text: This is the accessible text file for GAO report number GAO-04-1099T entitled 'Social Security Numbers: Use Is Widespread and Protections Vary in Private and Public Sectors' which was released on September 28, 2004. This text file was formatted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to be accessible to users with visual impairments, as part of a longer term project to improve GAO products' accessibility. Every attempt has been made to maintain the structural and data integrity of the original printed product. Accessibility features, such as text descriptions of tables, consecutively numbered footnotes placed at the end of the file, and the text of agency comment letters, are provided but may not exactly duplicate the presentation or format of the printed version. The portable document format (PDF) file is an exact electronic replica of the printed version. We welcome your feedback. Please E-mail your comments regarding the contents or accessibility features of this document to email@example.com. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. Because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately. Testimony: Before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection: House of Representatives: United States General Accounting Office: GAO: For Release on Delivery Expected at 2:00 p.m. EDT: Tuesday, September 28, 2004: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS: Use Is Widespread and Protections Vary in Private and Public Sectors: Statement of Barbara D. Bovbjerg: Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues: GAO-04-1099T: GAO Highlights: Highlights of GAO-04-1099T, a testimony to Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, House of Representatives: Why GAO Did This Study: In 1936, the Social Security Administration (SSA) established the Social Security number (SSN) to track workers' earnings for social security benefit purposes. Today, private and public sector entities frequently ask individuals for SSNs in order to conduct their businesses and sometimes to comply with federal laws. Although uses of SSNs can be beneficial to the public, SSNs are also a key piece of information in creating false identities either for financial misuse or for assuming an individual's identity. The retention of SSNs in the public and private sectors can create opportunities for identity theft. In addition, the aggregation of personal information, such as SSNs, in large corporate databases, as well as the public display of SSNs in various records accessed by the public, may provide criminals the opportunity to easily obtain this personal information. Given the heightened awareness of identity crimes, this testimony focuses on describing (1) how private sector entities obtain, use, and protect SSNs, and (2) public sector uses and protections of SSNs. What GAO Found: Private sector entities rely extensively on SSNs. We reported early this year that entities such as information resellers, consumer reporting agencies , and health care organizations routinely obtain SSNs from their business clients and public sources, such as government records that can be displayed to the public. These entities then use SSNs for various purposes, such as to verify an individual's identity or to match existing records, and have come to rely on the SSN as an identifier, which helps them determine a person's identity for the purpose of providing the services they offer. There is no single federal law that regulates the overall use or restricts the disclosure of SSNs by private sector entities. However, certain federal laws have helped to place restrictions on the disclosures of personal information private sector entities are allowed to make to their customers, and certain states have enacted laws to restrict the private sector's use of SSNs. Public sector entities also extensively use SSNs. All three levels of government use the SSN to comply with certain federal laws and regulations, as well as for their own purposes. These agencies rely on the SSN to manage records, verify benefit eligibility, collect outstanding debt, and conduct research and program evaluations. In addition, given the open nature of certain government records, SSNs appear in records displayed to the public such as documents that record financial transactions or court documents. Despite the widespread reliance on and use of SSNs, government agencies are taking steps to safeguard the SSN. For example, some agencies are not using the SSN as the primary identification number. In a previous report, we proposed that Congress consider developing a unified approach to safeguarding SSNs used in all levels of government and particularly those displayed in public records, and we continue to believe that this approach has merit. The use of SSNs by both private and public sector entities is likely to continue, but the more frequently SSNs are used, the more likely they are to be misused given the continued rise in identity crimes. In considering restrictions to SSN use, policy makers will have to balance the protections that could occur from such restrictions with legitimate business needs for the use of SSNs. [See PDF for image] Source: GAO: Social Security Administration: [End of figure] www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-1099T. To view the full product, including the scope and methodology, click on the link above. For more information, contact Barbara Bovbjerg at (202) 512-7215 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: I am pleased to be here today to discuss private and public sector entities' use of Social Security numbers (SSNs). Although the Social Security Administration (SSA) originally created SSNs as a means to track workers' earnings and eligibility for Social Security benefits, over time the SSN has come to be used for a myriad of purposes; individuals are frequently asked to supply personal information, including their SSNs, to both public and private sector entities. In addition, individuals' SSNs can be found in a number of public sources such as records displayed to the public. Given the uniqueness and broad applicability of the SSN, many private and public sector entities rely extensively on the SSN sometimes as a way to accumulate and identify information for their databases, sometimes to comply with federal regulations, and other times for various business purposes. The potential for misuse of the SSN has raised questions about how private and public sector entities obtain, use, and protect SSNs. Although Congress has passed a number of laws to protect the security of personal information, the continued use of and reliance on SSNs by both private and public sector entities underscores the importance of determining if appropriate safeguards are in place to protect individuals' private information or if enhanced protection of individuals' personal information is needed. Accordingly, you asked us to talk about how certain types of private and public sector entities obtain SSNs and what protections, if any, exist to govern their use. My remarks today will focus on describing (1) how private sector entities obtain, use, and protect SSNs and (2) public sector uses and protections. To determine how private sector entities obtain, use, and protect SSNs, we relied on our previous work that looked at how private sector entities obtain and use SSNs and the laws that limit disclosure of this use.[Footnote 1] To determine how the public sector uses and protects SSNs, we also relied on our previous work that looked at the government's use and protection of SSNs.[Footnote 2] In addition, we are conducting structured interviews of federal agencies concerning the display of SSNs. In summary, entities such as information resellers, consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), and health care organizations routinely obtain SSNs from their business clients and from public sources, such as marriage licenses, paternity determinations, and professional licenses. Businesses use SSNs for various purposes, such as to build databases, verify individuals' identities, or match existing records.[Footnote 3] Given the various types of services these companies offer, we found that all of these entities have come to rely on the SSN as an identifier, which they say helps them determine a person's identity for the purpose of providing the services they offer. However, certain federal laws have helped to limit the disclosures of personal information these private sector entities are allowed to make to their customers. Private sector entities are either subject to the laws directly, given the nature of their business, or indirectly, through their business clients who are subject to these laws. Some states have also enacted laws to restrict the private sector's use of SSNs. However, such restrictions vary by state. Public sector entities also rely extensively on SSNs. These agencies often obtain SSNs for compliance with federal laws and regulations and for their own agencies' purposes. We found that federal, state, and county government agencies rely extensively on the SSN to manage records, verify benefit eligibility, collect outstanding debt, conduct research and program evaluations, and verify information provided to state drivers' licensing agencies.[Footnote 4] Given that SSNs are often the identifier of choice among individuals seeking to create false identities, these agencies are taking steps to safeguard SSNs. Yet despite these actions, SSNs appear in records displayed to the public such as documents that record financial transactions or court documents. In a previous report, we proposed that Congress consider developing a unified approach to safeguarding SSNs used in all levels of government and particularly those displayed in public records, and we continue to believe that this approach has merit.[Footnote 5] Background: The Social Security Act of 1935 authorized SSA to establish a record- keeping system to help manage the Social Security program, and this resulted in the creation of the SSN. Through a process known as enumeration, unique numbers are created for every person as a work and retirement benefit record for the Social Security program. SSA generally issues SSNs to most U.S. citizens, and SSNs are also available to noncitizens lawfully admitted to the United States with permission to work. SSA estimates that approximately 277 million individuals currently have SSNs. The SSN has become the identifier of choice for government agencies and private businesses, and thus it is used for a myriad of non-Social Security purposes. The growth in the use of SSNs is important to individual SSN holders because these numbers, along with names and birth certificates, are among the three personal identifiers most often sought by identity thieves.[Footnote 6] In addition, SSNs are used as breeder information to create additional false identification documents, such as drivers' licenses. Recent statistics collected by federal agencies and CRAs indicate that the incidence of identity theft appears to be growing.[Footnote 7] The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency responsible for tracking identity theft, reported that consumer fraud and identity theft complaints grew from 404,000 in 2002 to 516,740 in 2003. In 2003, consumers also reported losses from fraud of more than $437 million, up from $343 million in 2002. In addition, identity crimes account for over 80 percent of SSN misuse allegations according to the SSA. Also, officials from two of the three national CRAs report an increase in the number of 7-year fraud alerts placed on consumer credit files, which they consider to be reliable indicators of the incidence of identity theft.[Footnote 8] Law enforcement entities report that identity theft is almost always a component of other crimes, such as bank fraud or credit card fraud, and may be prosecuted under the statutes covering those crimes. Private Sector Entities Routinely Obtain and Use SSNs, and Certain Laws Affect The Disclosure of This Information: Private sector entities such as information resellers, CRAs, and health care organizations routinely obtain and use SSNs.[Footnote 9] Such entities obtain the SSNs from various public sources and their business clients wishing to use their services. We found that these entities usually use SSNs for various purposes, such as to build tools that verify an individual's identity or match existing records. Certain federal laws have limited the disclosures private sector entities are allowed to make to their customers, and some states have also enacted laws to restrict the private sector's use of SSNs. Private Sector Entities Obtain SSNs from Public and Private Sources and Use SSNs for Various Purposes: Private sector entities such as information resellers, CRAs, and health care organizations generally obtain SSNs from various public and private sources and use SSNs to help identify individuals. Of the various public sources available, large information resellers told us they obtain SSNs from various records displayed to the public such as records of bankruptcies, tax liens, civil judgments, criminal histories, deaths, real estate ownership, driving histories, voter registrations, and professional licenses. Large information resellers said that they try to obtain SSNs from public sources where possible, and to the extent public record information is provided on the Internet, they are likely to obtain it from such sources. Some of these officials also told us that they have people that go to courthouses or other repositories to obtain hard copies of public records. Additionally, they obtain batch files of electronic copies of all public records from some jurisdictions. Given the varied nature of SSN data found in public records, some reseller officials said they are more likely to rely on receiving SSNs from their business clients than they are from obtaining SSNs from public records. These entities obtain SSNs from their business clients, who provide SSNs in order to obtain a reseller's services or products, such as background checks, employee screening, determining criminal histories, or searching for individuals. Large information resellers also obtain SSN information from private sources. In many cases such information was obtained through review of data where a customer has voluntarily supplied information resellers with information about himself or herself. In addition, large reseller officials said they also use their clients' records in instances where the client has provided them with information. We also found that Internet-based resellers rely extensively on public sources and records displayed to the public. These resellers listed on their Web sites public information sources, such as newspapers, and various kinds of public record sources at the county, state, and national levels. During our investigation, we determined that once Internet-based resellers obtained an individual's SSN they relied on information in public records to help verify the individual's identity and amass information around the individual's SSN. Like information resellers, CRAs also obtain SSNs from public and private sources as well as from their customers or the businesses that furnish data to them. CRA officials said that they obtain SSNs from public sources, such as bankruptcy records, a fact that is especially important in terms of determining that the correct individual has declared bankruptcy. CRA officials also told us that they obtain SSNs from other information resellers, especially those that specialize in obtaining information from public records. However, SSNs are more likely to be obtained from businesses that subscribe to their services, such as banks, insurance companies, mortgage companies, debt collection agencies, child support enforcement agencies, credit grantors, and employment screening companies. Individuals provide these businesses with their SSNs for reasons such as applying for credit, and these businesses voluntarily report consumers' charge and payment transactions, accompanied by SSNs, to CRAs. We found that health care organizations were less likely to rely on public sources for SSN data. Health care organizations obtain SSNs from individuals themselves and from companies that offer health care plans. For example, subscribers or policyholders provide health care plans with their SSNs through their company or employer group when they enroll in health care plans. In addition to health care plans, health care organizations include health care providers, such as hospitals. Such entities often collect SSNs as part of the process of obtaining information on insured people. However, health care officials said that, particularly with hospitals, the medical record number rather than the SSN is the primary identifier. Information resellers, CRAs, and health care organization officials all said that they use SSNs to verify an individual's identity. Most of the officials we spoke to said that the SSN is the single most important identifier available, mainly because it is truly unique to an individual, unlike an individual's name and address, which can often change over an individual's lifetime. Large information resellers said that they generally use the SSN as an identity verification tool. Some of these entities have incorporated SSNs into their information technology, while others have incorporated SSNs into their clients' databases used for identity verification. For example, one large information reseller that specializes in information technology solutions has developed a customer verification data model that aids financial institutions in their compliance with some federal laws regarding "knowing your customer." We also found that Internet-based information resellers use the SSN as a factor in determining an individual's identity. We found these types of resellers to be more dependent on SSNs than the large information resellers, primarily because their focus is more related to providing investigative or background-type services to anyone willing to pay a fee. Most of the large information resellers officials we spoke to said that although they obtain the SSN from their business clients, the information they provide back to their customers rarely contains the SSN. Almost all of the officials we spoke to said that they provide their clients with a truncated SSN, an example of which would be xxx-xx-6789. CRAs use SSNs as the primary identifier of individuals, which enables them to match the information they receive from their business clients with the information stored in their databases on individuals.[Footnote 10] Because these companies have various commercial, financial, and government agencies furnishing data to them, the SSN is the primary factor that ensures that incoming data is matched correctly with an individual's information on file. For example, CRA officials said they use several factors to match incoming data with existing data, such as name, address, and financial account information. If all of the incoming data, except the SSN, match with existing data, then the SSN will determine the correct person's credit file. Given that people move, get married, and open new financial accounts, these officials said that it is hard to distinguish among individuals. Because the SSN is the one piece of information that remains constant, they said that it is the primary identifier that they use to match data. Health care organizations also use the SSN to help verify the identity of individuals. These organizations use SSNs, along with other information, such as name, address, and date of birth, as a factor in determining a member's identity. Health care officials said that health care plans, in particular, use the SSN as the primary identifier of an individual, and it often becomes the customer's insurance number. Health care officials said that they use SSNs for identification purposes, such as linking an individual's name to an SSN to determine if premium payments have been made. They also use the SSN as an online services identifier, as an alternative policy identifier, and for phone-in identity verification. Health care organizations also use SSNs to tie family members together where family coverage is used,[Footnote 11] to coordinate member benefits, and as a cross-check for pharmacy transactions. Health care industry association officials also said that SSNs are used for claims processing, especially with regard to Medicare. According to these officials, under some Medicare programs, SSNs are how Medicare identifies benefits provided to an individual. Certain Laws Limit the Private Sectors' Disclosure of Personal Information That Includes SSNs: Certain federal and state laws have placed restrictions on certain private sector entities use and disclosure of consumers' personal information that includes SSNs. Such laws include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As shown in table 1, the laws either restrict the disclosures that entities such as information resellers, CRAs, and health care organizations are allowed to make to specific purposes or restrict whom they are allowed to give the information to. Moreover, as shown in table 1, these laws focus on limiting or restricting access to certain personal information and are not specifically focused on information resellers. See appendix I for more information on these laws. Table 1: Aspects of Federal Laws That Affect Private Sector Disclosure of Personal Information: Federal Laws: Fair Credit Reporting Act; Restrictions: Limits access to credit data that includes SSNs to those who have a permissible purpose under the law. Federal Laws: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; Restrictions: Creates a new definition of personal information that includes SSNs and limits when financial institutions may disclose the information to non-affiliated third parties. Federal Laws: Drivers Privacy Protection Act; Restrictions: Prohibits obtaining and disclosing SSNs and other personal information from a motor vehicle record except as expressly permitted under the law. Federal Laws: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; Restrictions: Protects the privacy of health information that identifies an individual (including by SSNs) and restricts health care organizations from disclosing such information to others without the patient's consent. Source: GAO analysis. [End of table] We reviewed selected legislative documents of 18 states and found that at least 6 states have enacted their own legislation to restrict either the display or use of SSNs by the private sector.[Footnote 12] Notably, in 2001, California enacted Senate Bill (SB) 168, restricting private sector use of SSNs. Specifically, this law generally prohibits companies and persons from certain uses such as, posting or publicly displaying SSNs and printing SSNs on cards required to access the company's products or services. Furthermore, in 2002, shortly after the enactment of SB 168, California's Office of Privacy Protection published recommended practices for protecting the confidentiality of SSNs. These practices were to serve as guidelines to assist private and public sector organizations in handling SSNs. Similar to California's law, Missouri's law (2003 Mo. SB 61), which is not effective until July 1, 2006, bars companies from requiring individuals to transmit SSNs over the Internet without certain safety measures, such as encryption and passwords. However, while SB 61 prohibits a person or private entity from publicly posting or displaying an individual's SSN "in any manner," unlike California's law, it does not specifically prohibit printing the SSN on cards required to gain access to products or services. In addition, Arizona's law (2003 Ariz. Sess. Laws 137), effective January 1, 2005, restricts the use of SSNs in ways very similar to California's law. However, in addition to the private sector restrictions, it adds certain restrictions for state agencies and political subdivisions.