IWS Documented News DAILY POSTINGS: July 2009

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Monthly Labor Review Online
July 2009
Vol. 132, Number 7
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/home.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/mlr200907.pdf
[full-text, 146 pages]

A portrait of the youth labor market in 13 countries, 19802007
Gary Martin
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/art1full.pdf
[full-text, 19 pages]

A relatively high unemployment rate for young people
has been a persistent problem in industrialized countries
in recent decades; still, the number of youths who are
unemployed has been falling with declining youth
populations and more years spent in education.

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 3:26 PM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Monthly Labor Review Online
July 2009
Vol. 132, Number 7
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/home.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/mlr200907.pdf
[full-text, 146 pages]

A portrait of the youth labor market in 13 countries, 19802007

Gary Martin

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/art1full.pdf

[full-text, 19 pages]

A relatively high unemployment rate for young people

has been a persistent problem in industrialized countries

in recent decades; still, the number of youths who are

unemployed has been falling with declining youth

populations and more years spent in education.

Producer prices reverse course in 2008

Joseph Kowal, William Snyders, Antonio Lombardozzi, and Lana Borgie

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/art2full.pdf

[full-text, 24 pages]

After surging in 2007 and the first 7 months of 2008,

prices for energy goods plummeted during the final 5 months of the year;

similarly, inflation in food prices slowed significantly in 2008,

following a steep runup in 2007 and early-to-mid 2008

Measuring time spent in unpaid household work: results from the ATUS

Rachel Krantz-Kent

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/art3full.pdf

[full-text, 14 pages]

Time-use data show that on average Americans spend more than 20 hours per week working for their own household without pay on tasks that might be done by a paid worker; women spend more time at such unpaid household work

Nonfamily youth temporarily employed in agriculture: a research summary

John C. Becker, Fern K. Willits, Anastasia Snyder, Dennis K. Murphy, James Hilton, Andrea Ryan, and Prem Bahandari

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/07/art4full.pdf

[full-text, 7 pages]

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 3:24 PM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

NATIONAL INCOME AND PRODUCT ACCOUNTS [31 July 2009]
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: SECOND QUARTER 2009 (ADVANCE ESTIMATE)
COMPREHENSIVE REVISION: 1929 THROUGH FIRST QUARTER 2009
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/gdp2q09_adv.htm
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/pdf/gdp2q09_adv.pdf
[full-text, 51 pages]
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/xls/gdp2q09_adv.xls
[spreadsheet]
and
Highlights
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/pdf/gdp2q09_adv_fax.pdf

Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property
located in the United States -- decreased at an annual rate of 1.0 percent in the second quarter of 2009,
(that is, from the first quarter to the second), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau
of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP decreased 6.4 percent.

      The Bureau emphasized that the second-quarter advance estimate released today is based on
source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency (see the box on page
3). The "second" estimate for the second quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on
August 27, 2009.
______________
BOX.--

     The estimates released today reflect the results of the comprehensive (or benchmark) revision
of the national income and product accounts (NIPAs). More information on the revision is available
on BEA's Web site at www.bea.gov/national/an1.htm, including links to an article in the March
2009 issue of the Survey of Current Business that discussed the changes in definitions and
presentation that have been implemented in the revision and to an article in the May Survey that
described the changes in statistical methods. The September Survey will contain an article that
describes the results of the revision in detail. The Web site also contains FAQs and other
information about the revision.
______________
FOOTNOTE.--Quarterly estimates are expressed at seasonally adjusted annual rates, unless otherwise
specified. Quarter-to-quarter dollar changes are differences between these published estimates. Percent
changes are calculated from unrounded data and are annualized. "Real" estimates are in chained (2005)
dollars. Price indexes are chain-type measures.

      This news release is available on BEA's Web site along with the < http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/pdf/tech2q09_adv.pdf > Technical Note and < http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2009/pdf/gdp2q09_adv_fax.pdf > Highlights
related to this release.
______________

      The decrease in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected negative contributions from
nonresidential fixed investment, personal consumption expenditures (PCE), residential fixed investment,
private inventory investment, and exports that were partly offset by positive contributions from federal
government spending and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the
calculation of GDP, decreased.

