April 14, 2009
National Science Foundation Press Release, April 14, 2009 The National Science Board (NSB) today released a draft report, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future,” for public review and comment. The report calls on the nation to lead the fundamental transformation of the current energy economy from one that is dependent on fossil fuel to one that thrives on… Read More
April 9, 2009
Before the commencement of the April District Work Period, Congress gave final approval to Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service for the first time since its inception in 2003 and significantly expands national service opportunities. See below for an overview of the legislation. President… Read More
April 3, 2009
On Thursday April 2nd, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Patent Reform Act of 2009 (S. 515) by 15-4 vote after an agreement was reach on how to award damages in infringement cases. The bill establishes judges as the mechanism for deciding hwat evidence can be presented to juries in determining how to award damages. Additionally,… Read More
April 2, 2009
On April 1st, President Obama nominated Martha Kanter to serve as Under Secretary of Education -the nation’s top post-secondary education post. If confirmed, Dr. Kanter would be the first community college official to serve at or above the number 3 slot in the Department of Education. Excerpt from Biography Martha J. Kanter is chancellor of the… Read More
March 26, 2009
The House yesterday passed HR 146, which contains more than 150 measures to designate more than 2 million acres of new wilderness areas, including wild and scenic rivers, historic sites, scenic trails and protected lands. This should have been a non-controversial bill, but disagreement arose over the issue of gun rights in national parks. The… Read More
March 24, 2009
The Association of American Universities has posted on its website materials for advocacy on behalf of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The materials include a document on the importance of NEH and the humanities—with a focus on the restoration of funding for core program divisions and the creation of a new graduate education program—with… Read More
March 5, 2009
On March 3rd, the House and Senate judiciary committees introduced bipartisan patent reform legislation. The legislation has been considered by the previous two Congresses with little result to date. The Patent Reform Act of 2009 was introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Lamar Smith… Read More
March 3, 2009
Below, please find individual projects information sheets for the initiatives selected for the UW Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Agenda. The projects identified below combined with a forthcoming set of federal agency/program funding recommendations constitute the University’s primary federal advocacy plan for the coming year. Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI)… Read More
March 2, 2009
The University of Washington Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Agenda is now final. The document proposes partnerships with the federal government on a number of high priority projects that will have a significant impact on our institution, state, and region. In the coming months, the Office of Federal Relations will work to garner support for the UW federal… Read More
February 17, 2009
Last week, the Brookings Institution released a proposal to establish a network of regional energy discovery and innovation institutes (e-DIIs). According to the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, the e-DIIs would support the overarching goals of renewing America’s economy, promoting energy independence, and addressing climate change. Cities that are currently leaders in innovation, like Seattle, would… Read More
