-
Spending on law enforcement expected to rise under Trump
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe 2016 presidential campaign was filled with rhetoric about rising crime rates and the need for improved resources for our law enforcement agencies. The need is truly there, and the rhetoric has long been a part of many political agendas. However, recent events suggest that spending on law enforcement could very well rise this year.
-
What has changed with repeal of internet privacy rules? Not much
Ross Lancaster Science & TechnologyLast year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed new privacy rules under Section 222 of the Communications Act. Hailed as a huge win for consumer advocacy and civil liberties groups, the rules required internet users to give their internet service provider (ISP) an affirmative opt-in if their ISP wanted to access information like location data, app usage and internet browsing histories.
-
66 percent of the world faces water shortages every year
Judith Villarreal Waste Management & EnvironmentalWhile it has been known for some time that the world water crisis is among the top three global problems, we now have a more accurate number and percentage of people who are currently facing this problem. The true scale and severity of water shortages around the globe have emerged from a recent study done by the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
-
Nurses to rally in DC again to promote safe staffing
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationOn May 12, 2016, on an overcast cool morning, a grassroots movement took a stand on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Hundreds of nurses from around the country gathered to bring attention to patient-nurse ratios. But more importantly, they gathered to show their fellow healthcare workers that they would no longer be silent when it came to patient safety.
-
When is training time for nonexempt employees compensable?
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEmployers train employees in countless ways to perform better and for various legal compliance reasons. Such training can be in a one-time session in-house, a series of commercial courses or more formal classes at the local college. Before you schedule your next training session, you should consider that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) may require you to pay nonexempt employees for time (including possibly overtime) spent in the training session.
-
Trump travel ban saga hurts US tourism
Suzanne Mason Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThe U.S. Travel Association refers to the years 2000-2009 as the "The Lost Decade" of international travel. During those years, the U.S. missed out on approximately 68.3 million visitors and $606 billion. Fast forward to 2016, and those numbers have finally bounced back, with U.S. travel exports growing to 11.2 percent — the highest increase since the fallout from Sept. 11.
-
Female mayors taking the chance to shape global cities
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentWhen we talk about shaping the cities of the future to be more inclusive, the question remains of whether those cities should be led by the people whose concerns their policies should reflect. London Mayor Sadiq Khan's outspoken support for feminism has led people to ask whether and how cities themselves can be feminist. But it is a new wave of female mayors, both globally and in the U.S., who are testing out the idea that for diverse citizen needs to be reflected in how are cities are designed and run, city government itself must reflect that diversity.
-
Email Privacy Act: How will the Senate’s decision affect police?
Danielle Manley Law Enforcement, Defense & Security"The reality is regulation often lags behind innovation," said Bill Maris, founder of Google Ventures. Maris might not have been talking about the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) when he made this comment, but he sure nailed it on the head.
-
Immigration efforts add even more stress to police duties
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityOnly last week we reported on the Trump administration's new guidelines for deporting illegal immigrants that have added to fear and panic among undocumented families, and in turn intensified the stress on police departments all over the country. Officers have been quick to allay these fears, saying they are not immigration officers and don't intend to serve as them.
-
What’s the best way to tax online purchases?
Dr. Stephen Schwalbe Civil & GovernmentIt's widely known that consumers today are shopping less frequently in retail stores and more often on internet sites. Shopping online has become a much more efficient and effective experience than shopping at the local mall. Online shopping offers the convenience of a larger number of selections, cheaper prices and — above all — no sales tax. Thus, one of the biggest budget issues facing state governments today is how to collect taxes on Internet sales.
All Civil & Government Articles