[Footnote 13] For example, state agencies and political subdivisions are prohibited from printing an individual's SSN on cards and certain mailings to the individual. Last, Texas prohibits the display of SSNs on all cards, while Georgia and Utah's laws are directed at health insurers and, therefore, pertain primarily to insurance identification cards.[Footnote 14] None of these three laws contain the provisions mentioned above relating to Internet safety measures and mailing restrictions. Table 2 lists states that have enacted legislation and related provisions. Table 2: Provisions Included in Enacted Legislation Reviewed: Provision: Specifically prohibits display on cards; States Where Provision or Restriction Enacted: AZ, CA, GA, TX, UT. Provision: Requires Internet safety measures; States Where Provision or Restriction Enacted: AZ, CA, MO. Provision: Restricts mailing of SSNs; States Where Provision or Restriction Enacted: AZ, CA. Source: GAO analysis. [End of table] Public Sector Entities Also Use SSNs and Some Agencies Limit Their Use and Display: Agencies at all levels of government frequently obtain and use SSNs. A number of federal laws require government agencies to obtain SSNs, and these agencies use SSNs to administer their programs, verify applicants' eligibility for services and benefits, and do research and evaluation. In addition, given the open nature of certain government records, SSNs appear in some records displayed to the public. Given the potential for misuse, some government agencies are taking steps to limit their use and display of SSNs and prevent the proliferation of false identities. Public Sector Entities Are Required by Laws and Regulations to Obtain SSNs and Use SSNs for Various Purposes: Government agencies obtain SSNs because a number of federal laws and regulations require certain programs and federally funded activities to use the SSN for administrative purposes.[Footnote 15] Such laws and regulations require the use of the SSN as an individual's identifier to facilitate automated exchanges that help administrators enforce compliance with federal laws, determine eligibility for benefits, or both. For example, the Internal Revenue Code and regulations, which govern the administration of the federal personal income tax program, require that individuals' SSNs serve as taxpayer identification numbers.[Footnote 16] A number of other federal laws require program administrators to use SSNs in determining applicants' eligibility for federally funded benefits. The Social Security Act requires individuals to provide their SSNs in order to receive benefits under the SSI, Food Stamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Medicaid programs.[Footnote 17] In addition, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires the use of SSNs to identify individuals and established the Commercial Driver's License Information System, a nationwide database where states may use individuals' SSNs to search the database for other state-issued licenses commercial drivers may hold.[Footnote 18] Federal law also requires the use of SSNs in state child support programs to help states locate noncustodial parents, establish and enforce support orders, and recoup state welfare payments from parents.[Footnote 19] The law also requires states to record SSNs on many other state documents, such as professional, occupational, and marriage licenses; divorce decrees; paternity determinations; and death certificates. Government agencies use SSNs for a variety of reasons. We found that most of these agencies use SSNs to administer their programs, such as to identify, retrieve, and update their records. In addition, many agencies also use SSNs to share information with other entities to bolster the integrity of the programs they administer. As unique identifiers, SSNs help ensure that the agency is obtaining or matching information on the correct person. Government agencies also share information containing SSNs for the purpose of verifying an applicant's eligibility for services or benefits, such as matching records with state and local correctional facilities to identify individuals for whom the agency should terminate benefit payments. SSNs are also used to ensure program integrity. Agencies use SSNs to collect delinquent debts and even share information for this purpose. In addition, SSNs are used for statistics, research, and evaluation. Agencies responsible for collecting and maintaining data for statistical programs that are required by statute, make use of SSNs. In some cases, these data are compiled using information provided for another purpose. For example, the Bureau of the Census prepares annual population estimates for states and counties using individual income tax return data linked over time by SSN to determine immigration rates between localities.[Footnote 20] SSNs also provide government agencies and others with an effective mechanism for linking data on program participation with data from other sources to help evaluate the outcomes or effectiveness of government programs. In some cases, records containing SSNs are sometimes matched across multiple agency or program databases.[Footnote 21] Government agencies also use employees' SSNs to fulfill some of their responsibilities as employers. For example, personnel departments of these agencies use SSNs to help them maintain internal records and provide employee benefits. In addition, employers are required by law to use employees' SSNs when reporting wages. Wages are reported to SSA, and the agency uses this information to update earnings records it maintains for each individual. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also uses SSNs to match the employer wage reports with amounts individuals report on personal income tax returns. Federal law also requires that states maintain employers' reports of newly hired employees, identified by SSNs. States must forward this information to a national database that is used by state child support agencies to locate parents who are delinquent in child support payments. Finally, SSNs appear in some government records that are open to the public. For example, SSNs may already be a part of a document that is submitted to a recorder for official preservation, such as veterans' discharge papers. Documents that record financial transactions, such as tax liens and property settlements, also contain SSNs to help identify the correct individual. Government officials are also required by law to collect SSNs in numerous instances, and some state laws allow government entities to collect SSNs on voter registries to help avoid duplicate registrations. In addition, courts at all three levels of government also collect and maintain records that are routinely made available to the public. SSNs appear in court documents for a variety of reasons such as on documents that government officials create like criminal summonses, and in many cases, SSNs are already a part of documents that are submitted by attorneys or individuals as part of the evidence for a proceeding or a petition for an action. In some cases, federal law requires that SSNs be placed in certain records that courts maintain, such as child support orders. Government Agencies Are Taking Steps to Limit the Use and Display of SSNs: Despite the widespread use of SSNs at all levels of government, not all agencies use SSNs. We found that some agencies do not obtain, receive, or use SSNs of program participants, service recipients, or individual members of the public.[Footnote 22] Moreover, not all agencies use the SSN as their primary identification number for record-keeping purposes. These agencies maintain an alternative number that is used in addition to or in lieu of SSNs for certain activities. Some agencies are also taking steps to limit SSNs displayed on documents that may be viewed by others who may not have a need to view this personal information. For example, the Social Security Administration has truncated individuals' SSNs that appear on the approximately 120 million benefits statements it mails each year. Some states have also passed laws prohibiting the use of SSNs as a student identification number. Almost all states have modified their policies on placing SSNs on state drivers' licenses. At the federal level, SSA has taken steps in its enumeration process and verification service to help prevent SSNs from being used to proliferate false identities. SSA has formed a task force to address weaknesses in its enumeration process and has (1) increased document verifications and developed new initiatives to prevent the inappropriate assignment of SSNs to noncitizens, and (2) undertaken initiatives to shift the burden of processing noncitizen applications from its field offices.[Footnote 23] SSA also helps prevent the proliferation of false identities through its verification service, which allows state driver licensing agencies to verify the SSN, name, and date of birth of customers with SSA's master file of Social Security records. Finally, SSA has also acted to correct deficiencies in its information systems' internal controls. These changes were made in response to the findings of an independent audit that found that SSA's systems were exposed to both internal and external intrusion, increasing the possibility that sensitive information such as SSNs could be subject to unauthorized access, modification, and disclosure, as well as the risk of fraud. With regard to the courts, in a prior report we suggested that Congress consider addressing SSN security and display issues in state and local government and in public records, including those maintained by the judicial branch of government at all levels.