Tuesday, August 18, 2009

NARA blog from Free Government Information (FGI) blogs by jajacobs The National Archives has started a blog, NARAtions, because, "we are hoping to talk with you about online public access to the records held by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)." (Hat tip to Kate!) 7:46:56 PM     Will We Have 5 Days of Mail Delivery? The issue is still on the table, you know. The Postal Service is pursuing the idea of cutting back to a 5-day mail delivery schedule in order to save money. In spite of a postal rate increase earlier this year and the reduction of overhead costs, the Postal Service is projecting a 7 billion dollar loss this fiscal year. It appears that the problem is simply a drop in mail volume. We're using commercial services to deliver packages, paying our bills online, sending e-mails and e-vites to our friends and family instead of the old snail mail. This change in our communication habits is having a big impact at the post office. Personally, the idea of no mail delivery on Saturday doesn't much bother me. My mail consists mainly of catalogs I don't want, junk mail and an occasional bill. It's rare to find a card or letter in the mailbox anymore, so I really don't think I will miss Saturday mail delivery, if it's eliminated. Maybe I'm missing something and Saturday mail delivery is more important than I think. I wonder though. In the modern era, is 6-day mail delivery still a necessity, or is it a comforting holdover from our past? If you've got a strong opinion on the matter, I encourage you to contact your representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate to let them know how important it is to you. - Joanne [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 1:31:32 PM     Various Programs In Jeapardy As Legislature Reviews Department of Education Budget. Possible cuts The Michigan Legislature has yet to decide on a budget for the 2010 fiscal year, but here are some programs in danger, based on the Senate version of the budget. • Early childhood programs: The Senate cut $103.5 million in School Readiness grants. That would effectively end state funding for early childhood programs for at-risk children and leave thousands without a preschool option. • The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy: This program is a last-chance, military-style academy in Battle Creek for teens ages 16 to 19 who are at risk of dropping out. The Senate has proposed cutting $1.3 million. The academy could close. • Assistance for at-risk students in Dearborn Public Schools: The district could lose $5.9 million in funding for at-risk students. • Online learning: The Senate proposed eliminating $2.3 million. For the full article, see Lori Higgins, "Parents, educators seek fixes for funding; Financially stretched districts cut and cut, just to stay afloat", Detroit Free Press, August 18, 2009. [Red Tape Blog] 1:27:39 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 9/1/2009; 11:47:41 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien