Home

Capitol Comments

The Future of Offshore Drilling in the Gulf Coast

By Doug Myers | Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 5:05 pm

The federal government’s moratorium on deepwater offshore drilling—which was expected to continue through November 30th in order for the government to devise new safety regulations and environmental response measures—has faced a stumbling block in court today as the federal judge overseeing the case permitted the challenge to proceed.


Illegal Immigration Down Sharply Across the Country, Says New Report

By Jennifer Boyter | Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 4:32 pm

According to a new report released today by the Pew Hispanic Center, the number of illegal immigrants in the United States has dropped to 11.1 million in 2009 from a peak of 12 million in 2007, an 8 percent decline.   The researchers note that this is the "first significant reversal" in illegal immigrant growth in the last twenty years.


Number of Children in Foster Care at Decade-Low Level

By Debra Miller | Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm

At a time when good news seems to be scarce, the number of U.S. children in foster care is down sharply, according to new data released by the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services. The number of foster children fell by over 20 percent during the last decade, from 540,000 in care ten years ago to 423,773 in care on September 30, 2009.


New Brief Examines Condition of U.S. Roads and Bridges, Need for Infrastructure Investment

By Sean Slone | Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:11 am

Despite billions in Recovery Act dollars spent on infrastructure over the last year and half, the nation still faces an epidemic of crumbling roads and bridges in the years ahead and a shortage of dollars to pay for it all under current funding conditions. That’s the picture that emerges from CSG’s new four-page Capitol Facts & Figures brief entitled “Condition of U.S. Roads & Bridges.”


Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission Launches Web Site

By Nathan Dickerson | Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:51 am

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) has launched its new Web site, www.MIC3.net.  The new Web site will serve as an information hub for military families, school officials, and other interested members of the public.


California Health Insurance Exchange Legislation on Way to Governor

By Debra Miller | Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 11:21 am

Two California bills creating the state health insurance exchange mandated by federal health reform law are on the way to Governor Schwarzenegger's desk. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Governor is expected to sign the bills.


DHHS Tells CSG Federal Regs on Health Insurance Exchanges Due in Early 2011

By Debra Miller | Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:50 am

CSG health policy staff and CSG DC office staff met in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with federal officials from the Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS staff told CSG that they fully expect federal regulations on health insurance exchanges to be released in early 2011, in time for state legislative sessions to consider enabling legislation.


EPA Poised to Regulate Power Gen, Other GHG Emissions in Wake of Failed Congressional Attempt

By Doug Myers | Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 1:32 pm

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions solely for the first time on July 1, 2011 under authority of the Clean Air Act.


Second Round of Race to the Top Winners Announced

By Jennifer Ginn | Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 2:23 pm

Nine states and D.C. will share in the $3.4 billion in federal funding to improve schools

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the winners of the second round of Race to the Top funding. They included: the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island. All of them will share in the $3.4 billion left over from the first round, in which Delaware and Tennessee were named winners.


Sooner Than Expected? Push for Reauthorization ASAP Getting Increasing Support

By Sean Slone | Monday, August 23, 2010 at 4:40 pm

I’m not sure if it’s enough to constitute a groundswell or a movement just yet but there have certainly been rumblings in recent weeks that there will at least be a push for Congress to consider a reauthorization bill in the near term, perhaps in a “lame duck” session after the election. This after months of hearing that it likely wouldn’t happen until after the 2012 presidential election.