[Footnote 24] We proposed that Congress convene a representative group of officials from all levels of government to develop a unified approach to safeguard SSNs used in all levels of government and particularly those displayed in public records. Conclusions: Public and private entities use SSNs for many legitimate and publicly beneficial purposes. However, the more frequently SSNs are obtained and used, the more likely they are to be misused. Individuals may voluntarily provide their SSNs to the private and public sectors to obtain services, but they should be able to be confident that their personal information is safe and secure. As we continue to learn more about the entities that obtain SSNs and the purposes for which they obtain them, policy makers will be able to determine if there are ways to limit access to this valuable piece of information and prevent it from being misused. However, restrictions on access or use may make it more difficult for businesses and government agencies to verify an individual's identity. Accordingly, policy makers will have to balance the potential benefits of restrictions on the use of SSNs on the one hand with the impact on legitimate needs for the use of SSNs on the other. We are continuing our work on protecting the privacy of SSNs in the private and public sectors, and we are pleased that this Subcommittee is considering this important policy issue. That concludes my testimony, and I would be pleased to respond to any questions the subcommittee has. Contacts and Acknowledgments: For further information regarding this testimony, please contact Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director or Tamara Cross, Assistant Director at (202) 512-7215. [End of section] Appendix I: Federal Laws Affecting Information Resellers, CRAs, and Health Care Organizations: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): GLBA requires companies to give consumers privacy notices that explain the institutions' information-sharing practices. In turn, consumers have the right to limit some, but not all, sharing of their nonpublic personal information. Financial institutions are permitted to disclose consumers' nonpublic personal information without offering them an opt- out right in the following circumstances: * to effect a transaction requested by the consumer in connection with a financial product or service requested by the consumer; maintaining or servicing the consumer's account with the financial institution or another entity as part of a private label credit card program or other extension of credit; or a proposed or actual securitization, secondary market sale, or similar transaction; * with the consent or at the direction of the consumer; * to protect the confidentiality or security of the consumer's records; to prevent actual or potential fraud, for required institutional risk control or for resolving customer disputes or inquiries, to persons holding a legal or beneficial interest relating to the consumer, or to the consumer's fiduciary; * to provide information to insurance rate advisory organizations, guaranty funds or agencies, rating agencies, industry standards agencies, and the institution's attorneys, accountants, and auditors; * to the extent specifically permitted or required under other provisions of law and in accordance with the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, to law enforcement agencies, self-regulatory organizations, or for an investigation on a matter related to public safety; * to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act or from a consumer report reported by a consumer reporting agency; * in connection with a proposed or actual sale, merger, transfer, or exchange of all or a portion of a business if the disclosure concerns solely consumers of such business; * to comply with federal, state, or local laws; an investigation or subpoena; or to respond to judicial process or government regulatory authorities. Financial institutions are required by GLBA to disclose to consumers at the initiation of a customer relationship, and annually thereafter, their privacy policies, including their policies with respect to sharing information with affiliates and non-affiliated third parties. Provisions under GLBA place limitations on financial institutions disclosure of customer data, thus affecting some CRAs and information resellers. We found that some CRAs consider themselves to be financial institutions under GLBA.[Footnote 25] These entities are therefore directly governed by GLBA's restrictions on disclosing nonpublic personal information to non-affiliated third parties. We also found that some of the information resellers we spoke to did not consider their companies to be financial institutions under GLBA. However, because they have financial institutions as their business clients, they complied with GLBA's provisions in order to better serve their clients and ensure that their clients are in accordance with GLBA. For example, if information resellers received information from financial institutions, they could resell the information only to the extent that they were consistent with the privacy policy of the originating financial institution. Information resellers and CRAs also said that they protect the use of non-public personal information and do not provide such information to individuals or unauthorized third parties. In addition to imposing obligations with respect to the disclosures of personal information, GLBA also requires federal agencies responsible for financial institutions to adopt appropriate standards for financial institutions relating to safeguarding customer records and information. Information resellers and CRA officials said that they adhere to GLBA's standards in order to secure financial institutions' information. Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA): The DPPA specifies a list of exceptions when personal information contained in a state motor vehicle record may be obtained and used (18 U.S.C. § 2721(b)). These permissible uses include: * for use by any government agency in carrying out its functions; * for use in connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research; * for use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business, but only to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business and, if such information is not correct, to obtain the correct information but only for purposes of preventing fraud by pursuing legal remedies against, or recovering on a debt or security interest against, the individual; * for use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in any federal, state, or local court or agency; * for use in research activities; * for use by any insurer or insurance support organization in connection with claims investigation activities; * for use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles; * for use by a private investigative agency for any purpose permitted under the DPPA; * for use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain information relating to the holder of a commercial driver's license; * for use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities; * for any other use, if the state has obtained the express consent of the person to whom a request for personal information pertains; * for bulk distribution of surveys, marketing, or solicitations, if the state has obtained the express consent of the person to whom such personal information pertains; * for use by any requester, if the requester demonstrates that it has obtained the written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains; * for any other use specifically authorized under a state law, if such use is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety. As a result of DPPA, information resellers said they were restricted in their ability to obtain SSNs and other driver license information from state motor vehicle offices unless they were doing so for a permissible purpose under the law. These officials also said that information obtained from a consumer's motor vehicle record has to be in compliance with DPPA's permissible purposes, thereby restricting their ability to resell motor vehicle information to individuals or entities not allowed to receive such information under the law. Furthermore, because DPPA restricts state motor vehicle offices' ability to disclose driver license information, which includes SSN data, information resellers said they no longer try to obtain SSNs from state motor vehicle offices, except for permissible purposes. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): The HIPAA privacy rule also defines some rights and obligations for both covered entities and individual patients and health plan members. Some of the highlights are: * Individuals must give specific authorization before health care providers can use or disclose protected information in most nonroutine circumstances, such as releasing information to an employer or for use in marketing activities. * Covered entities will need to provide individuals with written notice of their privacy practices and patients' privacy rights. The notice will contain information that could be useful to individuals choosing a health plan, doctor, or other service provided. Patients will be generally asked to sign or otherwise acknowledge receipt of the privacy notice. Covered entities must obtain an individual's specific authorization before sending them marketing materials. Health care organizations, including health care providers and health plan insurers, are subject to HIPAA's requirements. In addition to providing individuals with privacy practices and notices, health care organizations are also restricted from disclosing a patient's health information without the patient's consent, except for purposes of treatment, payment, or other health care operations. Information resellers and CRAs did not consider themselves to be "covered entities" under HIPAA, although some information resellers said that their customers are considered to be business associates under HIPAA. As a result, they said they are obligated to operate under HIPAA's standards for privacy protection, and therefore could not resell medical information without having made sure HIPAA's privacy standards were met. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Congress has limited the use of consumer reports to protect consumers' privacy. All users must have a permissible purpose under the FCRA to obtain a consumer report (15 USC 1681b). These permissible purposes are: * as ordered by a court or a federal grand jury subpoena; * as instructed by the consumer in writing; * for the extension of credit as a result of an application from a consumer or the review or collection of a consumer's account; * for employment purposes, including hiring and promotion decisions, where the consumer has given written permission; * for the underwriting of insurance as a result of an application from a consumer; * when there is a legitimate business need, in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer; * to review a consumer's account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account; * to determine a consumer's eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant's financial responsibility or status; * for use by a potential investor or servicer or current insurer in a valuation or assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with an existing credit obligation; and: * for use by state and local officials in connection with the determination of child support payments, or modifications and enforcement thereof. Under FCRA, Congress has limited the use of consumer reports[Footnote 26] to protect consumers' privacy and limits access to credit data to those who have a legally permissible purpose for using the data, such as the extension of credit, employment purposes, or underwriting insurance. However, these limits are not specific to SSNs. All of the CRAs that we spoke to said that they are considered consumer reporting agencies under FCRA. In addition, some of the information resellers we spoke to who handle or maintain consumer reports are classified as CRAs under FCRA. Both CRAs and information resellers said that as a result of FCRAs restrictions they are limited to providing credit data to their customers that have a permissible purpose under FCRA. Consequently, they are restricted by law from providing such information to the general public. FOOTNOTES [1] GAO, Social Security Numbers: Private Sector Entities Routinely Obtain and Use SSNs, and Laws Limit the Disclosure of This Information, GAO-04-11 (Washington D.C.: January 22, 2004). [2] See GAO, Social Security Numbers: Government Benefits from SSN Use but Could Provide Better Safeguards, GAO-02-352 (Washington, D.C.: May 31, 2002). [3] GAO-04-11 (Washington D.C.: January 2004). [4] GAO-02-352 (Washington D.C.: May 2002). [5] GAO-02-352 (Washington D.C.: May 2002). [6] United States Sentencing Commission, Identity Theft Final Alert (Washington, D.C.: Dec. 15, 1999). [7] GAO, Identity Theft: Prevalence and Cost Appear to be Growing, GAO- 02-363 (Washington, D.C.: Mar. 1, 2002). [8] A fraud alert is a warning that someone may be using the consumer's personal information to fraudulently obtain credit. When a fraud alert is placed on a consumer's credit card file, it advises credit grantors to conduct additional identity verification before granting credit. The three consumer reporting agencies offers fraud alerts that can vary from 2 to 7 years at the discretion of the individual. [9] Information resellers, sometimes referred to as information brokers, are businesses that specialize in amassing consumer information that includes SSNs for informational services. CRAs, also known as credit bureaus, are agencies that collect and sell information about the creditworthiness of individuals. Health care organizations generally deliver their services through a coordinated system that includes health care providers and health plans, also referred to as health care insurers. [10] We found that CRAs and information resellers can sometimes be the same entity, a fact that blurs the distinction between the two types of businesses but does not affect the use of SSNs by these entities. Five of the six large information resellers we spoke to said they were also CRAs. Some CRA officials said that information reselling constituted as much as 40 percent of CRAs' business. [11] During the enrollment process, subscribers have a number of options, one of which is decided whether they would like single or family coverage. In cases where family coverage is chosen, the SSN is the key piece of information generally allowing the family members to be linked. [12] On the basis of our interviews with private sector businesses and organizations, contacts with some state offices of attorney general, and identification of state laws and legislative initiatives related to the use of SSNs, we did a legislative review of 18 states that were identified as having laws or proposed laws governing SSN use. In the 18 states we researched, we reviewed more than 40 legislative documents, including relevant laws, proposed laws, legislative summaries, and other related documents, such as state regulations, executive orders, and referendums. [13] Political subdivisions would include counties, cities, and towns. [14] Georgia's law (O.C.G.A. §33-24-57.1(f)) and Utah's law (Utah Code Ann. §31-22-634) were both effective July 1, 2004. However, Utah's law provides certain extensions until March 1, 2005. Texas' law (2003 Tex. Gen. Laws 341) is effective March 1, 2005. [15] GAO, Social Security Numbers: Government and Commercial Use of the Social Security Number is Widespread, GAO/HEHS-99-28 (Washington D.C.: February 1999). [16] This means that employers and others making payments to individuals must include the individuals' SSNs in reporting to IRS many of these payments. In addition, the Code and regulations require individuals filing personal income tax returns to include their SSNs as their taxpayer identification number, the SSNs of people whom they claim as dependents, and the SSNs of spouses to whom they paid alimony. [17] Applicants give program administrators information on their income and resources, and program administrators use applicants' SSNs to match records with those of other organizations. [18] States may also use SSNs to search another database, the National Driver's Registry, to determine whether an applicant's license has been cancelled, suspended, or revoked by another state. In these situations, the states use SSNs to limit the possibility of inappropriately licensing applicants. [19] The law requires states to maintain records that include (1) SSNs for individuals who owe or are owed support for cases in which the state has ordered child support payments to be made, the state is providing support, or both, and (2) employers' records of new hires identified by SSN. [20] The Bureau of the Census is authorized by statute to collect a variety of information, and the Bureau is also prohibited from making it available, except in certain circumstances. [21] The statistical and research communities refer to the process of matching records containing SSNs for statistical or research purposes as "record linkage." See U.S. General Accounting Office, Record Linkage and Privacy: Issues in Creating New Federal Research and Statistical Information, GAO-01-126SP (Washington, D.C.: Apr. 2001). [22] GAO-02-352 (Washington D.C.: May 2002). [23] See GAO, Social Security Administration: Actions Taken to Strengthen Procedures for Issuing Social Security Numbers to Noncitizens but Some Weakness Remain, GAO-04-12 (Washington D.C.: October 15, 2003). See GAO, Social Security Numbers: Improved SSN Verification and Exchange of States' Driver Records Would Enhance Identity Verification, GAO-03-920 (Washington D.C.: September 15, 2003). [24] GAO-02-352 (Washington D.C.: May 2002) [25] Under GLBA, the term financial institution is defined as "any institution the business of which is engaging in financial activities as described in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956," which goes into more detail about what are "activities that are financial in nature." These generally include banking, insurance, and investment industries. [26] The FTC has determined that certain types of information, including SSNs, do not constitute as consumer report under FCRA because they are not factors in determining credit eligibility.


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Around the world in 20 famous sculptures
In honor of World Sculpture Day, Musement takes a look at 20 famous sculptures from across the globe. The sculpture is one of the most enduring forms of expression. Rooted in prehistory, sculptures have given us insight into myriad cultures and civilizations, with the techniques and materials of these three-dimensional works recounting the story of […]Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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PURCHASE, N.Y. - MasterCard's second-quarter net income climbed 9.8 per cent as it benefited from volume growth and handled more transactions in the period.
The company's results topped analysts' estimates. Shares rose in premarket trading on Thursday.
MasterCard Inc. is the world's second-largest processor of debit and credit card payments. Like its bigger rival, Visa Inc., it benefits from heightened consumer spending.
The company, which is based in Purchase, New York, earned $931 million, or 80 cents per share, for the three months ended June 30. That's up from $848 million, or 70 cents per share, a year earlier.
The average estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 77 cents per share.
Revenue rose 13 per cent to $2.38 billion from $2.1 billion, beating Wall Street's forecast of $2.3 billion. The revenue performance were somewhat offset by an increase in rebates and incentives.
Worldwide purchase volume climbed 13 per cent to $821 billion, while processed transactions increased 12 per cent to 10.6 billion.
Mastercard's stock gained $1.34 to $77.25 before the market opened Thursday.


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The natural ease of hearing redefined.
Sleek, easily controlled, effortless.
With a model to suit almost every hearing requirement, the new Motion™ fits comfortably and discreetly behind your ear. Easy to adjust and control, they are packed with functionality that lets you hear with ease all day long. Whatever the situation, you can simply relax and enjoy it.
Easy to use, comfortably discreet.
Robust enough to withstand the rigors of daily life, Motion is IP67-rated to resist moisture, dust and dirt. A choice of earhook or ThinTube ensures maximum hearing and wearing comfort.
Enjoy life's true sound.
Whether it's an open-plan office, a crowded store or a busy restaurant, wherever there's a high level of ambient noise, holding a conversation requires concentration and effort. Straining to hear voices in these situations is tiring – a fact that even people with normal hearing are familiar with.
The new Motion helps relieve this. Its advanced SPEECH function continuously monitors what you are listening to and singles out the dominant speaker to reduce unwanted voices and background noise. You hear what you want but not the rest. As a result, hearing becomes effortless and less tiring than normal hearing. All day long.
Celebrations with the family. And Motion.
Breakfast excitement.
Your niece and nephew are visiting. Around the breakfast table, they're chatting excitedly about the day's plans. Voices are bouncing around the table and the sounds of forks and spoons are clinking away distractingly in the background. Motion brings outstanding performance to the table to make sure you don't miss a thing. Its advanced automatic SPEECH function singles out the speech while simultaneously engaging SoundSmoothing™ to reduce the clattering of cutlery.
Thanks to Motion, you easily hear what matters. In fact, it makes hearing so effortless that all you have to think about is whether to have yoghurt or muesli. Or both.
Scoops of pleasure.
Outside the ice cream parlor, everyone is enjoying the breeze and watching the traffic go by. With the sound of chatter all around, Motion rises to the challenge. Its automatic SPEECH function singles out the speech while simultaneously engaging noise reduction and eWindScreen™ binaural to reduce wind noise and suppress the sound of the cars so that you clearly hear every word.
A joyful celebration.
At a lively gala party, your discussion is one in a crowd of conversations but Motion manages it superbly. As the party moves into a large ballroom, the chatter bounces around left, right and center. As it echoes off the walls, Motion's EchoShield program softens the reflected sound so you can concentrate on enjoying the party.
Music fidelity you'll really appreciate.
Motion's HD Music program delivers outstanding sound quality specially created to let you fully enjoy music. Whether you're enjoying your favorite music at a concert, listening at home on your own HiFi system, or even on stage performing music yourself, HD Music offers an optimized and superb listening experience.
Motion at a glance
Accessories for hearing aids.
Personalize your hearing experience.
Bringing the kids to school in the morning, meeting friends during your lunch break, watching TV in the evening: Every day is full of different listening situations and conversations. Wouldn't it be great if you could stream sound right into your ears, discreetly adjust your hearing aids and easily recharge them?
Audio shoe
The optional integrated audio shoe on Motion SA provides direct audio input streamed from FM systems. This is especially helpful in noisy environments such as classrooms.
Audio Streaming
easyTek. Technology that's easy to use.
Transforming wireless hearing aids into a highquality, stereo headset is simple. The smart multi-function button lets you turn easyTek™ on and off, answer a phone call, change listening programs or easily switch audio sources like music players, TVs and more, with just one button. The straightforward volume controls allow you to quickly change the volume of your hearing aids. And the easy-to-read LED lights give you important information, such as when it's time to recharge the battery.
Accessories for easyTek
Following accessories are useful supplements for easyTek
Your connection to easyTek: TV Transmitter.
The TV Transmitter* connects TVs without Bluetooth functionality to the easyTek. This way, you can wirelessly stream sound directly into your hearing aids and fully enjoy your favorite movie.
