By Michael Wojnar On Friday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved the final conference report on the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), legislation to reform and reauthorize surface transportation programs through 2014. MAP-21 finally replaces the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: June 2012
The Ambitious Agenda of U.S. Mayors
Posted in 2012 Elections, Energy Policy, Health Policy, Infrastructure, Mayors, Trade, TransportationBy Rosalind Rubens Newell and Bandele McQueen The U.S. Conference of Mayors gathered recently in Orlando, Florida for its 80th Annual Meeting, hosted by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. This bipartisan organization serves as a bellwether for rising issues that are of importance to cities of varying sizes across the country. The programmatic theme for this year’s year’s annual… Continue Reading
The Supreme Court and the Affordable Care Act: Interpreting the Decision
Posted in 2012 Elections, Health PolicyBy Cindy Gillespie Today, we held a discussion to help interpret the Supreme Court’s decision and to consider the implications for the U.S. health care industry, employers, government contractors, and financial markets. Members of our Litigation, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Government Contracting, Health Care Regulatory, and Employee Benefits practices presented and fielded questions. Click… Continue Reading
Internet Regulatory Policy: My Report from Venice, Italy
Posted in Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Public-Private PartnershipsBy Dan Caprio Last week, Venice, Italy played host to IoT Week 2012 and the IoT International Forum. Known in Europe as “IoT – The Internet of Things” and in the U.S. as “smart innovation,” “smart grids,” and “smart transportation,” this exciting field is increasingly demonstrating both market growth and the potential to bring about tangible… Continue Reading
EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2012 Predicts Increased Domestic Energy Security
Posted in Energy PolicyBy Andrew Shaw Today, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Annual Energy Outlook 2012, which provides projections on U.S. energy consumption, production and use through 2035. EIA’s report is another sign that the U.S., through a variety of factors, is moving toward greater energy security. EIA’s report estimates that U.S. petroleum imports will continue… Continue Reading
Weekly Health Policy Update: Community Health Center Funding, HHS Conversion Comments, and FDA User Fee Bill Approval
Posted in Health PolicyBy Cindy Gillespie Each week, our Health Policy team recaps recent health care developments in two reports, Weekly Health Care Wrap-Up and Health Insurance Exchanges: State of the States. Weekly Health Care Wrap-Up. Click here for our weekly look at regulatory developments affecting health care at the federal and state level. Last week, more funding for community health… Continue Reading
FEC Approves Use of Text-Messaging in Campaign Fundraising
Posted in 2012 Elections, Campaign Finance, Political LawBy David Fine and Mason Smith In a recent advisory opinion, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) unanimously voted to approve the use of text messaging to facilitate political donations by any American with a cell phone. The Commission held that a plan proposed by two political and media consulting firms and m-Qube, a corporate aggregator of… Continue Reading
Chairman Baucus on Tax Reform
Posted in Tax PolicyBy Joe Dowley A relatively early, and small, step was taken today on what is likely to be a long road ahead. In a speech that amounted to a ringing endorsement of the need for tax reform, but that stopped well short of providing much more than themes, Chairman Max Baucus set forth his view… Continue Reading
HHS Makes Game Changing Exchange Provision for Agents and Brokers
Posted in Health PolicyBy Cindy Gillespie Agents, brokers and private exchanges may have a new opportunity to access potential exchange customers as a result of a decision by HHS in its March 2012 health insurance exchange final rule. Specifically, HHS opened the door for states to allow an agent or broker to enroll individuals, employers or employees in… Continue Reading
Political ‘Odd Couple’ Provides Bipartisan Hope for Canadian Clean Energy
Posted in Canada-U.S. Relations, Energy PolicyBy Jon Sohn Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) On May 17th, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources… Continue Reading
Weekly Health Policy Update: CCIIO Reinsurance Bulletin, Medical Device Legislation, and More Aging and Disability Funding
Posted in Health PolicyBy Cindy Gillespie Each week, our Health Policy team recaps recent health care developments in two reports, Weekly Health Care Wrap-Up and Health Insurance Exchanges: State of the States. Weekly Health Care Wrap-Up. Click here for our weekly look at regulatory developments affecting health care at the federal and state level. Last week, the Center for Consumer Information… Continue Reading
Finalizing Public-Private Partnerships Legislation Will Lead To New Infrastructure
Posted in Infrastructure, Legislatures (State), Public-Private Partnerships, TransportationBy Frank Rapoport Two major conferences focusing on public-private partnership (P3) opportunities are set to take place in the coming weeks. The Urban Land Institute’s Global Marketplace Conference on June 7 in Philadelphia will bring together 500 real estate leaders and decision-makers to discuss what’s next in the world of real estate lending, development, planning, design and related services,… Continue Reading