2000 Features...

12/28/00 - Census Changes States’ Representation
Initial Census 2000 figures show a US population of 281,421,906. New state population totals will now be used to adjust how many House seats each state gets in Congress. Some states gain, some lose, most stay the same. 

12/26/00 - FCC Auctions off $15 Billion In Air
The FCC expects to receive bids totaling $15 billion in an auction. Good grief! What's up for bid? It's not the original copy of the Constitution. Not George Washington's wig, nor Lincoln's first split rail. Instead, it is -- air.

12/23/00 - Job Alert: Hiring 3,500 Firefighters
The Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest service will soon be hiring some 3,500 new firefighters. The positions are being added in response to last summer's devastating fire season during which more that 84,000 wildfires were fought. 

12/22/00 - New Law Protects Privacy of Medical Records
The person who often has the hardest time getting their hands on your personal medical records is you. That should change after the new privacy protection laws for personal health information announced yesterday by President Clinton take effect. 

12/21/00 - ‘Organic’ Must Now Mean Organic - USDA
The USDA just planted a new set of rules and standards for organically grown foods on U.S. farmers, retailers and consumers. Even after 10 years of study and over 41,000 public comments, it still going to take a while for everyone to digest them. 

12/20/00 - Postal Service Says It Needs Even More
Cost of a first-class US stamp jumps a penny to 34-cents on Jan. 7, 2000, as rates for postal services increase some 4.6 percent. Still not enough, according to the Postal Board of Governors.

12/18/00 - USDA Cracks Plant Genome Puzzle
USDA researchers unraveled the mouse ear cress genome -- a breakthrough in plant genome research that could lead directly to production of an easily sustainable global food supply without threatening the environment. 

12/16/00 - 'Real' Election Starts Monday
Most times, nobody even knows when the Electoral College votes. This year, everybody will be watching very closely on Monday. Just two "faithless" Bush electors would send the election to Congress. What then? 

12/14/00 - Congress – Clinton Agree on Budget
Today, President Clinton along with Republicans and Democrats from Congress agreed on a combined compromise spending bill that will complete the $1.8 trillion 2001 federal budget just 75 days late. Has the bipartisan healing already started?

12/13/00 - Gore Concedes – Calls for Healing
"Defeat as well as victory serves to shape the soul..." Quoting his late father, Vice President Al Gore tonight conceded the presidential election to George W. Bush and promised he would now work to "heal the divisions" left by the disputed outcome. 

12/13/00 - High Court Not Political, Justices Say
After concurring in a 5-4 ruling that ultimately decided a presidential election, Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Clarence Thomas appeared on cable TV where they denied that partisan politics plays any role in the Supreme Court. 

12/12/00 - Supreme Court Decision Goes for Bush
A divided US Supreme Court has reversed a Florida Supreme Court decision that had ordered recounts of undervote ballots in all Florida counties. Stinging dissenting opinions were written by Justices Stevens, Ginsburg, Breyer and Souter.

12/11/00 - Seminole County Voter Fraud Case
The Seminole County voter fraud case, now being appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, may be as critical to the outcome of the presidential election as the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the fate of vote recounts.

12/10/00 - US Supreme Court Hears Recount Appeal
Will Florida’s contested votes be recounted or not? That’s up to the US Supreme Court, where both sides present arguments on Dec. 11. Why did the US Supreme Court stop the recounts, and will their next decision finally give us a president? 

12/08/00 - Clinton Acts to Battle Flight Delays
President Clinton will soon hand over the keys to Air Force One and join the rest of us sleeping in airports waiting for flights long delayed by an aging air traffic control system. Unlike us, however, Mr. Clinton can do something about it.

12/07/00 - Pearl Harbor Day
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Navy Mess Attendant 1st Class Doris Miller did not cook breakfast for his shipmates as usual. Instead, Miller stood firing a machine gun, defending the USS Virginia against attacking warplanes at Pearl Harbor. 

12/06/00 - Team Bush is Hiring – Apply Online
The Bush-Cheney team has created a new Web site including online and offline job applications for thousands of possible job openings in its presidential administration, should there be one on Jan. 20, 2001. 

12/05/00 - Lame Duck Congress Must Finish Budget
Members of Congress, many of whom will no longer be members of Congress next year, must now muster up enough post-election bipartisan cooperation to complete work on four remaining 2001 budget bills highlighted by the $40 billion education budget. 

12/04/00 - Bush Supreme Court Appeal: The Decision
The US Supreme Court has vacated the Nov. 24 ruling by the Florida Supreme Court allowing for recounted votes to be included in totals. The ruling asks the Florida Court to clarify the legal basis for its decision.

12/04/00 - Who ARE the Electors?
Are the electors of the Electoral College real people? Do they have names? What qualifies them to be electors? Where is this information listed, and is it public information? 

12/02/00 - Remains of 19 WWII Marines Identified
Listed as ‘missing in action’ for over 58 years, the remains of 19 U.S. Marine Raiders killed in action on Butaritari Island (Makin Atoll) in August of 1942 have been positively identified and will at last be returned to their families.

11/30/00 - Ordering Meat Online? Be Careful
While most holiday food gifts ordered over the Internet this year will arrive in fine condition, some will come with a nasty surprise – a dose of food poisoning. Here are some food safety tips for both senders and receivers of mailed gift foods. From US Government Guide Robert Longley and the USDA.

11/28/00 - Supreme Court to Hear Medical Marijuana Appeal
In the latest round of the medical marijuana battle, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether "medical necessity" is a valid defense for persons accused of violating federal laws against distribution of marijuana.

11/27/00 U.S. - Russia Still Search for POW/MIAs
As adversaries and allies in armed conflicts, the United States and Russia share a common bond, the commitment that no missing soldier will never be abandoned. Together, they still search for evidence of POW/MIAs from four wars. 

11/24/00 - Bush Campaign’s Supreme Court Appeal
The Bush Campaign has filed an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court to the decision of the Florida Supreme Court. What are the legal grounds of the Bush appeal and will the Supreme Court consider it, or any appeals about the Election? Find out here.

11/22/00 - FDA Launches New Web Site
Visitors to the new, improved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site will find critical recall and consumer safety alerts now located right up front where they belong.

11/20/00 - Retired Military Dogs Protected
Military dogs too old to continue their duty may now be adopted, rather than put to death, according to a law signed by President Clinton on Nov 6. Since WWII, military dogs have served as messengers, scouts, sentries and even land mine detectors.

11/18/00 - Thanksgiving Flight? No Thanks
Flying home for Thanksgiving? Better leave now, or it will be turkey neck sandwiches for you, warns Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. DOT reports lets you use 1999 flight delays and urges booking early flights. US Government Guide Robert Longley reports from the tarmac.

11/18/00 - Project 'Dear Abby' 2000 Underway
During Project ‘Abby 2000,’ Americans are invited for the 16th straight year to send cards and letters of holiday cheer to the men and women of the US armed forces around the world. Get the addresses here.

11/17/00 - African American Civil War Sailors Identified
Over the course of the Civil War, 18,000 African American men, and more than a dozen African American women, served in the U.S. Navy. Eight earned the Medal of Honor. At last identified, these heroes are to be honored at the US Naval Memorial. US Government Guide Robert Longley reports.

11/16/00 - The Story of Saint Chad
"... Keep us, we pray Thee, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others," From the "Prayer on the Feast of Saint Chad." Yes, Saint Chad.

11/15/00 - What Good has Come From the Election?
People sitting in a fast food spot on a sunny Friday afternoon are discussing the Constitution. Voting and the process of choosing a President are suddenly hot topics in U.S. classrooms. In many ways, this election has been good for America.

11/14/00 - Electoral College Not the First Choice
When the Founding Fathers took on the question of how to elect new presidents, the Electoral College was not their first idea. See what almost made it into the Constitution and how the Constitution now deals with the office of the President. 

11/13/00 - What if Florida Can’t Vote in Electoral College?
Florida election officials say a hand recount of all Palm Beach votes could take 41 days. This would prevent Florida from being able to cast its critical 25 votes when the Electoral College votes on Dec. 18. What happens then? 

11/13/00 - DOT Reports on Airline Performance
Think it's getting awfully hard to elect a new president in America, these days? Just try getting an on-time flight to New York's LaGuardia Airport! DOT reports on the worst flight delays and how to avoid them in this new report. 

11/09/00 - Electoral College Flunks This Exam
George W. Bush - a popular vote loser in Election 2000 - stands poised to be elected president by the much-maligned Electoral College system. Is this the beginning-of-the-end for a 200 year old constitutional process?

11/08/00 - Federal IT Workers Get Raise
Approximately 33,000 federal computer specialists and information technology (IT) employees will enjoy from 7 percent to 33 percent raises starting in January 2001. U.S. Government Guide Robert Longley brings good news.

11/07/00 - Election 2000 Results
It's far, far from over. Get the numbers and latest political wrangling here.

11/04/00 - GAO to Monitor Disabled Voter Access
The General Accounting Office will monitor approximately 100 polling places on Election Day 2000 to determine the proportion of polling places that provide people with disabilities access to both polling places and polling methods.

11/03/00 - What if the Election IS a Tie?
People ask lots of questions about the U.S. Constitution, most of them starting with, "What if...?" Here's a good one: "What if... the Electoral College vote is a tie?"

11/03/00 - FEC Reports Record Congressional Campaign Spending
Election 2000 candidates for US Congress have spent $683.1 million out of a record $800.7 million raised through Oct. 18, 2000, according to a Federal Election Commission report.

11/01/00 - White House Turns 200
The White House, once referred to by former occupant Harry Truman as a "glamorous prison," celebrates its 200th anniversary on Nov. 1, 2000. Learn some interesting facts about the 132 rooms where the President lives.

10/30/00 - Student Voters Pick Bush
It's Bush -- according to 58.9 percent of the 877,497 US middle and high school students who participated in "OneVote," the largest online vote ever conducted. Students also respond to issues facing America.

10/28/00 - Politicians to Get Their Patron Saint
In 1535, English statesman Thomas More was debating religion with King Henry VIII. The King ended the debate by chopping off More’s head. Next week, the Pope will name More the patron saint of politicians.

10/26/00 - Control of Congress Up for Grabs
A president whose party does not also control Congress is in for a tough time. Just ask Bill Clinton. Find out which party controls Congress now and what the chances are that will change on Election Day.

10/25/00 - Why We Vote When We Vote
Of course, every day is a good day to exercise our freedom, but why do we always vote on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November?

10/23/00 - The Fight to Save the Cole
Despite the deaths of 17 shipmates in last Thursday’s terrorist attack in Yemen, US sailors have been battling to save the destroyer USS Cole. This moving on-the-scene account from a US serviceman will make you proud to be an American.

10/22/00 - Why Keep the Electoral College?
America’s Founding Fathers had valid reasons for taking unlimited power to elect the president out of the people’s hands with the Electoral College. Find out what those reasons were and why they remain just as valid today as they were in 1787.

10/21/00 - Cuban Missile Crisis - Happy Halloween
Thirty-eight years ago this Sunday night -- Oct. 22, 1962 --President John F. Kennedy appeared live on TV and radio to deliver some words that would give America and the rest world, for that matter, the worst Halloween scare before or since. 

10/19/00 - Senate Vote Lowers Cuban Trade Embargo
The U.S. Senate has voted 86-6 to reduce trade sanctions against Cuba. U.S. exporters will be allowed to sell food and medicine to Cuba. But, US banks will not be allowed to finance the sales. Action inches Congress closer to a FY 2001 budget. US Government Guide Robert Longley reports.

10/18/00 - Online Vote to Give US Teens a Voice
Over October 23 and 24, teens across America will get a chance to vote online in a mock presidential election and, in states where there are statewide races, for Governor and U.S. Senator. Organizers predict the largest online vote ever taken.

10/15/00 - Surplus? U.S. Debt Pushes $6 Trillion 
The national debt was $5,662,225,814,331.71 on Oct. 5, 2000. How long would it take to pay it off at a-dollar-a-second? Learn this fascinating fact, as well as the difference between the debt and the deficit, and where this "surplus" came from.

