Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Through the New Starts program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) identifies and recommends new fixed-guideway transit projects for funding--including heavy, light, and commuter rail; ferry; and certain bus projects. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorized the New Starts program through fiscal year 2009 and made a number of changes to the program, including creating a separate program commonly called Small Starts. This program is intended to offer an expedited and streamlined evaluation and rating process for smaller-scale transit projects. FTA subsequently introduced a separate eligibility category within the Small Starts program for "Very Small Starts" projects. Very Small Starts projects are simple, low-risk projects that FTA has determined qualify for a simplified evaluation and rating process. This testimony discusses GAO's preliminary findings on (1) FTA's implementation of SAFETEA-LU changes to the New Starts program, (2) the extent to which the New Starts pipeline (i.e., projects in the preliminary engineering and final design phases) has changed over time, and (3) future trends for the New Starts and Small Starts pipelines. To address these objectives, GAO surveyed 215 project sponsors and interviewed …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a key role in leading and coordinating--with stakeholders in the federal, state, local, and private sectors--the nation's homeland security efforts. GAO has conducted numerous reviews of DHS management functions as well as programs including transportation and border security, immigration enforcement and service delivery, and disaster preparation and response. This testimony addresses: (1) why GAO designated DHS's implementation and transformation as a high-risk area, (2) specific management challenges that DHS continues to face, (3) examples of the program challenges that DHS faces, and (4) actions DHS should take to strengthen its implementation and transformation efforts."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO was asked to discuss--based on Medicare: Focus on Physician Practice Patterns Can Lead to Greater Program Efficiency, GAO-07-307 (Apr. 30, 2007)--the importance in Medicare of providing feedback to physicians on how their use of health care resources compares with that of their peers. GAO's report discusses an approach to analyzing physicians' practice patterns in Medicare and ways the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could use the results. In a related matter, Medicare's sustainable growth rate system of spending targets used to moderate physician spending growth and annually update physician fees has been problematic, acting as a blunt instrument and lacking in incentives for physicians individually to be attentive to the efficient use of resources in their practices. GAO's statement focuses on (1) the results of its analysis estimating the prevalence of inefficient physicians in Medicare and (2) the potential for CMS to profile physicians in traditional fee-for-service Medicare for efficiency and use the results in ways that are similar to other purchasers' efforts to encourage efficiency."

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the requirements for a surveyor-in-training certificate.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the issuance of commercial paper notes by certain regional transportation authorities.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the requirement that the chief appraiser of an appraisal district provide an estimate of taxable value and related assistance to certain taxing units.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to nitrogen oxide allowance allocation adjustments and the incorporation of modifications to federal rules under the state implementation plan.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to compulsory school attendance for students who are at least 18 years of age.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives designating September 2007 as Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives recognizing Andrew C. Solomon for being elected student government president at The University of Texas at Austin.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives in memory of the Honorable Billy Wayne Clayton of Springlake.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives in memory of Corporal Ray Michael Bevel of Andrews.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to designating May 1, 2007, as Silver Star Day in Texas in honor of wounded service members.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring Art Briles, head coach of the University of Houston football team, for his achievements.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to in memory of Constable Dale David Geddie of Winona.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to designating Industry, Texas, as the Oldest German Settlement in the Lone Star State.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to a claim for reimbursement in a suit to dissolve a marriage.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the consent to and annulment of certain marriages.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether the Angleton-Danbury Hospital District of Brazoria County is authorized to house private imaging business in the district's hospital facility and to manage the private imaging business.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Validity of a rule adopted by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that prohibits a Board licensee from dispensing any controlled substance unless the licensee is registered with the Texas Department of Public Safety (RQ-0553-GA)

This report discusses proposals for international tsunami early warning systems and examines U.S. policy regarding tsunamis.

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) is relying more and more on contractors to provide billions of dollars in services. Congress has pushed DOD to employ sound business practices when using the private sector for services. This testimony discusses DOD's (1) increasing reliance on contractors; (2) efforts to follow sound business practices when acquiring services; and (3) actions to improve its management and oversight of services. This testimony is based on GAO's work spanning several years as well as recent reports issued by the Inspectors General."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for coordinating the federal government's homeland security communications with all levels of government, the private sector, and the public. In support of its mission, the department has deployed a Web-based information-sharing application--the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN)--and operates at least 11 homeland security networks. The department reported that in fiscal years 2005 and 2006, these investments cost $611.8 million to develop, operate, and maintain. In view of the significance of information sharing for protecting homeland security, GAO was asked to testify on the department's efforts to coordinate its development and use of HSIN with two key state and local initiatives under the Regional Information Sharing Systems--a nationwide information-sharing program operated and managed by state and local officials. This testimony is based on a recent GAO report that addresses, among other things, DHS's homeland security networks and HSIN. In performing the work for that report, GAO analyzed documentation on HSIN and state and local initiatives, compared it against the requirements of the Homeland Security Act and federal guidance and best practices, and interviewed DHS officials and state and local officials."