Friday, January 27, 2012

Forest Managment/ EPA/ College Tuition/ Cybersecurity

Chief Tom Tidwell on Planning Rule

Missoulian: Obama administration releases new national forest management rules

New Forest Planning Rule Seeks to Restore the Nation’s Forests through Science and Collaboration
“USDA and the Forest Service carefully considered nearly 300,000 comments received on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement issued last February, to develop the agency’s preferred course of action for finalizing the planning rule. This is included in the PEIS released today as USDA’s preferred alternative.”
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

Missoulian: Missoula County applying for EPA brownfields grant for asbestos clean-up

EPA: Brownfields and Land Revitalization
“Brownfields are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands.”

Missoulian: Obama to target rising college tuition costs
FACT SHEET: President Obama’s Blueprint for Keeping College Affordable and Within Reach for All Americans
“President Obama has emphasized the responsibility shared by the federal government, states, colleges, and universities to promote access and affordability in higher education, by reining in college costs, providing value for American families, and preparing students with a solid education to succeed in their careers.”

How Will You Pay for College?
“If you need help paying for college, Federal Student Aid can help. Each year, Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, provides more than $150 billion in higher education grants and loans to students attending college—but to qualify, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).”

Missoulian: US cybersecurity efforts trigger privacy concerns
S. 413 Cybersecurity and Internet Freedom Act of 2011
“Cybersecurity and Internet Freedom Act of 2011 - Internet Freedom Act - Declares that neither the President, the Director of the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications, nor any officer or employee of the U.S. government shall have the authority to shut down the Internet.”

S.21 Cyber Security and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2011
“Calls for the enactment of bipartisan legislation to secure the United States against cyber attack, enhance American competitiveness and create jobs in the information technology industry, and protect the identities and sensitive information of American citizens and businesses….”

H.R.3523 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011
“Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add provisions concerning cyber threat intelligence and information sharing. Defines "cyber threat intelligence" as information in the possession of an element of the intelligence community directly pertaining to a vulnerability of, or threat to, a system or network of a government or private entity, including information pertaining to the protection of a system or network from: (1) efforts to degrade, disrupt, or destroy such system or network; or (2) theft or misappropriation of private or government information, intellectual property, or personally identifiable information.”

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Canadian Agreement/ Juvenile Sex Offenders/ Unemployment

Missoulian: Montana sawmills should benefit from continued restrictions on Canadian imports
Department of State: Agreement concerning softwood lumber, with annexes.

Helena Independent Record: Kids can be ordered to register as sex offenders
USA V. JUVENILE MALE
“Defendants argue that SORNA’s registration requirement contravenes the confidentiality provisions of the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (FJDA), 18 U.S.C. § 5031 et seq., and also challenge its constitutionality.”

Helena Independent Record: More seek unemployment aid, but trend is positive
BLS: Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary
“Regional and state unemployment rates were slightly lower in December. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate decreases, 3 states posted rate increases, and 10 states had no rate change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.”

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Missoulian: New federal map for what to plant reflects warming

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
“For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.”

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

State of the Union/ Corporate Campaign Spending/ Medical Pot


Missoulian: Obama to take on economy in State of the Union

State of the Union Address

2011 state of the union speech photo taken by Lawrence Jackson



Missoulian: A.G. asks state Supreme Court to uphold ban on corporate campaign spending
Attorney General Bullock Issues Statement after Lead Plaintiff Appeals Corporate Spending Limit Case to U.S. Supreme Court

If they want to spend – or ‘speak’ – in our elections, all we require is that they use their own money, not that of their stockholders, and that they disclose who they are, by listing their address and occupation when they contribute.”- Attorney General Steve Bullock

Missoulian: Molloy says federal law trumps Montana's medical marijuana law
Ogden Memo
Gonzales et al v. Raich et al
Supremacy Clause
U.S. Constitution Article. VI.
Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Unemployment taxed

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: All 2011 unemployment insurance benefits taxable
Topic 418 - Unemployment Compensation

“Unemployment compensation is includible in gross income. You must report unemployment compensation on line 19 of Form 1040, line 13 of Form 1040A, or line 3 of Form 1040EZ.”