10/11/00 - EDS Wins $9 Billion Navy Computer Contract
The US Navy last week named Electronic Data Systems (EDS) the winner of its five to eight-year computer services contract worth up to $9 billion -- the largest information technology contract ever awarded by the federal government.

10/08/00 - Supreme Court Tosses Confederate Flag Sketch Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a Kansas boy suspended from school for drawing a Confederate flag.

10/05/00 - Debate: Do the Math
Whenever big politics and big money come together in the heat of open debate, some "fuzzy math" often results.

10/04/00 - Bush - Gore Debate: Money
"My tax cut helps more people than your tax cut," and other big-money matters consumed most of the first nationally televised debate between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush. Find out how what they said might affect taxpayers.

10/03/00 - This Debate's for You?
As George W. Bush an Al Gore debate on nationwide TV, some important voices are once again missing – those of the third party candidates. Who cares? They cannot win. Why should we listen to what they have to say? Here’s why

10/02/00 - Cold War: Recognizing the Heroes
Persons who served in the United States military or federal civilian service anytime between 1945 and 1991 are eligible to receive a Cold War Recognition Certificate. Thanks to the men and women who manned the isolated Watchtowers of Freedom.

09/28/00 - Coming Out in Congress - Three Who Have
National Coming Out Day - Oct. 11, 2000 - will have special significance for three Americans who hold the distinction of being openly gay or lesbian and serving as Members of the United States Congress. 

09/27/00 - House Passes Three Emotion-charged Bills
The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 and The Missing Children Tax Fairness Act of 2000 were all passed by the U.S. House on September 26 during a marathon 15-hour session. 

09/26/00 - Can Clinton Save the Tobacco Towns? 
Ensure the economic future of towns currently dependent on the tobacco industry without in any way encouraging the use of tobacco products. President Clinton has ordered the creation of a special commission to study ways to do it. Tough duty. 

09/24/00 - 2002 Olympics to Cost US Taxpayers $1.3 Billion 
As American Olympians mine gold in Australia, American Taxpayers are digging into their own pocketbooks for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. A GAO report puts the price tag a $1.3 billion -- without the official approval of Congress. 

09/21/00 - Census Bureau Declares Victory
Despite objections over privacy and discrimination, the Census Bureau reports that over 67 percent of U.S. citizens had responded to their Census 2000 forms by mail, telephone or the Internet through September 7. 

09/20/00 - Cut Teen Pregnancies - Win a Grant
Can cutting rates of out-of-wedlock births and teen pregnancy reduce welfare costs? Federal awards totaling $300 million to states that do so says it can. Find out more about the government’s efforts to reform the welfare system.

09/19/00 - Senate Approves PNTR for China 83-15
In what some members consider Congress' most important vote since World War II, the U.S. Senate today approved 83-15 a bill granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to the People's Republic of China. 

09/17/00 - Constitution Day – Celebrate it!
On September 17, 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting. Only one item of business occupied the agenda that day, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. From U.S. Government Guide Robert Longley.

09/16/00 - Medicare Card Replacement Via the Web
As part of the agency's growing E-government initiative, the Social Security Administration has made it possible -- even easy -- for Medicare beneficiaries to order a replacement Medicare card over the Internet. 

09/14/00 - FCC on RATS, Rats, rats
Two Democratic Senators have requested that the FCC investigate the Republican Party's "RATS" presidential campaign ad. Find out more about sub-conscious, or “subliminal” advertising and where the FCC and other agencies stand on it.

09/14/00 - Jobs in the US Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives has just added a job vacancy-listing page to its Web site. What kind of jobs can you get in the U.S. Congress? How much do they pay? How do you apply? Find out here.

09/12/00 - Firestone, Ford, DOT and the Law
As congressional hearings into the tire recall continue, this much we know; somebody failed American consumers -- fatally. Exactly what laws might have been violated, and what could the penalties for those violations be? 

09/10/00 - Judge - Doctors Can Prescribe Marijuana
A California federal judge has issued an injunction barring the federal government from investigating or prosecuting doctors who recommend or prescribe marijuana for valid medicinal purposes.

09/09/00 - New Email Scam – Free Grants Service
An e-mail ad promising to check your qualifications for “FREE Grant Money” in return for a fee is not only deceptive, it seeks you credit card or bank account information over non-secured Web sites. What to watch for and how to protect yourself.

09/07/00 - Supreme Court to Test ADA
The Supreme Court is set to hear a case questioning the constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The decision could have a profound impact on the civil rights of disabled individuals. Read about criticism and defense of the ADA. 

09/05/00 - Congress Fit to be 'Tired'
"What did Firestone and Ford know, and when did they know it?" With the budget, gun control, tax cuts and free trade with China still on their agenda, now Congress has to investigate the Firestone/Ford tire recalls.

09/02/00 - Labor Day 2000
Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman tells America we are living in a “Tiger Woods” economy, which saw 22 million new jobs created over the last 8 years. Read Secretary Herman’s entire Labor Day address and learn the history of the day.

08/30/00 - Supreme Court Bans Medical Marijuana in California
Responding to an emergency request from the Clinton Administration, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday voted 7-1 to bar the distribution of marijuana for medicinal purposes in California.

08/29/00 - Clinton Addresses U.S. Teacher Shortage
As an all-time record 53 million students streamed back into America's schools this week, thousands of school districts also face their worst-ever teacher shortages. President Clinton outlines his Administration's efforts to address the shortage.

08/28/00 - Abraham Lincoln a Racist?
In his latest book, black American author, Lerone Bennett, presents evidence supporting the theory that Abraham Lincoln was, in fact, racist harboring a life-long desire to see all black Americans deported to Africa. Radical concept, but is it fair?

08/25/00 - Supreme Court Set to Test Sexual Predator Law
Can state laws extend the confinement of convicted “sexual predators” beyond their release dates for “treatment,” or does this represent double jeopardy under the 5th Amendment? On Oct. 31, the Supreme Court will be asked to decide. 

08/22/00 - DOT to Airlines: What's the Delay?
Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater is tired of commercial air flight delays and cancellations. On Aug. 21, he met with airline executives to figure how to fix the situation. Other than agreeing to agree, what came out of the 2-hour summit?