AND MUCH MORE...including TABLES....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 2:51 PM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

EUROPA - Public Opinion analysis - Eurobarometer Special Surveys
SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER 308

THE EUROPEANS IN 2009 [31 July 2009]
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_en.htm
or
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_308_en.pdf
[full-text, 144 pages]

Annexes
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_308_anx.pdf

Factsheets
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_308_factsheets.zip

[excerpt]
The newest results show that the 'feel-bad factor' is so intense that one of the most
resilient indicators of the Eurobarometer - life satisfaction - is beginning to show
cracks. Furthermore, the survey indicates that the economic crisis may be widening
the geographical gap in living standards between the Northern and Western
European countries and those in the South and East of Europe survey. Already
vulnerable groups - in particular the unemployed - are most strongly hit by the
crisis. In summary, the economic crisis has an extreme impact on life in the
European Union.

Table of contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................3
PART I:.............................................................................................................7
LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ........................................................................7
I. LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ..............................................................8
1. PERSONAL ASPECTS........................................................................9
1.1 The current personal situation of Europeans ...................................9
1.2 Assessment of the personal financial situation ..............................18
1.3 Expectations for the short-term future ..........................................34
1.4 Personal concerns of Europeans....................................................37
2. ECONOMIC ASPECTS......................................................................42
2.1 Assessment of the current situation ..............................................42
2.2 Expectations for the short-term future ..........................................51
2.3 Most important national concerns .................................................58
2.4 Direction in which things are going ...............................................66
2.5 Priority actions to help overcome the economic crisis....................72
2.6 The role of the EU in the global economic crisis .............................75

PART II: .........................................................................................................83
THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS .....................................................83
II. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS ...........................................84
1. ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.......................................85
1.1 Support for membership of the European Union ............................85
1.2 The perceived benefits of membership ..........................................89
1.3 Trust in the European Union..........................................................94
1.4 The image of the European Union..................................................98
2. THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS ...................................................102
2.1 The European Parliament ............................................................102
2.2 The European Commission ..........................................................107
2.3 The European Central Bank .........................................................111

3. THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY AND TOMORROW.........................115
3.1 The perception of the European Union's role at national level......115
3.2 Important aspects for strengthening the EU in the future............122
3.3 The life of future generations ......................................................126
4. INFORMATION AND MEDIA .........................................................129
4.1 Trust in information media ..........................................................129
4.2 Preferred information media for political matters........................133
CONCLUSION................................................................................................138
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................141

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 10:56 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

EUROPA - Public Opinion analysis - Eurobarometer Special Surveys

European Employment and Social Policy [31 July 2009]
Summary
Fieldwork: June 2009
Publication: July 2009
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_en.htm
or
SUMMARY
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_316_sum_en.pdf
[full-text, 88 pages]

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 2
1. EUROPEANS' EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ECONOMIC
CRISIS.......................................................................................... 5
1.1 The employment situation .............................................................. 5
1.3 Europeans feel the worst of the economic crisis is yet to come .... 14
1.4 Expectations about the level of unemployment insurance ............ 16
2. EUROPEANS' FUTURE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS ........................ 18
2.1 Europeans' confidence in having or finding a job has declined ..... 18
2.2 The importance of qualifications and professional experience...... 24
2.3 Europeans are more geographically mobile .................................. 27
3. THE ROLE OF THE EU................................................................... 31
3.1 Awareness of the European Social Fund and European Globalisation
Adjustment Fund.......................................................................... 31
3.2 More Europeans feel the ESF's budget allocation is too little ........ 33
3.3 The impact of the EU on employment and social affairs ................ 35
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................. 39
ANNEXES
Technical note
Tables
Questionnaire

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 10:50 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

U.S. Commercial Service

DOING BUSINESS IN IRELAND: A COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE FOR U.S. COMPANIES 2009 [23 July 2009]
http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_2101325.pdf
[full-text, 82 pages]