* Available as of autumn 2016.
easyTek App. More discretion, more convenience, more possibilities.
The easyTek App™ gives the easyTek even more functionality while adding the element of discretion.
Even exceeding the easyTek in features, the easyTek App lets you see the status of your hearing aids on your smartphone's screen, stream sound from audio sources or use it as a remote control. And because you can make all adjustments with your smartphone, changing your hearing aid settings simply looks like checking for a message.
Download easyTek App
Remote Controls
Remote control: easyPocket.
The sleek easyPocket™ with its large, convenient buttons and an easy-to-read display makes controlling the features of your hearing aids easier than ever before.
Discreet control: miniPocket.
The ideal solution for anyone who wants discreet, convenient control of their hearing aids without the need for a large remote control or smartphone. Reliable and easy to use, the miniPocket is small enough to carry on a key ring yet powerful enough to control all essential features.
touchControl App. Complete discretion in the palm of your hands.
Turn your smartphone into a discreet remote control for your hearing aids: The touchControl App™ lets you enjoy a high level of handling comfort right at your fingertips.
Change hearing programs and adjust the volume, bass and treble to suit your needs. All you need is a smartphone.
Download touchControl App
Charging station: eCharger.
The eCharger recharges and dehumidifies hearing aids overnight, so you don't need to worry about changing batteries.
Your eCharger goes mobile: Car adapter.
The optional car adapter lets you take your eCharger with you even when you're on the road so you can top up your hearing aid batteries wherever you go.
Relief is at hand.
With its static presets and ocean wave tinnitus therapy signals, Ace provides welcome relief for tinnitus sufferers. Ask your Hearing Care Professional which solution is best for you.Learn more


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Obama's visit comes amid tight governor's race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The last time President Barack Obama celebrated workers' rights at a Wisconsin Labor Day event, there was barely a hint of the turmoil that would embroil the state later when public employees staged massive protests in an unsuccessful bid to keep their collective bargaining rights.
Now, four years later, he's returning to the state with the anti-union law's architect, Republican Gov. Scott Walker, locked in a tight re-election campaign while considering a run for the White House in two years.
Polls show that Walker and Democrat Mary Burke are deadlocked with the election just over two months away. Walker is running on the platform that he turned around the state's economy, thanks largely to his union rights law, which was his signature accomplishment.
FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama greets supporters before speaking on the economy at the Milwaukee Laborfest in Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee. The last time President Barack Obama came to Wisconsin to celebrate workers' rights on Labor Day, there was barely a hint of the turmoil that was to come just months later as public employees fought unsuccessfully to retain their ability to collectively bargain. Now, four years later, as the architect of the law that stripped unions of that power faces re-election, Obama is coming back to Milwaukee for an event also featuring Gov. Scott Walker's Democratic challenger Mary Burke. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
That law, which put Wisconsin at the center of a national debate over union rights, stripped most public sector union members of their ability to collectively bargain and required them to pay more for their pensions and health care, which amounted to a pay cut.
Burke, a former state Commerce Department secretary and Trek Bicycles executive, isn't promising to repeal the law if she's elected. But she does support the restoration of public workers' collective bargaining rights.
Obama's visit to this year's "Laborfest" will mark the first time he and Burke have appeared at the same public event, but there are no plans for them to share the stage. Burke will meet privately with Obama, her spokesman Joe Zepecki said, and she will not be speaking at the labor rally because it's not a campaign event.
Burke has invited Obama to return for a campaign event before the election and is optimistic that will happen, Zepecki said.
Republicans are trying to turn the visit against Burke as Obama's approval ratings in the state hover below 50 percent. A Marquette University Law School poll released on Wednesday showed that just as many likely voters — 49 percent — have a favorable view of the president as an unfavorable one.
"Mary Burke is willing to meet with President Obama in private but she refuses to campaign with him in public?" said Walker's campaign spokeswoman Alleigh Marre. "Burke can offer up excuses and try to hide from President Obama and his rotten approval ratings, but she can't hide from the fact that her and the president's failed economic policies are one and the same."
Much has changed in Wisconsin since Obama's last Labor Day appearance four years ago.
"Public sector unions are clearly not better off," said Paul Secunda, labor law professor and program coordinator for the Marquette Law School's Labor and Employment Law Program in Milwaukee.
In 2010, just over 15 percent of private and public sector workers in Wisconsin were represented by unions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in 2013, that had dropped to just over 13 percent, still above the national average of 12.4 percent. While private union representation has held steady in Wisconsin, it dropped nearly 25 percent in the public sector, thanks to Walker's law.
"Public sector unions have hemorrhaged members as it's become impossible for them to service their members," Secunda said. "It makes no sense for a public sector employee to join a union when they can't offer them anything."
Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sbauerAP
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You are here
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $51 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Alaska, Guam and New Jersey. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce carbon pollution.
"This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence," said Secretary Chu. "It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly."
The states and territories receiving funding today will now have received 50 percent of their total Recovery Act SEP funding. The remaining 50 percent of funds will be released once the states meet reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act.
Activities eligible for State Energy Program funding include energy audits, building retrofits, education and training efforts, transportation programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.
The Recovery Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program (SEP) to help promote energy efficiency and clean energy deployment, as well as to support local economic recovery. States use these grants at the state and local level to create green jobs and address state energy priorities.
Transparency and accountability are important priorities for SEP and all Recovery Act projects. Throughout the program's implementation, DOE will provide strong oversight at the local, state, and national level, while emphasizing with states the need to quickly award funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies.
The following states and territories are receiving awards today:
ALASKA - $14,116,000 awarded today
The state of Alaska will use its Recovery Act SEP funding to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy across the state, particularly in Alaska's many rural communities. The Alaska Energy Authority's Alternative Energy and Efficiency Program (AEEE) will focus on outreach efforts and technical assistance to improve efficiency in schools, commercial buildings, industrial users, and large local facilities. In addition, AEEE will help communities develop pilot projects that integrate electrical and heating needs into a combined energy system powered by renewable energy. These systems will reduce diesel use, save money on the cost of energy and decrease a community's carbon footprint.
In addition, the state will expand its Whole Community Retrofit program, which conducts energy retrofit assessments on community and residential buildings in rural Alaska. Once recommendations have been approved, the program works to implement the retrofits, reducing energy use and energy costs for rural communities across the state. Alaska will also establish a Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program to provide rebates of up to $3,750 per household when homeowners install specific renewable energy systems on their homes.
Alaska is receiving 50 percent of its total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the Recovery Act today. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive more than $14 million in additional funding, for a total of over $28 million.
GUAM - $7,639,200 awarded today
Guam will use its Recovery Act SEP funds to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy though energy efficiency retrofits, strong policy leadership, and public education efforts. In public buildings across Guam, the territory's Energy Office will conduct energy audits and put in place cost-effective energy retrofits. In addition, lighting efficiency standards will be incorporated as part of the procurement regulations, and public officials will be trained to maximize the energy efficiency of lighting installations.
In order to set a strong policy direction in the territory, Guam continues to improve on its energy code and has teamed up with other territories and Hawaii to develop a Tropical Energy Code. The territory will also assess local renewable energy potential and deploy pilot projects, which will provide data that can be used to promote commercial market development for various renewable energy technologies.
Public education of residents, businesses, students, and even tourists will also form an important part of Guam's overall energy strategy. In particular, Guam will promote greater use of public transportation options and launch a "Do Your Part, Drive Smart" campaign that will educate drivers about fuel efficiency.
In order to ensure accountability and effective management of SEP funds, the Guam Energy Office will institute a task force to coordinate effectively between local and federal agencies and track project spending.
Guam is receiving 40 percent of its total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the Recovery Act today, adding to the initial 10 percent of funding that was previously available for training and planning purposes. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the territory will receive more than $9 million in additional funding, for a total of over $19 million.
NEW JERSEY - $29,457,200 awarded today
New Jersey will use its Recovery Act SEP funding to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy across the state's economic sectors. New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency will implement several financial incentive programs that will help support residential solar, residential energy efficiency and multi-family energy efficiency improvements
The state will also use Recovery Act funds to expand its existing Clean Energy Program (CEP), administered through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. With the expanded program, the state will be able to offer energy efficiency support to consumers that are not currently eligible for funds. The Clean Energy Program will work with a variety of energy efficiency initiatives, including the Home Performance with Energy Star Program, the Pay for Performance Program, the Local Government Energy Audit Program, and the Direct Install Program.
