Treasury Steps to implement Dodd Frank

are outlined here http://www.advisorone.com/article/deputy-secretary-wolin-outlines-treasurys-steps-implementing-dodd-frank

Public sector corruption

studied in this Transparency International 2010 survey.  The surveys look at different aspects of corruption each year - this year it's looking at public sector.  A link within the article will take you to the Transparency International site.  The article itself is from the Economist.http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2010/10/corruption_perceptions

small business opportunities

in government - from the business.gov newsletter http://community2.business.gov/t5/The-Industry-Word/Top-5-Small-Business-Opportunities-in-Government-for-2011/ba-p/40750?cm_mmc=GovDelivery-_-102710-_-weekly-_-community

An archived yellow book webinar update

included a powerpoint and handout.  http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/GovernmentalAuditQuality/Resources/Pages/WhatYouNeedtoKnowAboutthe2010YBED%E2%80%93MemberWebEvent.aspx

Giving USA Foundation had a somewhat lower % decline

reported than The Philanthropy Report, but Giving USA includes private foundations and smaller charitieshttp://www.aafrc.org/press_releases/gusa/gusa060910.pdf

Donations drop 11% for nonprofits

at least for the biggest charities, according to this report from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.http://philanthropy.com/article/A-Sharp-Donation-Drop-at-Big/125004/

High government debt

needs to be defused.  See this Wall Street Journal article.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304741404575564133687036768.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_t

City and state pensions are in trouble

according to a study done at Northwestern http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/801-economy/123905-new-study-shows-the-dire-state-of-pensions

An overview of the Form 990 EZ

This 19 slide audio material is available from the IRS.  Users will probably want to have hard copy of the form and schedules available for viewing as they listen to this audio course  http://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/Mini-Courses/An_Overview_of_the_Form_990-EZ/an_overview_of_the_form_990-ez.aspx

IRS mini course in

Applying for tax exempt status http://www.stayexempt.org/Mini-Courses/Applying_for_Tax_Exempt-An_Overview/applying-for-tax-exempt-organizations.aspx

A survey ranking of the 50 States

all 50 are out here ranked by various criteria, including debt per capita, unemployment, median household income, fiscal governance, and other factors.   There are a couple surprises out there.  http://247wallst.com/2010/10/04/the-best-and-worst-run-states-in-america-a-survey-of-all-fifty/

Bond sales hit the highest in ten months

States and local governments are ready to issue about $13 billion in municipal bonds this week, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The glut of supply is forcing issuers to raise yields to attract buyers.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-05/muni-bond-sales-reach-10-month-high-as-new-york-state-borrows-1-4-billion.html

Should GASB help the public

see the truth about pension obligations?   This author thinks so.  http://accounting.smartpros.com/x70540.xml