Chapter 1: Doing Business In Ireland
Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment
Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services
Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment
Chapter 5: Trade Regulations and Standards
Chapter 6: Investment Climate
Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing
Chapter 8: Business Travel
Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events
Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 9:26 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Economic Survey of Mexico 2009 [30 July 2009]
http://www.oecd.org/document/53/0,3343,en_2649_33733_43393781_1_1_1_1,00.html
and
Executive Summary
http://www.oecd.org/document/1/0,3343,en_2649_33733_43393921_1_1_1_1,00.html

POLICY BRIEF
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/23/28/43371045.pdf
[full-text, 12 pages]

[excerpt]
Despite improved fundamentals, Mexico has not escaped the world
economic recession. The global manufacturing downturn and the collapse
of trade, notably with the United States, have depressed the real sector.
Reduced availability of credit has started to bear on activity, although the
financial sector has so far weathered the global crisis. Low oil prices are
putting pressure on budget revenue, despite a welcome hedging this year.
The change of sentiment of international investors towards emerging-market
borrowers has led to reduced net capital inflows and a large depreciation
of the currency. The outbreak of influenza is likely to also contribute to the
downturn. Thus, growth is set to be negative this year and recover only
gradually in 2010. The authorities have responded with liquidity measures,
lower interest rates, foreign currency interventions and a fiscal stimulus. But
there might be room for more policy action.

AND MUCH MORE....including CHARTS....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 9:14 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

National Center for Education Statistics
STATS in BRIEF

Students Who Study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Postsecondary Education [29 July 2009]
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009161
or
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009161.pdf
[full-text, 25 pages]

Description:
Using data from the 1995-96 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:96/01), this Statistics in Brief focuses on undergraduates who enter STEM programs and examines their characteristics and postsecondary outcomes (persistence and degree completion) several years after beginning postsecondary education. Findings include:

   * Twenty-three percent of 199596 beginning postsecondary students had majored in a STEM field at some point between their initial enrollment in 199596 and about 6 years later, as of 2001.
   * STEM entrants generally did better than non-STEM entrants in terms of bachelor's degree attainment and overall persistence.
   * Among all STEM entrants between 199596 and 2001, some 53 percent persisted in a STEM field by either completing a degree in a STEM field or staying enrolled in a STEM field, and the remaining 47 percent left STEM fields by either switching to a non-STEM field or leaving postsecondary education without earning any credential.

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 9:04 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

CBO's Economic Forecasting Record: 2009 Update [31 July 2009]
July 2009
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=10484
or
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/104xx/doc10484/07-30-ForecastingRecord2.pdf
[full-text, 48 pages]

Contents

Choice of Forecasts for the Evaluation 1
Measuring the Quality of Forecasts 1
Statistical Bias 2
Accuracy 2
Alternative Measures of Forecast Quality 2
Limitations of Forecast Evaluations 2
The Effects of Business Cycles, Changes in the Trend Rate of Productivity Growth, and
Oil Price Shocks 3
CBO's Forecasting Record 4
Two-Year Forecasts 5
Five-Year Projections 9
Appendix: Historical and Forecast Data 35

Tables
1. Summary Measures of Performance for Two-Year Average Forecasts 11
2. Summary Measures of Performance for Five-Year Average Projections 12
3. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Average Growth Rates for Real Output 13
4. Comparison of CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Average Growth Rates for Nominal Output 15
5. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Average Inflation in the Consumer Price Index 17
6. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Average Nominal Interest Rates on Three-Month Treasury Bills 19
7. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Averages for Nominal Long-Term Interest Rates 21
8. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of Two-Year Average Real Interest Rates on Three-Month Treasury Bills 22
9. CBO's, Blue Chip's, and the Administration's Forecasts of the Difference Between Two-Year Average Inflation in the CPI and in the GNP or GDP Price Index 24
10. CBO�s and the Administration�s Forecasts of the Two-Year Change in Wage and Salary Disbursements Plus Corporate Book Profits as a Share of Output 26
11. CBO�s, Blue Chip�s, and the Administration�s Projections of Five-Year Average Growth Rates for Real Output 28
12. CBO�s, Blue Chip�s, and the Administration�s Projections of Five-Year Average Growth Rates for Nominal Output 30
13. Comparison of CBO�s, Blue Chip�s, and the Administration�s Projections of the Difference Between Five-Year Average Inflation in the CPI and in the GNP or GDP Price Index 32
14. CBO�s and the Administration�s Projections of the Five-Year Change in Wage and Salary Disbursements Plus Corporate Profits as a Share of Output 34

Figure
1. Oil Price Fluctuations, 1967 to 2008 4

Box
1. How Data Revisions Can Affect the Interpretation of Forecasting Errors 6

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:55 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

BLS Editor's Desk
July 31, 2009 (The Editor's Desk is updated each business day.)

Women's-to-men's earnings ratio, 1979-2008 [31 July 2009]
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2009/jul/wk4/art05.htm

In 2008, women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median weekly earnings that were about 80 percent of the median for their male counterparts: median weekly wages were $638 for women, $798 for men. In 1979, the first year for which comparable earnings data are available, women earned about 62 percent as much as men.

[CHART]

After a gradual rise in the 1980s and 1990s, the women's-to-men's earnings ratio (for all workers age 16 and over) peaked at 81 percent in 2005 and 2006.

Between 1979 and 2008, the earnings gap between women and men narrowed for most age groups. The women's-to-men's earnings ratio among 25-to-34-year-olds rose from 68 percent in 1979 to 89 percent in 2008, and the ratio for 45-to-54-year-olds increased from 57 percent to 75 percent.

The earnings ratios for teenagers, 87 percent in 2008, and for workers aged 65 and older, 75 percent in 2008, fluctuated from 1979 to 2008, but their long-term trends have been essentially flat.

These earnings data are from the < http://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm> Current Population Survey. More statistics on this and related subjects can be found in "Highlights of Women's Earnings in 2008" (< http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2008.pdf> PDF), BLS Report 1017

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:47 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX - JUNE 2009 [31 July 2009]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/eci.nr0.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/eci.pdf
[full-text, 21 pages]

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period
ending June 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries--which make up about
70 percent of compensation--also increased 0.4 percent for the 3-month period ending June 2009. Benefit costs--which
make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation--increased 0.3 percent.

Civilian Worker Data

     Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2009. This
was smaller than the 3.1 percent increase for the 12-month period ending in June 2008. Wages and salaries increased
1.8 percent for the current 12-month period, slowing from a 3.2 percent increase for the 12-month period ending in
June 2008. Benefit costs rose 1.8 percent, down from a 2.9 percent increase for the 12-month period ending June 2008.

Private Industry Worker Data

     Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 1.5 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2009.
This is the smallest percent change published for this series since it began in 1980. The deceleration of cost
increases was evident in both wages and salaries as well as benefits, registering the smallest increases published
in the series history. The wage and salary series, which began in 1975, increased 1.6 percent for the current 12-month
period. The cost of benefits, which has been measured since 1980, increased 1.3 percent for the 12-month period ending
June 2009. Employer costs for health benefits increased 4.4 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2009. In June
2008, the 12-month percent change was 4.2 percent.

     Among occupational groups, compensation cost increases for private industry workers for the 12-month period ending
June 2009 ranged from 0.7 percent for sales and office workers to 2.0 percent for both production, transportation, and
material moving occupations and service occupations.

     Among industries, compensation cost increases for private industry workers for the current 12-month period ranged
from 0.6 percent for financial activities to 2.5 percent for the leisure and hospitality industry.

     The Employment Cost Index for September 2009 is scheduled to be released on Friday, October 30, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

AND MUCH MORE...including CHARTS & TABLES....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:42 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Energy Information Administration (EIA)

CHINA Energy Data [31 July 2009]
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/China/Background.html
Click on topics in right margin for other parts of the report
or go to
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/China/pdf.pdf
[full-text, 20 pages]

[excerpt]
...In light of the government's goals for energy security and energy efficiency, China is using its stimulus package through vehicles such as tax breaks, advantageous lending rates, and a foreign exchange fund to encourage state-owned oil companies to expand upstream investments abroad, increase downstream refining capacity, and augment crude and oil product stockpiles. Analysts anticipate the fiscal stimulus will translate into economic development in the second half of 2009 and 2010 and generate at least a moderate increase of domestic consumption including demand for energy commodities.

Despite the economic slowdown in exports and domestic demand in the past year, China's demand for energy remains high. China has emerged from being a net oil exporter in the early 1990s to become the world's third-largest net importer of oil in 2006. Natural gas usage in China has also increased rapidly in recent years, and China has looked to raise natural gas imports via pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG). China is also the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, an important factor in world energy markets.

Coal supplied the vast majority (70 percent) of China's total energy consumption requirements in 2006. Oil is the second-largest source, accounting for 20 percent of the country's total energy consumption. While China has made an effort to diversify its energy supplies, hydroelectric sources (6 percent), natural gas (3 percent), and nuclear power (1 percent) account for relatively small amounts of China's energy consumption mix.

AND MUCH MORE...including MAPS, CHARTS, TABLES....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:39 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: By special arrangement with the BAKER & McKENZIE Law Firm, the Catherwood Library at the ILR School (Industrial & Labor Relations) makes these law firm produced publications available via the Internet free of charge for research, study and practice. This is made possible by the technology incorporated in the DigitalCommons@ILR tool -- see http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/

LAW FIRMS -- Baker & McKenzie Publications
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/

Manuscripts from 2009

China Employment Law Update, Baker & McKenzie

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/53

Global Mobility Handbook, Baker & McKenzie

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/51

The Global Employer: How to Respond to a Global Crisis, Baker & McKenzie

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/52

Worldwide Guide to Termination, Employment Discrimination, and Workplace Harassment Laws, Baker & McKenzie

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/50

Worldwide Guide to Trade Unions and Works Councils, Baker & McKenzie

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/lawfirms/49

AND MUCH MORE.....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 4:17 PM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Federal Citizen Information Center

CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK 2009 & WEBSITE [July 2009]
http://www.consumeraction.gov/
or
http://www.consumeraction.gov/viewpdf.shtml
[get PDF by part of publication]
or
http://www.consumeraction.gov/pdfs/2009_Handbook_Web_Version.pdf
[full-text, 182 pages]

Press Release July 2009
YOUR SECRET WEAPON AGAINST BAD SERVICE
Free 2009 Consumer Action Handbook now available
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/press/nfccah09.htm

When the economy is uncertain, it's even more important to watch every dime. To help you get the most bang for your buck, avoid credit problems, and resolve shopping hassles, order the 2009 edition of the free Consumer Action Handbook from the Federal Citizen Information Center.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year's Consumer Action Handbook continues to provide top-notch tips and advice for common consumer issues like < http://consumeraction.gov/caw_automobiles_buying_used_general.shtml > buying a car, < http://consumeraction.gov/caw_credit_tips_improving.shtml> building good credit and < http://consumeraction.gov/caw_privacy_general_tips.shtml> protecting your privacy. Now you'll also find expanded < http://consumeraction.gov/military.shtml> resources for military personnel, the latest facts on < http://consumeraction.gov/caw_housing_buying.shtml> buying a home and even more < http://consumeraction.gov/corpormain.shtml> contact information for major companies.

Has an airline ever damaged your luggage? Ever bought something online or by phone and it was nothing like they promised? Turn to the Consumer Action Handbook's < http://consumeraction.gov/caw_problems_sample_complaint.shtml>sample complaint letter. It shows you how to vent effectively about the situation and get the matter resolved. You can get the right address for the company in the Handbook's "Consumer Contacts" sectionfeaturing thousands of consumer contacts at businesses, federal agencies, state and local consumer offices, and national consumer organizations.

