December Index Page
NAEP’s 2011 National Report Card Shows Overall Lack of Progress in Closing Achievement Gaps
Monday, December 5, 2011
Despite some signs of progress nationally on improving student reading and math skills, racial, ethnic and income-based achievement gaps persist, according to analysis of the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “The Nation’s Report Card.”
Categories: Education
Attorney General Holder Vows to Protect the Voting Rights of All Americans
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
In a speech last week in Austin, Texas, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed his commitment to protecting the right to vote and indicated that the Department of Justice will be thoroughly reviewing new state voting laws to determine whether they are discriminatory.
Categories: Voting Rights
Congress Lets Mass Transit Tax Benefit Expire
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Due to inaction by Congress before leaving for the holidays, the amount of tax-exempt money that mass transit commuters can apply toward transportation costs will be cut in half to approximately $125 per month. As a result, the tax-exemption for parking costs, at $240, will now be nearly double the mass transit commuter benefit.
Categories: Transportation Equity
Senate Obstructionists Block Obama Nominees for Financial Protection Agency, DC Circuit Court
Friday, December 9, 2011
The U.S. Senate this week failed to move forward on votes to confirm two high-profile Obama administration appointees. The nominations of both Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Richard Cordray to be the first director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) failed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican-led filibusters and allow for up-or-down confirmation votes.
Categories: Judiciary, Housing & Lending
FCC Considering Reforms to Lifeline Phone Service Program
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently considering changes and reforms to the federal Lifeline program which helps millions of Americans receive affordable telephone service.
Categories: Media & Technology
Civil and Human Rights Coalition Calls for a 'Clean Extension' of Unemployment Benefits, Payroll Tax Cut
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
With the financial security of millions of unemployed Americans on the line, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is calling on Congress to renew a payroll tax cut and extend emergency unemployment benefits for 12 months without adding unnecessary and harmful provisions.
Categories: Jobs & Economy
Obama Administration Seeks to Advance Women’s Role in Securing Global Peace
Thursday, December 22, 2011
President Obama this week released a groundbreaking new plan and issued an executive order to increase U.S. support for strengthening the participation of women around the world in ending conflict and securing peace.
Categories: Human Rights, Women's Rights
Senators Introduce Clean Ports Act of 2011 to Improve Labor, Environmental Conditions at the Nation’s Ports
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights welcomed the Senate introduction last week of the Clean Ports Act to address growing labor and environmental concerns at many of the nation’s ports and nearby communities.
Categories: Workers' Rights
