Every Wednesday, The Ferguson Group blog will be posting a series of articles published over the previous week that discuss topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!
Almost the Same Cost, Spend Differently: Comparing Farm Bills in House, Senate Committees
Even though both the House and Senate Farm Bill drafts look to spend about $500 billion over a five-year period, there are some major differences on how the money will be allocated. See how the different bills deal with food stamps, direct payments, crop insurance, price protection and food aid. Read More…
On Tech Visas, Orrin Hatch Holds Some Cards
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a major tech industry advocate, has been a supporter of H-1B visas and is being seen as a potential swing vote on the Gang of Eight immigration bill. With his leverage, Hatch is pushing for his tech-friendly amendments in the bill, and has stated that he will oppose the legislation without his provisions. Read More…
Senate Votes to Extend Federal Law Overseeing Water Resources Projects
The Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA) has jumped its first major hurtle, sailing through the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 83-14. The comprehensive water bill will promote imperative investments in water infrastructure projects in the new earmark-ban era. This bill is the first water bill to be passed by the Senate since 2007. Read More…
House Panel Passes $73.3B Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Bill
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs moved its first bill from the subcommittee on May 15th. The $73.3 billion appropriations bill looks to provide $9.9 billion for military construction projects and $63.1 billion of discretionary spending to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read More…
Has High-Speed Rail Been Derailed?
In 2008, the Administration made high-speed rail a national priority. However, with the lack of funding and differing opinions amongst Congress, the future of high-speed rail in California and the rest of the United States is slowly becoming an intangible vision. Read More…
Lower Health Care Costs May Last
Through a recent study, Harvard economists have predicted that the lagging growth of U.S. health care costs could mean significantly less spending on Medicare, translating in $770 billion worth of savings over the next decade. The economists point to several factors that explain the recent downshift in growth and how this relates to projected estimates of health care costs by the Congressional Budget Office and Medicare and Medicaid Services. Read More…
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