The Consumer Action Handbook is also at your service online at http://www.consumeraction.gov. Search the website to easily access and download all of the information in the printed edition, plus keep up with the latest consumer news and product recalls.

Spanish speakers can get the information they need from the Consumer Action Handbook's companion publication: the Guía del Consumidor. Not just a translation of the Handbook, the Guía and its website http://www.consumidor.gov are created in Spanish to address consumer issues important to the Hispanic community.

A shaky economy reminds you of the importance of watching your money. Turn to the Consumer Action Handbook to help you protect your hard-earned cash.

There are three easy ways to get your free copy of the 2009 Consumer Action Handbook:
   * Send your name and address to Handbook, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
   * Visit http://www.consumeraction.gov and click on "Order Handbook."
   * Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time and ask for the Handbook.

####
To receive New for Consumers releases by e-mail, send a request to < mailto:jessica.milcetich@gsa.gov> jessica.milcetich(at)gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.

GSA #2935

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 3:52 PM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Census

COUNTY BUSINESS PATTERNS: 2007 [30 July 2009]
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/index.html

NOTE: At the page above, one also has access to
Metro Business Patterns (MBP)
ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP)

Press Release
U.S. Business Employers Add 100,000 Establishments in 2007, Census Bureau Reports [30 July 2009]
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/014105.html

     United States businesses with employees added more than 100,000 establishments in 2007, bringing the total number to 7.7 million and adding more than 650,000 employees to their payrolls. Overall, employees of businesses in the United States earned more than $5 trillion in annual payroll in 2007, up from $4.8 trillion in 2006.

     These economic numbers come from < http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/index.html> County Business Patterns: 2007, an annual report that contains data covering establishments with paid employees at the national and state levels, and in more than 3,100 counties. An establishment is a single physical location at which business is conducted or services or industrial operations are performed. The report provides data on the number of establishments, employees, and quarterly and annual payroll for most of the 1,100 industries identified by the North American Industry Classification System.

     Among the counties with the most establishments, Maricopa, Ariz., added 3,058 establishments; Los Angeles, Calif., added 3,027 establishments; and Orange, Calif., added 1,363 establishments.

     A sampling of the 50 counties with the most employees showed average annual per-employee payrolls of $79,848 in Santa Clara, Calif.; $55,477 in Fulton, Ga.; and $53,134 in Hennepin, Minn.

     Industry findings:

     The number of law offices increased by more than 850 between 2006 and 2007, bringing the national total to 176,009. California had the most law offices with 21,417, followed by Florida with 15,612 and New York with 13,460. A sampling of counties across the United States showed King, Wash., with 1,637 law offices; Clark, Nev., with 1,039; and Wayne, Mich., with 611.

     The landscaping services industry added 2,713 locations between 2006 and 2007, bringing the U.S. total to 93,121. The state with the highest average payroll per employee in this industry was Rhode Island ($55,595), followed by Massachusetts ($54,866) and Connecticut ($48,776).

     Among counties with the most landscaping establishments, the average annual payroll per employee in Cook, Ill., was $50,517, while Montgomery, Pa., had an average annual payroll of $41,584, and St. Louis, Mo., had an average of $32,360 in 2007.

     County Business Patterns excludes self-employed people, employees of private households, railroad employees, agriculture production workers and most government employees. Information on businesses without paid employees will be released this year as part of the Nonemployer Statistics report. Data for metropolitan statistical areas and five-digit ZIP codes also will be released this year.

-X-

County Business Patterns defines employment as all full- and part-time employees who were on the payroll during the pay period that includes March 12. Data are obtained from Census Bureau reports and administrative records from other federal agencies. Quality assurance procedures are applied to all phases of collection, processing and tabulation to minimize errors. The data are subject to error from miscoding and estimation for missing or misreported data. Values associated with each establishment are slightly modified to protect the confidentiality of the location. Further information about methodology and data limitations is available at http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/methodology.htm

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 10:08 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT [30 July 2009]
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA

In the week ending July 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 584,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 559,000. The 4-week moving average was 559,000, a decrease of 8,250 from the previous week's revised average of 567,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.7 percent for the week ending July 18, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.7 percent.

The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending July 18 was 6,197,000, a decrease of 54,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 6,251,000. The 4-week moving average was 6,416,250, a decrease of 131,750 from the preceding week's revised average of 6,548,000.

The fiscal year-to-date average for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment for all programs is 5.497 million.

AND MUCH MORE...including TABLES....

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:43 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Good Jobs First

Show Us the Stimulus: An Evaluation of State Government Recovery Act Websites [29 July 2009]
by Philip Mattera and Leigh McIlvaine, Caitlin Lacy, Michelle Lee & Thomas Cafcas
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/news/article.cfm?id=396
or
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/pdf/ARRAwebreport.pdf
[full-text, 25 pages]

[excerpt]
In this report, released in July 2009, Good Jobs First evaluates the websites created by state governments to highlight their role in the implementation of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The appendices below provide details on how we derived our scores for each state.

Press Release 29 July 2009
Report: Most States Are Failing to Use the Web Effectively to Inform Taxpayers About Economic Stimulus Spending
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/pdf/ARRAwebpressrelease.pdf

Washington, DC, July 29, 2009While some states have created impressive websites to disseminate information about their share of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), most are failing to make effective use of online technology to educate taxpayers about the impact of economic stimulus spending. This is the finding of Show Us the Stimulus, a report released today by Good Jobs First, a non-profit research center based in Washington, DC.

The full text of the report as well as state-specific appendices can be found on the Good Jobs First website at www.goodjobsfirst.org/stimulusweb.cfm.

"Many states are failing to support President Obama's vow that the Recovery Act will be carried out with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability," said Good Jobs First executive director Greg LeRoy. "By failing to use broadly available web tools, they are making it more difficult to measure the success of ARRA in mitigating the effects of the recession."

The Good Jobs First study examines the quality and quantity of disclosure by official state websites on the many ways ARRA funding is flowing through state governments to communities, organizations and individuals. Looking at both spending programs and individual projects, it evaluates the general ARRA websites that all states have created as well as their website reporting specifically on ARRA highway projects. Based on ten different criteria, each state (and the District of Columbia) is graded twice on a scale of 0 to 100.

"Given the Recovery Act's high profile, we expected better results, but most state ARRA sites simply do not measure up," said Philip Mattera, research director of Good Jobs First and principal author of the report. "The challenge is not insurmountable," he added. "States such as Maryland, Colorado and Washington are doing a very good job in conveying vital information about stimulus spending and are leading the way in establishing best practices for state ARRA disclosure."

Six states score 50 or better for their main ARRA site: Maryland (80), Colorado (68), Washington (63), West Virginia (60), New York (53) and Pennsylvania (50). Thirteen states score 50 or better for their highway reporting, led by Maryland (75), Washington (73), Colorado (65) and Nebraska (60). The average score for the ARRA websites is 28, and for highway reporting 38.

Most states that score poorly for their main ARRA website do better in highway reporting, but five score very low for both: Alabama, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky and Vermont. Low-scoring states are ones that provide few specifics on how ARRA money is being used in the state. Illinois, which gets a zero in both categories, has only national figures and nothing on how much is being spent in the state.
Here are highlights of the state scoring for specific criteria:

The paramount objective of the Recovery Act is job creation and retention. Yet only four statesColorado, Maryland, Washington and West Virginiacurrently provide any employment data for individual projects on their main ARRA site. Eighteen states do so in their highway reporting.

Most states do a good job of providing information on the categories of ARRA spending. Forty-two states display the data for broad categories (energy, housing, transportation, etc.), and 37 of these also provide details on specific programs.

Geographic breakdowns are less common than data on program areas. Eighteen states provide the information, and in only three cases (Maine, New Mexico and Virginia) does the website show the information both for each county individually and for all counties side-by-side for comparison purposes.

Very few states juxtapose the geographic distribution of stimulus spending with patterns of economic distress, such as county unemployment rates or foreclosure levels.

