Government Information

Earl Gregg Swem Library

International Labor Comparisons: Country at a Glance

http://www.bls.gov/ilc/country.htm

Offers statistical comparisons of about 36 countries showing worker pay, productivity, unemployment, gross domestic product, and prices (for most countries).  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia’s Public Schools: From Impressions to Evidence

Categories: District of Columbia,Education,Tests/Assessments

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13114

Offers a framework for evaluating the effects of a 2007 law intended to reform the public schools of the District of Columbia.  From the National Research Council

Understanding Earth’s Deep Past: Lessons for our Climate Future

Categories: Climate Change,Environment,Geology/Mining,Science/Technology

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13111

Rocks that are millions of years old could hold clues to how Earth’s future climate would respond in an environment with high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases.  From the National Research Council

Sea Level Rise in Hampton Roads: Ensuring that Virginia’s Coastal Communities are Prepared for Sea Level Rise

Categories: Climate Change,Environment,Virginia Issues

http://www.virginia.edu/ien/sealevelrise/

A collection of news and resources about the threat posed by climate change and sea level rise to the Hampton Roads area.   From Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, city of Virginia Beach, and other organizations.

The Department of Defense’s Use of Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress

Categories: Afghanistan,Defense/Military,Govt Procurement,Iraq

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R40835.pdf

Updated report on the number and extent of private contractors working for the Department of Defense.  The number has reached an all-time high of 18,919, according to Pentagon figures.  Also discusses the roles that contractors perform and options for Congress.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Illicit Tobacco: Various Schemes are Used to Evade Taxes and Fees

Categories: Crime/Justice,Smoking/Tobacco,Taxes,Virginia Issues

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11313.pdf

Describes how differing taxes between states can create incentives for illicit tobacco trade.  Tax differentials between New York City and Richmond, Virginia amount to $3,000 per case of cigarettes and lead to illicit cross border trade in cigarettes.  From the Government Accountability Office