This report examines the current status of state fiscal conditions and the role of federal assistance in state budgets. It begins with an overview of state budgeting procedures and then provides budgetary data comparing state fiscal conditions in FY2008 to FY2013. This report concludes with an assessment of the consequences current levels of state fiscal stress may have for the 113th Congress.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

This report discusses the proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) signed November 22, 2006, which has not yet been approved by Congress. It includes an overview of the proposed CFTA and U.S.-Colombia trade, background on Colombia, issues for Congress to consider, Colombia's plan to improve labor rights, and the actions that Colombia has already taken to improve violence, labor, and human rights within the country.

This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It offers background information, analyzes recent developments and key legislative debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action.

This report discusses the current state of Bahrain, which has undergone substantial political reforms since the late 1990s, but which still suffers from tension between the Shiite majority and the Sunni-led government. It focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and with the United States.

This report discusses the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA, Title I of P.L. 107-279) that established the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) as an independent research arm of the Department of Education (ED).

This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific relevant topics.

This report provides a brief history and overview of the aims of these statutes: the Railway Labor Act (RLA) enacted in 1926, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS). It also discusses key provisions for each statute.

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of State (State) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) identified a number of changes needed to improve contract support in overseas contingency operations, but have not completed implementation efforts. As required by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), both agencies determined that their organizational structures were effective, though State created a new regional Contract Management Office to better support contracting efforts in Iraq. In October 2013, State approved a number of actions to improve policies and procedures, including specific initiatives in acquisition planning and risk management, among others, and intends to institutionalize these changes in its Foreign Affairs Manual in 2014. State generally has not, however, developed plans to assess the impact of these initiatives. Federal internal control standards highlight the importance of managers comparing actual performance to expected results. Accordingly, continued management attention is needed to ensure that these efforts achieve their intended objectives. USAID focused its efforts on areas such as improving contractor performance evaluations and risk management. GAO found that some USAID missions and offices that operate in contingency environments have developed procedures and practices, but USAID …

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The interagency groups GAO selected and expert practitioners—including those who received the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award—have used a range of approaches to address some of the key considerations for implementing interagency collaborative mechanisms, related to defining outcomes; measuring performance and ensuring accountability; establishing leadership approaches; and using resources, such as funding, staff, and technology."

Portrait of Cortney Pace,Technology Director of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

Portrait of Christina Gunlock, managing editor of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

Portrait of Adam Johnson, staff member of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

Photograph of the agenda for 3rd Hatch Visuals meeting, the student-run media agency. James Coreas pictured at right.

Portrait of Sierra Ray, staff member of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

James Coreas speaks to staff of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency.

The staff of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT, poses for a photograph.

Portrait of James Coreas, photo editor of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

The staff of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency, pose for a photograph.

Portrait of Angie Luna, staff member of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

Portrait of Byron Thompson, staff member of Hatch Visuals, a student-run media agency at UNT.

Semi-weekly newspaper from Copperas Cove, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Kerens, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.

This report discusses a number of economic considerations that may be made while evaluating various corporate tax reforms proposals. It briefly reviews the current U.S. corporate tax system; discusses economic factors that may be considered in the corporate tax reform debate; and presents corporate tax reform policy options, including a brief discussion of current corporate tax reform proposals.