Apart from county dollar totals, state residents may be interested to know where individual ARRA projects such as the repaving of a road or repair of a school building are taking place. Eleven states provide project maps on their main ARRA website, while 30 provide maps of ARRA highway projects.

Only 10 states provide contractor names and dollar amounts on their ARRA website. The results are better in highway reporting, where 29 states have both contractor names and dollar figures.

Put a summary of key information about ARRA spending at the top of the home page of the site. A clear bar graph, pie chart or table showing the main spending flows goes a long way in helping the user begin to see what the Recovery Act is all about. There should be clear links to pages with more details about the various programs.

Provide a map or a table showing how overall ARRA spending and the amounts in key categories are being distributed geographically around the state.

Along with information on spending streams, report on individual projects being funded by those programs. Where possible, display the location of the projects on maps. Interactive displays that allow one to drill down for more details are better than static PDF maps.

For projects carried out by private contractors, be open about the contract award process and the identity of the companies that win bidding competitions. Post the bids and the details, including the full text of the contract awarded to the winner.

While the federal government's Council of Economic Advisers is responsible for estimating the overall employment impacts of ARRA and the Recovery.gov website will report jobs data on some (but not all) individual projects, state ARRA sites should also make an effort to include employment data in their project reporting.

ARRA sites should provide readily accessible information about the ways that individuals, organizations and businesses can apply for stimulus grants and contracts.

"The availability of an effective state ARRA website is more than a taxpayer right during a period of high public interest in the economy," Mattera said. "These websites are helping shape public attitudes toward the stimulus and could play a significant role in future debates over government's role in the economy."

The production of this report is part of the ongoing work of Good Jobs First on transparency and accountability issues relating to the Recovery Act. Good Jobs First co-chairs the Coalition for An Accountable Recovery ( www.coalitionforanaccountablerecovery.org), which works on these issues at the federal level, and we coordinate States for a Transparent and Accountable Recovery, or STAR Coalition ( www.accountablerecovery.org), which works with state-level organizations.
-30-

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
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# posted by SBasefsky : 3:50 PM

IWS Documented News DAILY POSTINGS

Friday, July 31, 2009

[IWS] BLS: PORTRAIT OF YOUTH LABOR MARKETS in 13 COUNTRIES, 1980-2007 [31 July 2009]

[IWS] BLS: MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, July 2009, Vol. 132, No. 7 [31 July 2009]

[IWS] BEA: NAT'L INCOME & PRODUCT ACCOUNTS COMPREHENSIVE REVISION 1929 to 1st Qtr. 2009 & GDP 2nd Qtr. (Adv. Est.) [31 July 2009]

[IWS] Eurobarometer SPECIAL SURVEY--EUROPEANS in 2009 [31 July 2009]

[IWS] Eurobarometer SPECIAL SURVEY - EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL POLICY [31 July 2009]

[IWS] DOING BUSINESS in IRELAND 2009: COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE [23 July 2009]

[IWS] OECD ECONOMIC SURVEY of MEXICO 2009 [30 July 2009]

[IWS] NCES: STUDENTS WHO STUDY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS (STEM) IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION [29 July 2009]

[IWS] CBO'S ECONOMIC FORECASTING RECORD: 2009 UPDATE [31 July 2009]

[IWS] BLS: WOMEN'S-TO-MEN'S EARNINGS RATIO 1979-2008 [31 July 2009]

[IWS] BLS: EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX - JUNE 2009 [31 July 2009]

[IWS] EIA: CHINA ENERGY DATA [31 July 2009]

Thursday, July 30, 2009

[IWS] ILR School:(FREE) LAW FIRM Pubs -- Baker & McKenzie

[IWS] CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK 2009 & WEBSITE [July 2009]

[IWS] Census: COUNTY BUSINESS PATTERNS: 2007 [30 July 2009]

[IWS] ETA: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT [30 July 2009]

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

[IWS] SHOW US THE STIMULUS: AN EVALUATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT RECOVERY ACT WEBSITES [29 July 2009]

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