Recovery Act funds will also support comprehensive energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades for three state institutions with multi-building campuses that provide various services for developmentally disabled citizens. New Jersey will put in place energy conservation measures that maximize energy cost savings, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission reductions, job creation, and the public benefit.
New Jersey is receiving 40 percent of its total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the Recovery Act today, adding to the initial 10 percent of funding that was previously available for training and planning purposes. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive nearly $37 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $73 million.
Media contact(s):
(202) 586-4940


text: Solve the slipping concerns of older dogs and those with hip and joint problems with this fashionable solution! Dog Socks feature a rubberized anti-slip pad on the bottom to give your pup traction on slippery surfaces such as tile, slate, wood floors, and polished concrete. Dogs may prance when first wearing Dog Socks. Distract your dog with their favorite toy or treat until they get used to their new footwear. Dog Socks are also helpful for protecting paws from excessive licking and chewing. They also help keep your dog from scratching themselves. Great for allergy sufferers! Use with supervision.


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Next: ax_sys_dev_poll, Previous: ax_swig_python, Up: The Macros
Switch common compilation flags from temporary variables between two compilation namespace.
Compilation flags includes: CPPFLAGS, CFLAGS, CXXFLAGS, LDFLAGS, LIBS, OBJCFLAGS.
By default these flags are restored to a global (empty) namespace, but user could restore from specific NAMESPACE by using AX_RESTORE_FLAGS(NAMESPACE) macro.
Typical usage is like:
AX_SAVE_FLAGS(beginprogram) CPPFLAGS="-Imypackagespath ${CPPFLAGS}" AX_SWITCH_FLAGS(mypackage,beginprogram)
Download the latest version of ax_switch_flags.m4 or browse the macro's revision history.
Copyright © 2009 Filippo Giunchedi email@example.com
Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Copyright © 2011 Russ Allbery email@example.com
Copyright © 2013 Bastien ROUCARIES firstname.lastname@example.com
Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, are permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright notice and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, without any warranty.


text:
Our store in Listowel Ontario houses the complete collections of Patons, Bernat, Lily, and Phentex yarns with full colour ranges and patterns to inspire. We also house Canada's largest selection of discontinued and discounted mill end yarns. You'll enjoy seeing so many knit and crochet display items including sweaters, socks, baby wear and afghans that are sure to spark your creativity!
We cater to everyone from the very green beginner to the expert knitter or crocheter. Helpful staff will happily assist you in your project planning, pattern reading and yarn selection and we are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday to serve you (Closed Sunday).
Upcoming Sales.....
Check out our latest flyer for information on this month's sales!


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I haven't remembered a dream about Trump in a long time, but back on August 3, 2015, long before I had any idea he'd become President, I blogged about a dream in which I was talking about Trump, then saw that he was there listening in on me. But I had another dream about Trump. I'm not sure when I had it, but I told you about it on May 9, 2016 (because I was blogging someone's saying that Trump had succeeded by being "vulgar, abusive, nasty, rude, boorish and outrageous," and "saying what he thinks and, more important, teaching Americans how to think for themselves again"):
I had a dream about Trump a while back. It may have been part of this dream I told you about on August 3, 2015. This part of the dream isn't in that description, but it's the part I've remembered and thought about over these past 8 months: I thanked him, effusively, for teaching us to have the courage to speak freely.What I didn't tell you even then was that I hugged Trump as I thanked him effusively. At the time I had that dream I wasn't consciously aware of liking Trump at all, so the dream made a big impression on me. There was something about Trump that I thought was tremendously helpful, and I really wanted to tell him.


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Movietone create beguiling musical statements that draw explicit influence from the coastlines of England. When the band recorded a film as a backdrop to their live shows, it featured band members in home made sea-creature outfits and concluded with one of the group wriggling about in the sand dressed as a starfish while their last, lovely release The Blossom Filled Streets invoked images like "1950s chairs weathered by the salt in the air, rocks and grey and the sand and the yellow and the aquamarine in the ocean." As if to make this influence even more explicit, new long-player, The Sand And The Stars was even partially recorded on a beach, an experience that involved the band carrying a double bass down a cliff. Taking its trigger from a review of The Blossom Filled Streets, The Sand And The Stars is explicitly intended to sound like "a jazz record being played from across the bay." "We found the perfect bay in which to play the music, near Land's End," recalls the group's vocalist/guitarist Kate Wright, "The sand shelved gently and the waves were loud even on calm days. We found a house to rent above the bay. The path down to the beach was steeper than I remembered and fairly difficult to navigate in the dark. But there were clear nights under the stars. We recorded on the beach with two microphones." Alongside the likes of Nina Simone, Jefferson Airplane, The Carter Family, The Band and Sandy Denny, Wright recalls the field recordings of late ethnomusicologist, record producer and radio producer Alan Lomax as a specific inspiration on the recording of The Sand And The Stars: "We wanted to capture all the sounds of life outside the silent walls of the recording studio. The locations were chosen to suit the songs." "Snow Is Falling" demanded the sepulchral, resonant sound of a church, "Ocean Song" needed a warehouse, "Near Marconi's Hut" was recorded on a cliff path near a gorge where the seagulls swooped and cried. Movietone's understated music has been compared to "exercises in painting rather than in composing: the elements are carefully orchestrated on the canvas, with consistency of colour a clear mandate." It's an intriguing and effective comparison that acknowledges Movietone's deft and considered deployal of their instruments and the power of the band to evoke specific imagery. Like the mythological sirens who would lure sailors into the sea with their sweet voices, the band even recorded "Beach Samba" as a deliberate attempt to "make everyone listening want to rush to the beach for a dip - the light sparkling on the blue sea, the sand between your toes, the swell of the cool green water, staring at the cliffs from the sea." Plunge in!
This band shares members with Crescent.


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The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre welcomed its first patients on Monday 2nd April 2012. It is now a busy centre providing facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of cancer and non-cancer conditions alongside Macmillan support and information services for patients, their carers and families.
We hope that the website has all of the information that you need about the Cancer Centre and your visit to it; if you have any other questions before your visit then please contact the Cancer Centre team via the contact details to the right of the page.
Many of the patients we treat at the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre are at higher risk from Covid-19. For this reason we are severely restricting access to the building including a policy of no visitors except in exceptional circumstances. Everyone entering the building will be screened before entry and may not be admitted.
If you are due to visit the Cancer Centre and develop symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) please contact your clinical team as soon as possible, prior to attending the Cancer Centre, so that we can confirm if it is still appropriate for your visit to go ahead.
From 20 April 2019, bus stops around University College Hospital area will change as a result of the West End Project. Southbound buses will move from Gower Street to Tottenham Court Road.
Buses 14, 24, 73, 134 and 390 will serve Tottenham Court Road north and southbound. The 73 (toward Oxford Circus) and the 390 (to Victoria) will stop outside University College Hospital on Euston Road.
Click here to view a local map of bus and tube stops. Please note: You can travel on buses and trams using an Oyster or contactless payment card with pay as you go credit, or you can add a Travelcard or Bus & Tram pass to your Oyster card. You are no longer able to use cash to pay for your bus fare.
Nearest tube stations are:
Warren Street (Northern / Victoria Lines)Euston Square (Circle / Hammersmith & City / Metropolitan Lines)
If you cycle to any of our hospitals you can check available local cycle parking on the Transport for London website.
Patient transport drop off and collection at the UCH campus
Patient Transport Services [PTS], London Ambulance Services [LAS] and private ambulances drop off and collect patients at the front of University College Hospital [UCH] on Euston Road.
Access should only be from Euston Road and not from Hampstead or Tottenham Court Road. Private vehicles are not permitted to drop off or collect patients from this area nor are they allowed to cross the solid white line into the PTS area, passing across the solid white line in an attempt to turn into the ambulance bay from the west is a dangerous manoeuvre and is an offence prohibited under Regulations 10 and 26 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2012.
The TSRGD specifies traffic signs and their associated meanings, as well as the regulations associated with them, if breached, Transport for London [TfL] may issue a Penalty Charge Notice [PCN] to unauthorised vehicles.
We are currently working with Transport for London to find out if we can make the current drop off and collection areas bigger and easier to access.
