Examines the impacts of climate change on roads and bridges, wastewater systems, and NASA centers; the extent to which climate change is incorporated into infrastructure planning; factors that enabled some adaptive measures to be enacted; and federal efforts to address local adaptation needs.  From the Government Accountability Office

Discusses the reasons that adults might go missing and why/how the federal government might be involved in efforts to find them.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Sees a gloomy future for state and local governments as they attempt to deal with projected rising deficits due primarily to the rising costs of Medicaid and health care coverage for employees and retirees.  From the Government Accountability Office

Reviews the details of the meningitis outbreak caused by contaminated drugs from a New England compounding pharmacy and the results of a congressional investigation into state regulation of such pharmacies.  This report analyzes the information received from state boards and includes summaries of all state board responses.   From the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

The 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak called attention to the regulation of human drug compounding.  State governments have historically been the regulators of drug compounding firms, but now questions have arisen about the extent to which the federal government should be involved.  This report examines the role of the Food and Drug Administration and the limits to its authority in this area. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the controversy about the benefits and questions about fluoride, whether the addition of fluoride to other products may lead to overexposure, and EPA’s review of fluoride standards.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Summarizes the Washington and Colorado marijuana legalization laws and evaluates whether they may be preempted by the federal Controlled Substances Act or international agreements. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes what the TANF block grant program is, what it offers, what restrictions are connected to it such as the work requirements and time limits, and state accountability requirements.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of Mexico’s historic 2008 judicial reforms and an assessment of how these reforms have been implemented at the state and federal levels.  Also analyzes U.S. support for judicial reform efforts in Mexico.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

This report provides an overview of the various legal authorities involved under the current law and describes the planning process for the redevelopment of BRAC properties.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

In 2011, 17% of federal outlays were for grants to state and local governments.  This report provides information on how much grant money flows to state and local governments from the feds, what functions the grant money is used for, trends since 1980, projections for the next decade, the controls exerted by the federal government over the spending of the money, and the rationale for intergovernmental grants.  From the Congressional Budget Office

Examines trends in domestic meth lab incidents over the past decade, the impact and limitations of electronic tracking systems on meth lab incidents, and the impact of prescription-only laws on such incidents.  From the Government Accountability Office

Outlines the required minimum functions of the health insurance exchanges and how they are to be established and administered under the Affordable Care Act.    Also discusses the coverage to be offered, the levels of plan generosity and more.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the varieties of hemp and their uses, current global production levels, and the legal status of hemp in the U.S., including the process of getting permission from state and federal authorities to grow hemp.  It also covers recent legislative attempts to distinguish between marijuana and industrial hemp.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

State specific data for tobacco prevention and control programs including prevalence of tobacco use and percentage of smokers attempting to quit.  From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Answers questions relating to funding, cash benefits, caseloads, work requirements, and other matters relating to the main federal welfare law.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes what the changes are, why they were instituted, and their potential impacts, especially on state implementation plans for attaining the particulate standards.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the squabbles between the congressional and executive branches over the scope and effectiveness of chemical facility anti-terrorism standards, the balance of regulatory authority between the states and the federal government, and whether the standards should be reauthorized or terminated.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses an array of technologies that aim to reduce temperatures and counteract climate change, the debate over the methods of oversight, and controversies relating to state, federal, and international policies.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Announces Virginia’s decision that the state will not build and operate a state-based health benefits exchange but will choose to let the federal government create and operate the required exchange beginning in January 2014.  From the Office of the Governor

Discusses the clash between federal union security agreements stemming from the National Labor Relations Act which require all workers covered by a union contract to pay membership dues to the union,  and the Taft-Hartley Act which allowed states to supersede these provisions with so-called Right-to-Work laws.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of state budgeting procedures and budget data comparing state fiscal conditions in FY2008 to FY2011.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the bleak options for deficit reduction unless entitlement spending is reduced and taxes are increased.  Also discusses possible effects on state governments if federal government reduced the revenue it currently sends to states.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Report requested by the Governor regarding a regulatory framework that would be set up to protect citizens and the environment if the General Assembly should choose to lift the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia.   From the Office of the Governor

Reports that state and local governments provided 87% of school revenues and the federal government 12%.  Per pupil expenditures ranged from $6,400 in Utah to $20,900 in DC.  From the National Center for Education Statistics

Proceedings from a 2011 forum in Baltimore on policies and assumptions for creating alternative future land-use scenarios for the Chesapeake Bay area out to 2025 by which the population is expected to increase by 2 million persons.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Describes the basic elements of Medicaid, including the federal rules governing who is eligible, what services are covered, how the program is financed,  how beneficiaries share in the costs, how providers are paid, and the role of special waivers.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.com

Reviews the federal government’s authority to enact the federal criminal prohibition on marijuana; highlights certain principles of federalism that prevent the federal government from forcing the states to enforce the federal prohibition; considers whether state authorization and regulation of medical marijuana are preempted by federal law; and assesses what obligations the Justice Department has to prosecute violations of federal laws on marijuana.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Covers federal offshore wind developments/actions, a summary of key state wind developments during  2012 in Virginia and other Atlantic states, and recommendations to the General Assembly.  From the Authority.

This report discusses the Defense of Marriage Act and legal challenges to it.  It also reviews legal principles applied to determine the validity of a marriage contracted in another state, the various approaches to same-sex marriage by states, and previous Congressional resolutions proposed a constitutional amendment or limitations on judicial jurisdiction.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists