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May 28, 2003
GovPro E-Newsletter
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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 20
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.
You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Crown Equipment
CONTENTS
Survey Sites Cities Fiscal Frustrations Civil Libertarians Suspect Surveillance System Letter Supports Site Cleanup by 2025 Sunshine State Welcomes Security Association News of the Weird
FEATURES
CITIES DEAL WITH FISCAL SQUEEZE
A survey of 330 cities and towns by the National League of Cities (NLC) shows that cities are raising fees and taxes while cutting infrastructure spending and city staffs in order to deal with the worst fiscal conditions for municipalities since NLC began its annual survey of city finance managers in 1985.
Survey Highlights include:
More cities are less able to meet their financial needs: Four out of five cities (79 percent) report they are less able to meet financial needs than they were during the previous year. This is a sharp rise compared to NLC's survey in 2002 when 55 percent of cities said they were less able to meet financial needs.
Cities face 4 percent gap between revenue and spending: The gap between revenues and spending is highest in more than a decade. Revenues are down 1 percent over the previous year while spending is up 2.9 percent over, making for a 4 percent gap.
State aid to cities has declined and will continue: Respondents in the NLC survey said they expect revenues traditionally returned to cities and towns by states to decline by an average of 2.1 percent during 2003. Nearly half (45 percent) of the surveyed city managers said the states will take additional action to cut funds that should go to cities.
Cities face a triple squeeze in spending pressure: City financial managers say budgets continue to be squeezed by increased homeland security and public safety spending, the poor economy, and the state budget crisis that plagues most states.
In response, cities increase fees, draw down reserves, and increase taxes. To respond to fiscal pressures, most cities and towns (61 percent) are increasing fees or creating new fees and drawing down their rainy funds (54 percent). Many are also increasing property taxes (25 percent of cities) and other taxes (13 percent of cities).
"Cities and towns keep local economies humming, which are the engines of our national economy," said NLC president John DeStefano Jr., mayor of New Haven, Conn. "The fiscal well-being of cities and towns should not be afterthought in federal policy."
The National League of Cities is the largest national organization for American cities. NLC serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities, towns and villages of all sizes, from New York City to Bee Cave, Texas, which collectively serve 225 million people.
For more information, visit http://www.nlc.org.
PENTAGON DETAILS NEW SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
Washington Post (05/21/03) P. A6; Cha, Ariana Eunjung
The Pentagon released a comprehensive report about the proposed Terrorist Information Awareness (TIA) program (previously known as Total Information Awareness) to legislators, but the details about the computer surveillance system--its projected budget, the technologies and programs involved, etc.--have failed to mollify critics who say TIA could erode citizens' personal privacy and civil liberties. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) stated that the name change came about to get rid of the impression that TIA would be used to profile Americans, when the program's goal is to identify and thwart foreign terrorists before they can launch an attack. The initiative, which has a three-year budget in excess of $50 million, would involve a massive core database of public and private data--airline ticket purchases, financial and medical records, video surveillance, biometric identification, and more--that could be mined to detect signs of potential terrorist activity. The report states, "By augmenting human performance using...computer tools, the TIA Program expects to diminish the amount of time humans must spend discovering information and allow humans more time to focus their powerful intellects on things humans do best--thinking and analysis." Technologies and programs the report says could be incorporated into TIA include FutureMAP, a system that evaluates sentiment on certain topics by studying public market fluctuations. Another speculative TIA component is a "Misinformation Detection" system designed to scan text for indications of fake or misleading data. However, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) agreed that the report "fails to propose any specific new rules to address the [abuse] concerns raised by Congress." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17121-2003May20.html Source: NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary.
CROWN EQUIPMENT Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. Electric lift trucks range from hand pallet trucks to very narrow-aisle (VNA) turret trucks. http://www.crown.com/gsa1
NEWS
DOE, SC, and EPA SUPPORT CLEANUP EFFORTS
The Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of South Carolina officials have signed a letter of support for mutual efforts to reduce risks and accelerate cleanup at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The letter of support symbolizes an agreement by all parties to work together to find opportunities that improve and build on mutual success in the expedited cleanup effort.
"Signing this letter of support is the next step in reducing health risks and expediting cleanup at the Savannah River Site," Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management Jessie Roberson said. "We have now moved beyond a framework to a definite plan with clear objectives."
Last year, the department signed a letter of intent agreeing to work with the state and EPA to complete cleanup activities at SRS by 2025. This agreement was reached under the Department's Environmental Management Accelerated Cleanup Program whose goal is to streamline operations by working with states and regulators to clearly target and reduce the greatest health and environmental cleanup risks at the country's Cold War nuclear weapons production facilities. The letter of support is the next step which moves beyond a shared vision of completing all cleanup by 2025.
HOMELAND SECURITY INDUSTRTIES ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES FIRST STATE CHAPTER IN FLORIDA
The Homeland Security Industries Association (HSIA), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents members offering products, technology, and services that support implementation of homeland security policies, launched the first of its state chapters in Florida during Enterprise Floridas Homeland Security/Defense Business Forum, on May 27th. The HSIA Florida Chapter co-sponsored the event.
"As the first national association focusing solely on the industries contributing to homeland security, HSIA has been interacting at the highest levels of government and the private sector in seeking homeland security solutions. As the first state chapter of HSIA, we plan to extend the leadership to the state and regional level that HSIA has shown nationally and internationally, said Yasmin Tirado-Chiodini, Chair of the Executive Committee of the FL HSIA Chapter, an attorney, and President & CEO of Intelliorg, Inc.
The Florida HSIA Chapter will serve as the national units Southeast Regional Center.
According to Bruce Aitken President of the National HSIA, HSIA was founded to fill a much needed role for coordination between government and the private sector on homeland security issues
For further information on the Homeland Security Industries Association, visit http://www.hsianet.org.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28533/
LINKS
Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://http://www.chdist.com/govt
Safety Storage, the first choice for custom and pre-fabricated hazardous storage buildings. http://www.safetystorage.com
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Biobarrier: Root barrier and weed control. http://www.biobarrier.com
Coneqtec-Universal: Backhoe attachments. http://www.coneqtecuniversal.com
Kano Laboratories: Lubricants, cleaners, rust protection. http://www.kanolabs.com
Playcore: Playground equipment. http://www.playcore.com
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.
You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Crown Equipment
CONTENTS
Survey Sites Cities Fiscal Frustrations Civil Libertarians Suspect Surveillance System Letter Supports Site Cleanup by 2025 Sunshine State Welcomes Security Association News of the Weird
FEATURES
CITIES DEAL WITH FISCAL SQUEEZE
A survey of 330 cities and towns by the National League of Cities (NLC) shows that cities are raising fees and taxes while cutting infrastructure spending and city staffs in order to deal with the worst fiscal conditions for municipalities since NLC began its annual survey of city finance managers in 1985.
Survey Highlights include:
More cities are less able to meet their financial needs: Four out of five cities (79 percent) report they are less able to meet financial needs than they were during the previous year. This is a sharp rise compared to NLC's survey in 2002 when 55 percent of cities said they were less able to meet financial needs.
Cities face 4 percent gap between revenue and spending: The gap between revenues and spending is highest in more than a decade. Revenues are down 1 percent over the previous year while spending is up 2.9 percent over, making for a 4 percent gap.
State aid to cities has declined and will continue: Respondents in the NLC survey said they expect revenues traditionally returned to cities and towns by states to decline by an average of 2.1 percent during 2003. Nearly half (45 percent) of the surveyed city managers said the states will take additional action to cut funds that should go to cities.
Cities face a triple squeeze in spending pressure: City financial managers say budgets continue to be squeezed by increased homeland security and public safety spending, the poor economy, and the state budget crisis that plagues most states.
In response, cities increase fees, draw down reserves, and increase taxes. To respond to fiscal pressures, most cities and towns (61 percent) are increasing fees or creating new fees and drawing down their rainy funds (54 percent). Many are also increasing property taxes (25 percent of cities) and other taxes (13 percent of cities).
"Cities and towns keep local economies humming, which are the engines of our national economy," said NLC president John DeStefano Jr., mayor of New Haven, Conn. "The fiscal well-being of cities and towns should not be afterthought in federal policy."
The National League of Cities is the largest national organization for American cities. NLC serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities, towns and villages of all sizes, from New York City to Bee Cave, Texas, which collectively serve 225 million people.
For more information, visit http://www.nlc.org.
PENTAGON DETAILS NEW SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
Washington Post (05/21/03) P. A6; Cha, Ariana Eunjung
The Pentagon released a comprehensive report about the proposed Terrorist Information Awareness (TIA) program (previously known as Total Information Awareness) to legislators, but the details about the computer surveillance system--its projected budget, the technologies and programs involved, etc.--have failed to mollify critics who say TIA could erode citizens' personal privacy and civil liberties. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) stated that the name change came about to get rid of the impression that TIA would be used to profile Americans, when the program's goal is to identify and thwart foreign terrorists before they can launch an attack. The initiative, which has a three-year budget in excess of $50 million, would involve a massive core database of public and private data--airline ticket purchases, financial and medical records, video surveillance, biometric identification, and more--that could be mined to detect signs of potential terrorist activity. The report states, "By augmenting human performance using...computer tools, the TIA Program expects to diminish the amount of time humans must spend discovering information and allow humans more time to focus their powerful intellects on things humans do best--thinking and analysis." Technologies and programs the report says could be incorporated into TIA include FutureMAP, a system that evaluates sentiment on certain topics by studying public market fluctuations. Another speculative TIA component is a "Misinformation Detection" system designed to scan text for indications of fake or misleading data. However, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) agreed that the report "fails to propose any specific new rules to address the [abuse] concerns raised by Congress." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17121-2003May20.html Source: NLECTC Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology News Summary.
CROWN EQUIPMENT Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. Electric lift trucks range from hand pallet trucks to very narrow-aisle (VNA) turret trucks. http://www.crown.com/gsa1
NEWS
DOE, SC, and EPA SUPPORT CLEANUP EFFORTS
The Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of South Carolina officials have signed a letter of support for mutual efforts to reduce risks and accelerate cleanup at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The letter of support symbolizes an agreement by all parties to work together to find opportunities that improve and build on mutual success in the expedited cleanup effort.
"Signing this letter of support is the next step in reducing health risks and expediting cleanup at the Savannah River Site," Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management Jessie Roberson said. "We have now moved beyond a framework to a definite plan with clear objectives."
Last year, the department signed a letter of intent agreeing to work with the state and EPA to complete cleanup activities at SRS by 2025. This agreement was reached under the Department's Environmental Management Accelerated Cleanup Program whose goal is to streamline operations by working with states and regulators to clearly target and reduce the greatest health and environmental cleanup risks at the country's Cold War nuclear weapons production facilities. The letter of support is the next step which moves beyond a shared vision of completing all cleanup by 2025.
HOMELAND SECURITY INDUSTRTIES ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES FIRST STATE CHAPTER IN FLORIDA
The Homeland Security Industries Association (HSIA), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents members offering products, technology, and services that support implementation of homeland security policies, launched the first of its state chapters in Florida during Enterprise Floridas Homeland Security/Defense Business Forum, on May 27th. The HSIA Florida Chapter co-sponsored the event.
"As the first national association focusing solely on the industries contributing to homeland security, HSIA has been interacting at the highest levels of government and the private sector in seeking homeland security solutions. As the first state chapter of HSIA, we plan to extend the leadership to the state and regional level that HSIA has shown nationally and internationally, said Yasmin Tirado-Chiodini, Chair of the Executive Committee of the FL HSIA Chapter, an attorney, and President & CEO of Intelliorg, Inc.
The Florida HSIA Chapter will serve as the national units Southeast Regional Center.
According to Bruce Aitken President of the National HSIA, HSIA was founded to fill a much needed role for coordination between government and the private sector on homeland security issues
For further information on the Homeland Security Industries Association, visit http://www.hsianet.org.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28533/
LINKS
Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://http://www.chdist.com/govt
Safety Storage, the first choice for custom and pre-fabricated hazardous storage buildings. http://www.safetystorage.com
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Biobarrier: Root barrier and weed control. http://www.biobarrier.com
Coneqtec-Universal: Backhoe attachments. http://www.coneqtecuniversal.com
Kano Laboratories: Lubricants, cleaners, rust protection. http://www.kanolabs.com
Playcore: Playground equipment. http://www.playcore.com
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