Private vehicles drop off and collection at the UCH campus
Private vehicles can drop off and collect from Beaumont Place at the rear of UCH, parking will not be permitted, only drop off and collection. There are very limited drop off points for other car users. However, when the blue badge/disabled spaces are empty, they can be used by non-blue badge holders for drop off and collection to the University College Hospital. There are no other patient or visitor car parking facilities at UCLH.
Blue badge/disabled car parking and drop off at University College Hospital (UCH)
Here is a map which shows disabled car parking and drop off areas
Please download the Parking for Blue Badge holders patient information leaflet
What is a dispensation notice?
It is a Camden Council's parking scheme for patients attending University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). Areas in Camden, south of the Euston Road, are not covered by the national Blue Badge disabled parking scheme. If you want to park near, or in UCLH disabled parking bays, you will need to apply for a parking dispensation to use with your Blue Badge. A dispensation notice is required for parking in and around the main UCH site, EGAH and UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre sites only. Dispensation notices are not required for: NHNN/Queens Square, RNTNEH, RLHIM, UCHWMS and EDH.
How to apply for a parking dispensation
On your first visit to University College Hospital or the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre you need to park your car and bring the following to the reception desk:
Please note: Dispensations are only issued to UCLH patients with Blue Badges who are attending hospital outpatient appointments, day cases and the Emergency Department. They are not issued to carers, relatives, visitors or friends who are Blue Badge holders bringing a non-Blue Badge holder patient to an appointment. Dispensation notices are not issued to inpatients, overnight parking is not permitted.
If you have a question about disabled parking, or would like to apply for a dispensation notice in advance or would like to speak with a member of staff please email your query to firstname.lastname@example.com or telephone: 020 344 79922.
Please note:No other car parking is available.
For information on parking in the areas surrounding UCH please visit http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/nw1_2bu/
Car Parking at the UCH campus
Please note:No car parking (other than patients with Blue Badges who are attending hospital outpatient appointments, day cases and the Emergency Department) is available at the UCH campus.
For information on parking in the areas surrounding University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre please visit http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/wc1e_6ag/.
To book transport please contact:
If you are in receipt of benefits you may be entitled to reclaim transport fares when visiting the hospital for an inpatient or outpatient appointment. Please ask the clinic staff for an attendance form and take this to the appropriate hospital's Cashiers Office. Reimbursement can be made at the time of your visit if you can produce your benefit book.
If you need assistance to plan or make a journey the National Rail Enquiries website provides information on the support available.
The page provides a summary of the services available including a list of train companies and their access information.
It is recommended that you book help 24 hours before you travel. This enables staff to give you as much information as possible before your travel; make alternative arrangements for you if the station is not step free or not staffed at the time you wish to travel; and ensure that there are enough staff for all the assistance requests at a station.
For information on reclaiming the Congestion Charge click here.
For information on reclaiming the ULEZ charge click here.
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50London Travel Information: 020 7222 1234
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer CentreHuntley StreetLondon WC1E 6AG
Useful phone numbersOutpatient contact detailsChemotherapy Department: 020 3447 3893Ambulatory Care Department: 020 3447 8695All Haematology patients (except transplant patients): 020 3447 7359Transplant patients: 020 3447 9712Teenagers and Young Adults Service: 020 3447 1837
Alternatively, please call us on our switchboard number: 0845 155 5000 or 020 3456 7890


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about our upcoming exhibitions, events, featured artists, special promotions, and more!
Gekko Ogata was born in Edo on September 5th, 1859. He originally went by Masanosuke Nagami. His father was a prosperous member of the community but went bankrupt when Gekko was seventeen. With no formal training in art, Gekko commenced his artistic pursuits as an illustrator for newspapers and books. He soon broadened his interest to painting, lacquer and pottery. As he gained popularity as a print artist, he began using the name Gekko in 1884. It is said that he took the name from the famous artist Korin Ogata at the request of Korin's family. Gekko was well respected and recognized during his lifetime. A member of Meiji Fine Art Society, he assisted in founding the Japan Youth Painting Association alongside Kakuzo Okakura in 1891. He received a gold medal at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair for selections from the series One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji. Gekko perfected his style over his career, merging ukiyo-e printing, nihonga (Japanese-style painting), Shijo-style painting and Chinese painting. His rich artistic background and unique approach to printmaking impart his works with an appearance more akin to a painting than a traditional print. Other artist names used by Gekko include Kagyosai, Meikyosai, Nen'yu, and Rosai.
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10 Forgotten Hair Metal Songs That Deserve To Be Remembered
Give these songs and bands some respect
It's the genre that critics loved to hate and fans have kept around to this day: hair metal. The label in and of itself is limiting and loathed by those involved, but it's the easiest way to describe the kind of hard-rocking, meticulously-produced, guitar solo-infused music that took off in the early to mid '80s and stuck around the top of the charts until the early 90s.
Related: Motley Crue Movie Finally Gets Release Date
Bands like Warrant, Ratt and Poison appealed to almost everyone who grew up in their era. Guys wanted to be them and girls wanted to be with them. These are not each band's biggest songs – just music that deserves to be revisited. Most of the tracks on the list were singles though, while others were deep cuts that only die-hard fans had the privilege of listening to on cassette.
Warrant - Uncle Tom's Cabin
Banjo and acoustic guitar start the song off before it explodes into a hard-rocking epic, complete with a dramatic made-for-MTV video.
Great White – Mista Bone
The groove. Enough said. Well, there's the killer bluesy guitar solo too.
Ratt – Way Cool Jr.
The second single from 1988's Reach for the Sky solidified Ratt as better songwriters and musicians than many of their contemporaries
Cinderella – Coming Home
The Philly-area band didn't stay hair metal for long after their 1986 debut, Night Songs. But their image stayed with them forever.
Slaughter – Street of Broken Hearts
The band had a slew of hits, including "Up all Night" and "Fly to the Angels," but this track from 1992's The Wild Life holds up just as well with its vocal harmonies and warm rhythm guitar tone.
Enuff Z'Nuff – Mother's Eyes
They looked more hair metal than they actually sounded. This is one of their catchiest choruses.
L.A. Guns – It's Over Now
The band that took the Guns from Guns N' Roses stripped things down on this track from 1991's Hollywood Vampires.
White Lion – Lady of the Valley
Vito Bratta might have been one of the most underappreciated guitarists in the genre.
FireHouse – Don't Treat Me Bad
C.J. Snare might have been one of the most underappreciated vocalists in the genre.
Poison – Fallen Angel
Just a great, melodic rock 'n' roll song that tells the story of the thousands of girls from around the country who lose their way while trying to make it in Hollywood.
Note: bands like Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi were not considered for this list. They are either too big and transcend the genre, or aren't in the genre at all, depending on your point of view.


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What Posters Must Employers Display based on NY Employment Laws?
A number of laws have been passed that require employers to display posters. It is often hard to keep up with all the requirements and know whether or not you've displayed all the posters.
The New York Department of Labor has a list of all the posters employers must display. Also, keep in mind that certain types of industries have additional posters to display based on laws related to their specific fields. For example, business owners engaged in the sale or service of food or beverages have additional required posters to display.
The following links provide access to the posters or information about the posters:
All Employers Must Display the Following Posters
Certain Industries Must Also Display the Following Posters
Public Employees: New York State Department of Labor Division of Safety & Health Public Employees Job Safety & Health Protection Poster
Every employer engaged in the sale or service of food or beverages must post the following two posters:
Construction contractors must post the following:
The current Prevailing Rate Schedule must be:
Posted on the site of the public work project where workers can see and access it
Encased in, or made of, weatherproof materials
Titled "PREVAILING RATE OF WAGES" in letters at least 2 inches by 2 inches
Construction Industry Fair Play Act (English)
Construction Industry Fair Play Act (Spanish)
Get Legal Help to Deal with Employment Law Compliance
If you have questions as to whether you are incompliance with employment laws, consult with an experienced employment defense attorney. Stephen Hans & Associates offers seasoned legal guidance to assist business owners with employment issues.


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SEOUL, South Korea -- Some South Koreans are easing the "Dog Days of Summer" by embracing a tradition of eating dog meat to help survive a heat wave gripping the country.
Animal rights activists, meanwhile, packed themselves into wire cages to protest the eating of dogs.
Tuesday is the day South Koreans traditionally eat dog meat and other foods that they believe will help ease the heat by increasing their stamina.
The Yonhap news agency says Seoul is currently undergoing the longest period of time with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) since 1994.
Dog meat restaurants in Seoul say they served more customers than usual on Tuesday.