course is approved for .6 CEU credits from George Mason University and is part of the required curriculum for the Certificate in Congressional Operations.
TheCapitol.Net is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences. Based in Alexandria, VA, TheCapitol.Net offers non-partisan media, legislative, budget and advocacy training and information for thousands of government and business leaders each year.
April 6, 2009 04:07 PM Link Budget Training ~ Training Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/6/09
Back to Work
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- Sodastream Home Soda Maker - see spring specials at company website
- StashSafe 100 Hip Pack
- Inflation vs. Deflation
- Blast small LDL to oblivion - eliminate wheat from your diet
- Buy local, get a goiter
- PDF for Lawyers
- Paperless office? Ha! How about a paperless life? Is it possible to make everything digital? Is it desirable?
- [House] Pricing Rule-of-Thumb
- U.S. property bust threatens condo "death spiral"
- The DAP Legacy: FHA Delinquencies Rise Sharply in 2008
- Harvey Mansfield on economists
- Too Crazy to Fail
- Why creditors should suffer, too
- "trusting a politician’s conscience seems a bit like trusting a prostitute’s sense of propriety."
- Does a Stimulus Lobbyist Work for You?
- They don’t get the joke
- Daimler Finds Use for 200 U.S. Smart Cars
- WiFi is a Must for Smartphones
- Video - Building Innovation Teams - What is Your Learning Type?
- Learning-styles-online.com
- Savory: Native Kindle epub and PDF Converter
- UCSF draws the line at $75 bottles of wine
April 6, 2009 08:07 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Your victory garden counts more than ever!
This is a WWII poster from the Northwestern University archives.
Your victory garden counts more than ever!
April 5, 2009 01:47 PM Link Art Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Open Rule"
Open Rule: Permits general debate for a specified period of time and allows any member to offer an amendment that complies with the standing rules of the House.
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This definition is from the Glossary in our Congressional Deskbook. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting. We show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
April 5, 2009 09:27 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/4/09
Hayek Warns of "Omnipotent Elected Assembly"
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- The Road to Serfdom - wikipedia
- “Game Changer”
- 57 Days to GM Bankruptcy: Stock Set for Delisting
- Obama, his task force, and the auto industry: does anyone else find this especially chilling?
- Wrong Tomorrow
- What crisis? "Keep calm and carry on"
- Woman’s DNA showed up at 39 crime scenes
- NPR on CPSIA: “Public Concern, Not Science, Prompts Plastics Ban”
- Faith In Breasts
- The monster inside my son: For years I thought of his autism as beautiful and mysterious. But when he turned unspeakably violent, I had to question everything I knew.
- "As research reveals more about inheritance, it has become abundantly clear that humans are not blank slates. Neither, however, are our personalities and behaviour forged by genes alone."
- Cities Where Cars Are More Trouble Than Worth
- Pay Cuts For Thee, But Not For Me (if Me is a Federal Worker)
- Who Are The Top Hayekian Public Intellectuals in America? - ht Marginal Revolution
- There Will Be (Hyper)Inflation
- Just Add Diesel: How Unintended Consequences Rob Taxpayers Blind
April 4, 2009 11:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Outlays"
Outlays: Payments to liquidate obligations.
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This definition is from the Glossary in our Congressional Deskbook. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting. We show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
April 3, 2009 04:37 PM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Who's going to pay for the deficit?
Who's going to pay for the federal deficit?
April 3, 2009 08:47 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
How to Become a Washington Media Rockstar: Generating Consistent Positive Press in a Tight Market With Its Own Rules
News coverage in the Washington media can make or break public policy initiatives, lobbyists, and even the careers of politicians--and it's different from news coverage in other markets. This training can help you be successful in this critical arena.
Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals: How to develop a message, press release, media kit, and communications plan to attract Washington beat journalists. Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the DC Bar Conference Center. http://www.thecapitol.net/PublicPrograms/mediaI.html
- Build your comprehensive strategic communications plan from scratch
- Learn the fundamentals of creating media-sexy news releases, press kits, and other materials
- Get a handle on crisis communication--before you need it
Advanced Media Relations, for those with at least three years experience: Best practices for developing creative pitches, preparing for interviews, and developing media strategies that advance your organization's public policy objectives. Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Goethe-Institut. http://www.thecapitol.net/PublicPrograms/mediaII.html
- Learn and implement advanced Internet and offline strategies that bring you more coverage
- Shape your media spokespeople and key leaders to be effective, on-message, and welcomed by the press--to be neither a "media mouse" nor a "media hog"
- Leverage the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) to ensure better coverage
The seminars are organized by TheCapitol.Net, the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences. All faculty for both programs are subject matter experts on media, with at least 10 years experience.
Each program is approved for .7 CEU credits from George Mason University. The registration fee includes all course materials and a networking lunch. To preserve the small-group, hands-on atmosphere, seating is limited. To register, learn more, get the address and directions, or view the complete agenda, please visit the URLs listed with each course or call TheCapitol.Net directly at 703-739-3790.
April 2, 2009 06:07 PM Link Training Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/2/09
Sweet Science
King Corn, the movie
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- "Just the kind of debate folks in DC love, one that sounds really important but leaves the government-created problem almost totally untouched."
- Report: Obama believes automaker BK appears inevitable
- Welcome to a Fascist….er, Managed Democracy?
- Ho-hum
- People Tend To Follow The Advice Of Experts Over Their Own Common Sense
- Congress Will Support Energy Policy As Long As It's Ineffective
- Virginia Gov. Kaine blocks funding for embryonic stem cell research
- Taxpayer Financing of Campaigns Returns
- Ford U.S. March sales fall 40.9%
- No You Can't Sign Up For A Comcast Account And Resell It Throughout Your Building
- The Spaghetti Book Club - "I would recommend this book about Cinderella to my mom because she likes to do chores."
- Which new mothers are most likely to abandon their old jobs?
- Data Glutton, Data Pauper
- Gorilla Power!
- The muddling-through option in China is not to be misunderestimated
- Gaza Crossings
- Top 10 Trends for Your Home This Year
- How to Become a "Death of Newspapers" Blogger
- Jane Brody’s Cholesterol Headache
- Tom Naughton and "Fat Head": A Revisit
- Thefts at the Museum of Bad Art
- Blair, Gates OK Multi-Billion Secret Sats
April 2, 2009 08:17 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Assorted Links 4/1/09
Amusing, but Tragically Accurate, Video on Ag Subsidies from the U.K.’s Taxpayers Alliance
- Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, April 22, 2009
- Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals, May 5, 2009
- Advanced Media Relations, May 6, 2009
- Crisis Communications Training, May 7, 2009
- Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations, May 13, 2009
- Working with Congress and Congressional Staff: Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill, May 15, 2009
- Public Affairs and the Internet: Advanced Techniques and Strategies, May 19, 2009
- The AP Daily without the AP
- Chinese cyberspy ring discovered
- Obama Taps Ralph Nader to Run GM, Nader Joins UAW
- GM of the Future: Much Smaller and Actually Profitable
- The many fascinating legal and social issues swirling around "sexting"
- "We have to wait for the fire brigade because of health and safety"
- Traveling With Tea
- The Nutrition Lesson Hidden in a Bowl of Miso Soup
- Says he didn’t mug her (but does want her money)
- Skype May Be The Biggest Winner From The Web 2.0 Era
- Stuff Journalists Like: #43 anonymous sources
- Frogs and Hawks, from Victor Niederhoffer
- Some Interesting Details - Carla Baron
- IIG Special Investigation: Carla Baron, Psychic Detective (?)
- Verizon to Sell 3G Hotspot From Novatel
- Verizon MiFi 2200 Personal Hotspot Leak
- Self-directed health: At-home lab testing
- Privacy and the Fourth Amendment
April 1, 2009 08:17 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