08/21/00 Notch Babies - Can Congress Help Them?
We are all familiar with the Baby Boomers’ Social Security fears -- will it be there when the need it? Well, the Notch Babies need it now, and it’s not there for them. Not all of it anyway. Can Congress help the Notch Babies? 

08/17/00 - US Navy's Sub Rescue Team
As hopes fade for the rescue of the 118 sailors trapped aboard the sunken Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, you might wonder what sort of systems the United States has of rescuing sailors trapped on submarines of our Navy.

08/16/00 - Broken Arrows to Faded Giants
The Russian government says the nuclear submarine Kursk carried no atomic weapons. Yet, her reactor and radioactive fuel remain at the bottom of the sea. Learn how the US Department of Defense informs the public of similar nuclear accidents.

08/14/00 - Supreme Court - A Brief History
"The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court,” is all the Constitution says about the Supreme Court. So, how did they get to where are today? Learn a little about the past and the present of the Supreme Court.

08/10/00 - US Congress – Long Road, Short Time
When Congress returns on Sept 5, the President wants them to take care of -- The 2001 Budget, Gun Control, China Free Trade, Minimum Wage, Prescription Drug Benefits, HMO Patient’s Rights, and more -- all in about 20 days – in an election year

08/08/00 - Missing pension search 
According to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, nearly 10,000 Americans are owed over $19 million in uncollected pension plan benefits. To help reunite those people with their missing money, the PGBC operates the Pension Search Web site. 

08/08/00 - Helping Small Business Employees Save 
Employees of small businesses, women and low wage earners will get help in planning and saving for retirement under several new U.S. government initiatives recently announced by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman.

08/08/00 - Historic Confederate Sub Hunley Raised 
The wreck of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley has been recovered intact under the direction of a National Parks Service team. The Hunley became the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship during battle 136 years ago. 

08/07/00 - Grants to train Americans for tech jobs 
$80 million in grants will be available this year to train Americans for high-tech jobs. The grants are partially funded by fees received through the controversial H1-B visa program that allows companies to hire temporary foreign workers.

08/04/00 - Good Old Fashioned Conventions
Major political party presidential conventions have become about as exciting as watching the Electoral College vote. It wasn't always like this. Take the 1860, for example, when the Democrats needed two conventions and nominated two candidates.

08/02/00 - Ten Commandments - Kentucky Loses Again
For the second time since 1980, the U.S. federal court system has issued a "separation of church and state" decision preventing the state of Kentucky from commemorating the Ten Commandments.

07/31/00 - US Had to Pass Innocent Child Act
Passage of a bill outlawing execution of pregnant women may have seemed like a silly, politically-driven, election year move by the US House, but the United States was required by treaty to enact such a law. 

07/31/00 - Clinton Won't Stop Gun Buyback Program
President Clinton will direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to continue operating its gun buyback program despite being ordered by a House appropriation subcommittee to stop it.

07/31/00 - Texas - Oklahoma Finally Draw the Line
The governor of Oklahoma once rolled up to the Red River in an Army tank to protect his state’s rights in a hot border dispute with the state of Texas.  After 200 years, the U.S. Congress may soon settle this riverbank ruckus.

07/27/00 - Child gun deaths continue to decline
A report from the CDC shows the number of children per day killed by gunfire has dropped from 16 to 10 since 1994. Crediting laws like the Brady Act and tougher enforcement as the reason, President Clinton pushes for passage of even more gun laws. 

07/25/00 - Astronauts Wanted - Travel Required
See the world – lots of them. Do you have the “right stuff” to apply for one of the most exciting jobs in government? Thousands apply, but NASA picks only about 20 people every-other-year to be astronaut candidates. 

07/23/00 - E-sign - Be Careful What You Ask For
When the President used a magnetic card to sign Digital E-signatures Act, he also used an ink pen to sign a paper copy. Whether he did so to "make it official," or "just in case," use of the pen signaled thorny E-questions. 

07/21/00 - Popular Government Toll Free Numbers
A handy index to hundreds of the most popular 1-800, toll-free customer service telephone numbers at U.S. Government agencies.

07/19/00 - Job Openings in State Government
One of the hardest parts of finding state government jobs is... well, finding them. State Web sites can be painfully hard to navigate. Well, finding state government job listings just got a whole lot easier.

07/18/00 - House Passes E-mail ‘Spam’ Control Bill 
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill designed to help Internet users prevent receipt of unsolicited commercial or sexually-oriented e-mail messages, typically referred to as "Spam." Read the details of this proposed law.

07/18/00 - Internet Gambling Ban Now in Congress 
Three bills now before Congress would effectively ban the more than 700 online casinos now taking in over $1 billion in bets annually via their Web sites. Read about the specifics of these bills and find out who supports them. 

07/16/00 - A Day in the Supreme Court
"God save the United States and this Honorable Court,” chants the Marshal as the U.S. Supreme Court enters the courtroom to hear arguments and decide over 150 major cases every term. Read about the processes and traditions of the Supreme Court.

07/14/00 - President will veto death tax repeal 
Congress today sent President Clinton a bill phasing out the estate, or "death" tax and gift tax. The President is opposed to repealing the estate and gift taxes and is expected to veto the bill. Read the President’s official statement on the bill. 

07/13/00 - Carnivore No Threat to Privacy FBI Says 
"Carnivore" is a new FBI system -- software installed on a dedicated PC -- that scans all incoming and outgoing e-mail for messages associated with a criminal investigation. According to the FBI, Carnivore is no threat to personal privacy. 

07/13/00 - Pick a Park, Any Park
The National Parks Service enters the E-government arena with a pair of Web sites designed to help vacationers find exactly the right park or parks to visit. Pick your desired activities and interests and - bingo – they pick your parks for you.

07/11/00 - FTC Cooling-Off Rule Protects You
The FTC’s Cooling-Off Period Rule gives you the right to cancel for a full refund many purchases made at locations like flea markets, fairs, traveling shows and conventions. Find out the details in this important consumer protection law.

07/09/00 - Web Sites From Mars by 2009?
By 2009, we could be viewing Web pages served up from computers on Mars via NASA's Mars Network, NASA’s first step toward “a virtual presence throughout the solar system.” Are day trading from Jupiter or buying Pluto rocks on E-bay be next? 

07/08/00 - Kill vehicle misses again
The Ballistic Missile Defense System's "kill vehicle" didn't, kill that is, for the second time in two straight $100 million tests. Read the fascinating official Defense Department details on how the kill vehicle should work. 

07/07/00 - You mean that's NOT classified?
How might the U.S. military employ artificial intelligence technology in battle? That’s Classified, Top-Secret information, right? No. You can find this and more seemingly sensitive technical information on this Defense Department Web site. 

07/05/00 - Mission Control comes to your PC 
Space fans can now view real-time displays of the exact orbital positions of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and many other satellites on NASA’s J-Track -- Liftoff 2.5 Web site. It’s like having Mission Control right on your PC. 

07/02/00 - SC Lowers Rebel flag, but battle goes on 
At midday on Saturday, July 1, 2000, as protestors both for and against the action looked on, the Confederate Battle Flag was lowered from the flagpole atop the South Carolina State Capitol dome in Columbia. Read some of your opinions on this issue. 

07/01/00 - Public Schools Don't Have a Prayer
American public school students can still -- under certain specific conditions -- pray at school, but the opportunities to do so are dwindling fast. Find out how and why our schools went from a prayer-a-day to no prayers at all since 1962.

06/30/00 - Clinton E-signs digital signature law 
A very famous quill pen was used in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 to sign the Declaration of Independence. Today, almost 224 years later, President Clinton used a specially encoded "smart" card to sign into law a bill making electronic signatures as valid as those signed by hand in ink.

06/28/00 - Supreme Court Strikes Anti-abortion Law
The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a 5-4 ruling striking down as unconstitutional a state law prohibiting the procedure referred to as a "partial birth abortion" in the state of Nebraska. 

06/28/00 - House Backs Religious Ohio Motto
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a resolution urging the Supreme Court to reverse an Appeals Court decision and rule the Ohio state motto -- "With God All Things Are Possible" -- to be constitutional.

06/27/00 - Cuban Embargo Could be Lowered
Republican Members of the U.S. House will attempt to pass, as an amendment to another bill, legislation that would lower the 40-year old U.S. embargo on sales of food and medicine to Cuba.

06/26/00 - Miranda Rights Upheld by Supreme Court
In perhaps its most important criminal law case of the decade, the U.S. Supreme Court today issued a decisive 7-2 decision upholding its legendary Miranda ruling of 34 years ago.

06/25/00 - Do You Trust the Government?
In 1994, the University of Michigan conducted a poll asking people, "Do you trust the government to do the right things most of the time?" Sadly, only 21 percent answered "Yes."  Have “Government Reinvention” efforts helped increase public trust?

06/23/00 - Federal Tea-taster sips no more 
The official office of Federal Tea-taster, created in 1897, still existed in 1995. When the Clinton Administration finally pulled the plug on the office in 1996, the Federal Tea-taster was costing taxpayers $120,000 a year. 

06/22/00 - Bad Air Day? Ask the EPA
A new E-government Web site from the EPA provides current reports of ozone air pollution levels in your area. The system is part of a larger initiative to make all pollution information available online.

06/19/00 - Supreme Court - No Football Prayers
Finding that the practice violates the constitutionally required separation of church and state in the 1st Amendment, the Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that public school districts may not allow students to lead prayers at high school football games.

06/19/00 - Digital Signatures - Not so Fast
After President Clinton signs the Digital Signatures Act, unanimously passed by the Senate last Friday, what will you be able to do that you can't do now? Nothing -- until the little problem of digital forgery is worked out. 

06/18/00 - Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
Sources of government and private help with the enormous financial burdens of cancer treatment.

06/15/00 - Opinion: Government Computer Insecurity
Why don't we know the all the facts about events like Roswell or the Kennedy assassination? Because, back then, the U.S. government did not yet have PCs on which to store secrets for later theft or "misplacement."

06/14/00 - Second Amendment Gets its Day in Court
One day, a doctor legally owns a gun. Next day, his wife gets a routine temporary restraining order against him, and "presto" the doctor turns into a federal felon. Will the case of U.S. v. Emerson be the defining moment for the Second Amendment?

06/12/00 - HMOs Win Big in Supreme Court
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that patients cannot sue their HMO under federal law when the HMO's cost-cutting practices result in improper medical treatment. Links to the text of the case and the Court’s complete ruling. 

06/11/00 - Government Aid & Money – No Grant Needed
Where to find help with: Small Business Needs, Healthcare, Work or Career, Home Improvements, Hunger and Child Care or Family Needs. In most cases, you do not need a grant to get assistance from a government program.

06/09/00 - Status of FY 2001 Spending Bills
Congress is now deciding how to spend about $600 billion of the over $1.7 trillion federal budget for 2001. The annual “Appropriations” bills of the federal budget process are now being considered. Learn about and track these important bills.

06/07/00 - Judge to Microsoft - Break it Up!
District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson has today issued his final judgment in the Microsoft antitrust case. In a surprise to nobody, Judge Jackson has ordered that software behemoth Microsoft be split into two separate functional units.

06/07/00 - Helping the Disabled Find Jobs
The Social Security Administration launches a new Web site with important information and support for disability beneficiaries, employers, service providers, advocates and others whose goal is to help the disabled find and keep jobs

06/05/00 - Supreme Court Rules Against Grandparents
Dealing a major blow to grandparents’ rights, the U.S. Supreme Court today issued a 6-3 ruling striking down as unconstitutional a Washington state law under which courts could force parents to allow grandparents to visit their children. 

06/05/00 - Some Tritium with Your Sunflower Seeds?
In October 1997, three New Jersey teenagers ate some sunflower seeds mixed with radioactive liquid tritium. Fortunately, help came quickly from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Brookhaven National Labs.

06/04/00 - US - Russia Agree to Destroy Plutonium
Meeting in Moscow, President Clinton and Russian President Putin have agreed that both nations should destroy their stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium and work together on missile warning systems.

06/04/00 - Federal Grants - No Free Lunch
Resources for finding and getting government grants. But, beware -- a government grant is no Christmas present. The government is not giving away "free" grant money. Find out about the federal grant process.

06/01/00 - Buy T-bills and Bonds Online
The Bureau of the Public Debt combines E-government and E-commerce to allow Internet investors from individual to banks buy and manage T-bills and bonds online.

05/31/00 - Get Airport Delay Reports from the FAA
Internet users can get near-real-time status information for 40 major U.S. airports. The FAA hopes to increase coverage to 100 airports in the future.

05/29/00 - ATF Hits Mongols - 70 Guns Taken
The May 18 arrest of 29 Mongol motorcycle gang members by ATF agents and LA County deputies resulted in seizure of over 70 illegal guns including machine guns, ten pounds of narcotics, 21 stolen motorcycles, and in excess of $27,000 in cash.

05/26/00 - The Six 'Constitutional' Commandments
The Supreme Court would throw out a law allowing schools to post the Ten Commandments. But, the last six Commandments are clearly constitutionally clean by Court standards. What did the Founding Fathers say about religion and government?

05/25/00 - File IRS Complaints Online
Americans can now file complaints against employees of the Internal Revenue Service via the Internet as a service of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Web site.

05/24/00 - House Passes China Free Trade Bill
After a rare non-partisan debate, the House by a vote of 237-197 today approved a bill authorizing the United States' to extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status to the People's Republic of China. 

05/23/00 - Supreme Court to Rule on Air Pollution Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on 5/22/2000 that it would rule on the constitutionality of the national air pollution standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Clean Air Act.

05/22/00 - US & China - Warmer All the Time
As Congress prepares for a historic vote that could open up trade, HUD has inked an agreement of its own with the People's Republic of China.

05/21/00 - Register for the Draft - It's the Law
Under the law, virtually all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Those who don't face possible stiff penalties.

05/18/00 - Postal Service Offers Certified Email
The U.S. Postal service offers customers the ability to send "certified" e-mail. Register now for a 30-day free trial of this new service.

05/17/00 - Senate Takes Non-Binding Gun Votes
The bill being considered was about spending for military construction, but the two votes taken in the U.S. Senate today were about gun control.

05/17/00 - Gun Control Locks Up Senate
All lawmaking in the U.S. Senate comes to a grinding halt as a surprise battle over long-pending gun control legislation flares up.

05/16/00 - House Bans Internet Access Fees
The House of Representatives approves a bill blocking fees for accessing the Internet and ending forever the infamous myth of bill 602P and Congressman Tony Schnell.

05/16/00 - House Passes Military Construction Bill
The House passes a bill allocating approximately $8.6 billion for new construction and renovation to military facilities and family housing.

05/15/00 - Buy a HUD House and Save
Every month, over 500,000 Internet users visit the "Homes for Sale" page of HUD’s Web site where they find daily-updated selections of thousands of highly affordable homes and apartments sold at auction by HUD plus nine other government agencies.

05/14/00 - The Minute Man Begs, "Beam Me Up!"
"Furby Cited as Threat to U.S. Security" - is just one of the topics in this selection of "one-minute" speeches to the House by U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr. (D-Ohio). 

05/13/00 - The Perfect Gift for a Million Moms
The "experts" says the Million Moms march will not move Congress to pass new gun control laws. It won’t, but that’s not all the moms are marching for.

05/12/00 - Energy to Help Rebuild Los Alamos
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson was quoted on May 11, 2000 as stating that his department would help rebuild the wildfire ravaged town of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

05/11/00 - Los Alamos: After the Fire
Long after the flames have died, the nuclear waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory will remain. But, for how long? Details on DOE plans to clean up Los Alamos.

05/10/00 - House Extends Internet Tax Freeze
The House passes a bill to extend the current 3-year moratorium on Internet taxes for another five years.

05/09/00 - File Internet Fraud Complaints Online
Using the Justice Department's secured IFCC Web site, consumers can now file complaints of Internet fraud online.

05/08/00 - Get a Horse! And Make it a Wild One
Since 1973, Americans have adopted over 169,000 wild horses and burros through the BLM. Read how to view and even place bids to adopt wild horses and burros online or in person. Also, read about the first-ever Satellite TV wild horse adoption.

05/07/00 - Nuclear Weapons: Pay Up to Cleanup
The U.S. spends about $96 million a day on nuclear weapons. The DOE estimates that from $151 billion to $195 billion will be needed through 2070 for cleanup and closure of nuclear weapons facilities.

05/07/00 - Nuclear Spring
Total number of U.S. nuclear bombs lost in accidents and never recovered: 11 -- This an more nuclear remembrances.

05/04/00 - FDA Will Only Monitor ‘Frankenfoods’
Consumer and environmental safety advocates are far from satisfied with the Clinton Administration’s first steps toward regulating genetically-altered foods.

05/04/00 - Senate Debates Public School Funding
The time has come for Congress to update and renew the law setting federal spending for public education, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) last updated in 1965.

05/03/00 - Senate Fails to Override Nuclear Waste Act Veto
The U.S. Senate yesterday failed by a vote of 64 - 35 to override President Clinton's April 25 veto of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2000 - S. 1287.

05/02/00 - Clinton Plans to Protect Consumer Financial Data
President Clinton on April 30, 2000, announced new proposed legislation designed to protect the financial privacy of American consumers.

05/01/20 - Prison Cities Cash in on Census 2000
The U.S. Census Bureau counts all prison inmates as residents of the city in which their prison is located. The result is a financial windfall from the census.

4/27/00 - What does a census taker do?
Census takers hit the streets of America today for follow-up visits to addresses that did not return a mail-in Census 2000 forms. Does going out to get answers to those “personal” census questions in person sound like a fun job?

04/27/00 - U.S. Will Call Child Gun Victims in Court Battle
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo is reported as stating that the Clinton Administration intends to call child survivors of gun violence as witnesses in a looming court battle against gun makers.

04/26/00 - Gun Makers Return Legal Fire
Seven gun makers file suit against U.S. Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, the state attorneys general of New York and Connecticut,  and officials of 14 cities.

04/26/00 - INS Denies Citizenship to Disabled Person
An Anaheim, CA woman has been denied citizenship because she suffers from severe physical disabilities which prevent her from reciting the required oath of allegiance.

04/24/00 - Editorial: Let's Just Let Elian Go Home
Must we find some villains in his story before we can let Elian go home with his father?

04/24/00 - National Parks Pass a Money Saver
For $50.00 you can buy a personalized National Parks Pass card that will cover your "per vehicle" or "per person" entrance fee at 379 national parks, wilderness areas, historic sites and monuments from Acadia to Zion.

04/23/00 - Federalism: Who's Power is This Anyway?
Federalism is the division of powers between the U.S. and state governments. While the dividing line is drawn by the Constitution, it often requires some "touch-up" work by the Supreme Court.   

04/20/00 -- Area 51: The Pictures are Out There
When new satellite images of Area 51 were posted on the Internet Monday, the demand was so high, that the pictures could not be accessed. The pictures are now loading. Take a look. Is the truth finally out there?

04/18/00 - New Bill Would Benefit Retired and Disabled Vets
The bill would correct a long standing inequity for veterans who have retired from the Armed Forces with a service-connected disability.

04/17/00 - FDA 'Mad Cow' Rule Could Reduce Blood Supply
The new FDA rule requires U.S. blood banks to turn away donors who have spent a cumulative total of six months or more in the United Kingdom. 

04/16/00 - Why Third Parties?
Their presidential candidates stand little chance of being elected, but America's third political parties have historically promoted concepts and policies that have succeeded in becoming incorporated as important parts of our social and political lives. 

04/14/00 - Congress Passes Budget Resolution
First, Congress did not approve the Fiscal Year 2001 federal budget yesterday. What they did approve was a proposed record $1.8 trillion dollar Budget Resolution - a "blueprint" for the final budget.

04/13/00 - If Elian Goes Home
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered Miami relatives of Elian Gonzales to hand the boy over to his father who wants to take him back to Cuba. Assuming comes to pass and Elian is returned to Cuba, under what kind of government will he be growing up?

04/12/00 - Maryland Gun Control Law Details
President Clinton offered high praise for a new Maryland handgun control law signed yesterday. Here are details on the major provisions of The Maryland Gun Safety Act of 2000.

04/12/00 - Why Clinton Could Pardon Himself
Learn about the constitutional basis under which President Clinton could pardon himself from the future indictments suggested by Independent counsel Robert Ray.

04/12/00 - Census Director Defends Long Form
Census Bureau Director Kenneth W. Prewitt defends the Census 2000 "long form" in testimony before the House Subcommittee on the Census. 

04/10/00 - House Votes U.S. G.I.s the Person of the Century
The House today unanimously approved a resolution declaring the "Person of the Century" for the 20th century to have been the American G.I. 

04/09/00 - Cold War: Costs of Victory
The Berlin Wall and communism fell, but now the U.S. is spending $475.5 million to help the former Soviet Union dismantle and store its excess nuclear weapons.

04/05/00 - Costs of Government: Capitol Buildings
From the FY 2000 Federal Budget, funds allocated for repairs, improvements, and maintenance to the White House, Capitol Building and Capitol grounds.

04/03/00 - Microsoft is Guilty Says Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson today issued a "Conclusions of Law and Final Order " declaring Microsoft had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act to "monopolize the web browser market.''

04/02/00 - Constitutional Questions
Instead of arguing about what it means, let's look at some interesting facts about the creation and function of the United States Constitution.

04/02/00 - It's About Time: Daylight Saving That Is
Why do we do this to ourselves twice a year? And, what time is it, anyway? Find out the answers to these and many more fascinating questions about time from the new Time.gov Web site.

03/28/00 - Senate Debates Flag Burning Alternative
Rather than amend the Constitution, Senators consider a proposal for a flag protection law setting penalties for specific acts of flag desecration.

03/26/00 - Troops to Teachers 
We have a teacher shortage in America. Military downsizing has left lots of former military personnel unemployed. Idea: Let's turn troops into teachers!

03/24/00 - Anti-Flag Burning Amendment to be Debated in Senate
The proposed amendment would grant Congress the authority to enact laws banning any intentional act desecrating of the flag, but would not, in itself, ban such activities.

03/19/00 - Gun Control Laws: Where Does Congress Get the Right?
The gun lobby fights gun control laws in Congress, but never in the Supreme Court. One landmark case from 1939 is the reason.

03/17/00 - Church and State: How the Court Decides  
The Court applies these three "tests" to religious practices when deciding their constitutionality under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. 

03/12/00 - Salaries and Benefits of U.S. Congress Members
Presidential Pay and Compensation tells how much the president makes. But what about the 535 men and women who make our laws?

03/05/00 - Gun Control Laws in Canada
In Canada, all gun owners must be licensed and all guns registered. Canadian statistics indicate their laws work. Is this a glimpse into the future of U.S. gun control?

03/03/00 - House Passes Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act
This major bill eliminates the Social Security "earnings test" which currently limits the amount of outside income retirees can make without suffering a reduction in Social Security benefits.

03/01/00 - New '10-10' Phone Ad Rules Issued
The FTC and FCC issue a joint policy intended to protect consumers from confusing and deceptive advertising techniques used by "10-10" long distance plans.

02/29/00 - Internet Sales Tax: Clinton, Governors Talk
President Clinton and the U.S. Governors held a face-to-face chat about the Internet yesterday in Washington. The topic of the day was whether states should collect taxes on Internet sales.

02/27/00 - World War II Memorial
American veterans, the citizens on the home front, and the nation at large will at last have a memorial to World War II "the defining event of the 20th century in American history," if enough money can be raised.

02/25/00 - U.S. Halts Gun Sales to Canada
The New York Times is reporting today that President Clinton has ordered the suspension of all export of rifles, handguns, and ammunition to Canada.

02/25/00 - U.S. Gets Ready for Leap Day Computer Problems
Just when you thought the world was safe from Y2K, along comes leap year 2K. See how the U.S. along with other countries are preparing for Feb. 29.

02/24/00 - Clinton Proposed Plan to Help Poor Get Jobs
A change to regulations in the food-stamp program would make it easier for low-income families to own cars, thus having transportation to work.

02/22/00 - Michigan Republican Primary
An open primary in Michigan awards the winner all 58 convention delegates. Get the story and results here.

02/22/00 - Supreme Court Will Not Hear Electric Chair Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear an Alabama death-row inmate's appeal that use of the electric chair in executions represents unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.

02/20/00 - The Electoral College System
It is possible for a presidential candidate to lose the nationwide popular vote, but still be elected. Learn how the Electoral College system works and why the Founding Fathers created it.

02/19/00 - South Carolina Republican Primary
George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain square off for South Carolina's 37 GOP convention d

02/18/00 - FTC Questions Privacy on Health Care Web Sites
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating allegations that health care-related Web sites may have collected and shared personal information about consumers with other companies without permission or warning.

02/17/00 - Military Anthrax Vaccine - Yes or No?
A Republican House subcommittee report recommends the U.S. Military make its anthrax vaccination program voluntary. The Pentagon says it will not. The battle lines are drawn.

02/17/00 - Super Tuesday Primary Elections
The 2000 presidential nominations may be decided on March 7 and March 14 as 18 states hold Democratic and Republican primary elections. Learn more and get results here.

02/15/00 - Clinton Proposes National Cyber Security Center
Asking for $9 million to get the center going, President Clinton proposes a combined Internet and E-commerce effort to defeat Web site hackers.

02/13/00 - Taxes 1999 - 2000
Where to get help with your taxes and what's new this year. Also, tax reform and tax-related bills before Congress and where the presidential candidates stand on taxes. (Need state tax forms?)

02/13/00 - Honoring Charles M. Schulz
The creator of "Peanuts" died at age 77 on 2/12/2000. This bill in Congress honors Schulz and the worldwide popularity of "Peanuts".

02/11/00 - Internet Privacy Bill Would Control Use of 'Cookies'
A bill by Senator Robert Torricelli (D - New Jersey) would prevent Internet advertisers from using cookie files for collecting information about Web users. Also, find out what an Internet "cookie" is.

02/10/00 - On the Edge of the 'Genetic Divide'
Forget the Digital Divide. Is genetic research creating a societal gap not even money can close? Also see... Genetic Discrimination Banned

02/09/00 - Hackers - The FBI is After You
Considering the Administration's push to close the digital divide and promote e-commerce, recent Web attacks are not taken lightly. Attorney General Reno sends the FBI after Web hackers.

02/08/00 - Executive Order Bans Genetic Discrimination
Citing the threat of technological advances "to erode our sacred walls of privacy," President Clinton issued an Executive Order banning the consideration of genetic information in federal hiring practices.

02/07/00 - President Proposes Record Spending In 2001 Budget
President Clinton's FY 2001 federal budget proposal goes to Congress featuring record spending from record surpluses.

02/06/00 - Black History Month in US Government
"Heritage and Horizons: The African American Legacy and the Challenges of the 21st Century" Learn who started Black History Month and see how it is observed on the Internet.

02/04/00 - Targeting 'Bad Apple' Gun Dealers
Based on an ATF report that 1 percent of gun dealers sell 57 percent of guns used in crimes, President Clinton and ATF propose new and stepped up firearms regulations.

02/04/00 - Clinton - Raise Cigarette Tax / Impose Fines
President Clinton proposes a 25-cents per pack increase in the federal cigarette tax and a plan to fine tobacco companies that fail to take steps to control smoking by under-age Americans.

02/03/00 - Spending to Bridge the 'Digital Divide'
President Clinton's Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Proposal to Congress includes a multi-billion dollar spending plan designed to extend Internet access to poor Americans and minorities.

02/02/00 - Groom Lake Remains Exempt from Waste Reporting
President Clinton has again issued an exemption to the Air Force from reporting hazardous waste events at Groom Lake (Area 51) in Nevada.

01/31/00 - From the Files of the FBI
Thousands of pages of information on famous people, crimes, and unusual phenomenon can be downloaded from the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act. Here you'll find just a few and learn how to get more.

01/27/00 - The State of the Union Address
In his eight and final State of the Union Address, President Clinton proposes several new regulations and spending programs.

01/23/00 - Miranda: Rights of Silence
How we gained the "...right to remain silent." Read about the historic Supreme Court decision in the darkly ironic case of Ernesto Miranda.

01/22/00 - How to Order the Watergate Tapes
For the first time since 1974, the public can order transcription copies of the Nixon Oval Office conversations that came to be know as "The Watergate Tapes." Find out where and how to order.

01/18/00 - South Carolina & Confederate Flag Facts
It is at least interesting to note that South Carolina's official flag contains no elements of the Confederate Flag while the official flags of four other states do. 

01/16/00 - Presidential Pay and Compensation
Learn about the salary and benefits paid to the President. Includes a Presidential pay raise history and comparison of the President's pay to that of other US politicians.

01/14/00 - Election 2000: Protecting the Candidates
Starting 120 days before the election, the US Secret Service protects the major Presidential candidates. How do they decide who's "major" enough to get this service, and what kind of protection is provided?

01/11/00 - Health Insurance for Uninsured Children
The White House estimates as many as 11 million American children are not protected by health care insurance. What is the government doing to correct this?

01/02/00 - Brady Act Background Checks: The First Seven Months
Usually in under 2 minutes, a gun dealer can check a buyer for a criminal history as required by the Brady Act. What are the potential results and how well has the system been working?

12/25/99 - Y2K Terrorism: Personal Security Recommendations
By December 20, threats of Y2K-related terrorism started to threaten Americans at home and abroad. This story is a compilation of government-issued alerts and safety measures.

12/18/99 - Online Voting: Has its Time Finally Come?
Amid fears of fraud and lack a privacy, two states prepare to use official online voting for the first time in their 2000 presidential primaries.

12/12/99 - The Privacy Act: Find Out What the Government Knows About You
Yes, the government collects information about all of us. But, we have the right to see most of it and correct it if it's wrong. Here's how to do it.

12/05/99 - The Freedom of Information Act: How to Request Information
This 1966 Act changed our access to government information from a "need to know" to "right to know" situation. Find out how to request government information here.

11/28/99 - Election 2000: House, Senate, Governors Races
A look at the current balance of power in the House, Senate and State Governors seats, plus a look at contested races. See who's running for what and where.

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