Much attention has recently been focused on the chemical ethylene dibromide (EDB). This chemical has been widely used in leaded gasoline, and has also been used to treat grains, citrus, and other crops. It has been found in foods and in groundwater. This paper examines the possible health effects of exposure to EDB, as well as its regulation. The possible health effects and regulation of various chemical and physical alternatives to EDB are also examined. This paper concludes with some policy considerations pertinent to EDB.,Abstract -- Introduction -- Chemical and Physical Properties of EDB -- Use -- History of Research and Regulation -- Health Effects of EDB. Acute Effects ; Long-Term Effects -- Human Exposure to EDB. Occupational ; Nonoccupational ; Drinking Water ; Leaded Gasoline ; Food -- Alternatives to EDB -- Policy Questions.,Michael M. Simpson, Analyst in Life Sciences, Science Policy Research Division.,CRS 84-622 SPR,"May 3, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This report provides estimates, based on disaggregate data, of the distributional effects of the Administration tax reform proposal announced in May 1985. This report is a supplement to CRS report no. 85-159 E.,Donald W. Kiefer, Specialist in Public Finance, Economics Division.,A supplement to CRS Report No. 85-159 E, Distributional Effects of the Treasury and Administration Tax Reform Proposals, August 9, 1985.,CRS 85-992 E,"October 9, 1985.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

An important business tax provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 is the new tax depreciation rules for business assets. The effect of the Tax Reform Act's changes was to slow down the rate at which the cost of most assets can be depreciated. Depreciation deductions are thus less valuable to businesses than under prior law. The Act's depreciation changes, along with its repeal of the investment tax credit, also increased the tax burden on depreciable assets compared to other types of investments. While the primary purpose of this report is to describe the changes in depreciation rules and their effects, the report also contains basic information on the rationale for depreciation deductions and how the deductions are calculated.,Depreciation in General -- Depreciation Under Prior Law -- Depreciation Under the Tax Reform Act -- Effect of the Tax Reform Act and the Tax Burden on Depreciable Assets -- Appendix. Depreciation Methods ; The Half-Year Convention and Recovery Periods ; Sample Depreciation Calculations Under Prior Law ; Sample Depreciation Calculations under the Tax Reform Act of 1986.,David L. Brumbaugh, Analyst in Public Finance, Econmics Division.,CRS 87-342 E,"April 16, 1987.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This Editorial Commentary includes editorials on child sexual abuse at day care centers selected from 100 newspapers monitored by the Congressional Research Service. The Commentary is divided into two sections. The first focuses comments on instances of child sexual abuse and is arranged chronologically. The second looks at suggestions, particularly administrative and legislative recommendations, for dealing with the specific problem of abuse and with the general issue of readily available quality day care. This section is arranged alphabetically by state. (For a review of legislative activity on this issue, see the issue brief IB81027 -- Child Day Care: the Federal Role.),Abstract -- Child Sexual Abuse -- What Should Be Done?. Arizona ; California ; District of Columbia ; Florida ; Idaho ; Indiana ; Mississippi ; New York ; Nevada ; North Carolina ; Ohio ; Rhode Island ; Tennessee.,Marsha K. Cerny, Senior Bibliographer, Education and Public Welfare, Library Services Division.,CRS 84-789 L,"November 2, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Federal assistance to housing for low-income families began with the United States Housing Act of 1937 (P.L. 75-412) which provided funds for construction and administration of low-rent projects by local, State-chartered public housing agencies (PHA). This report is concerned with those subsidy programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and whether as presently constituted they best serve the housing needs of the Nation's low-income families.,Brief History of Programs, 1937-1973 -- Current Programs. General Requirements ; Eligibility for Assistance ; Required Rent payments ; Section 8 ; Housing Vouchers ; Public Housing ; Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped (Section 202) ; Rental Housing Assistance (Section 236) ; Homeownership Assistance (Section 235) ; Rental Housing Rehabilitation and Production Grants (Section 17) -- Current Situation -- Chronology of Events -- Additional References.,Grace Milgram, Specialist in Housing, Economics Division,CRS 87-368 E,"April 15, 1987.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Economic Policy Book Reviews is a collection of full length critical reviews of books discussing economic policy. The reviews consist of all those appearing in thirty sources from winter 1983-1984 to November 1984. The sources examined for reviews include newspapers, popular business magazines, economics journals, and political science journals that review books of economic policy interest.,CRS 84-798 L,"November 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This paper summarizes the provisions of the Leadership in Educational Administration Development Act of 1984. The program authorized by this Act would fund technical assistance centers in each State to enhance the leadership skills of elementary and secondary school administrators, such as principals.,Jim Stedman, Specialist in Education, Education and Public Welfare Division.,CRS 84-831 EPW,"December 7, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The National Minimum Drinking Age (NMDA) law reqiures that States not in the compliance with the 21-minimum-age-law by fiscal year 1987 face a loss of a portion of their Federal-aid highway funds. The report discusses the provisions and sanction effects.,Abstract -- Legislative Background -- Provisions in the NMDA Law -- State Status Under the NMDA Law -- Sanction Effect on the States.,William A. Lipford, Analyst in Transportation, Economics Division,CRS 84-784 E,"October 29, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This comparison shows the main features of the Administration's enterprise zone bills, and of the several bills that have been introduced in the 98th Congress as alternatives. These are the bills that have been the subject of hearings. H.R. 1735 (Mitchell) and S. 634 (Hart et al.) are companion bills emphasizing participation by residents and community organizations in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP's) and General Stock Ownership Corporations (GSOC's). H.R. 2375 (Nowak) includes provisions for extension of the Economic Development Administration programs and increased activity by the Small Business Administration, in addition to the tax incentives featured in the other bills.,Charlotte Breckenridge, Analyst in Regional Economics, Economics Divsion,CRS 84-706 E,"July 30, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This paper provides a series of tables on U.S. agricultural exports in terms of both value and volume since 1977. By covering a nine-year period, the tables demonstrate export growth and decline. U.S. agricultural exports in 1986 are just above 1977's, and the 1986 trade balance is the lowest in the nine-year period covered in this paper.,Donna U. Vogt, Analyst, and Barry Carr, Specialist, Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Division.,CRS 87-331 ENR,"April 14, 1987.","This report updates CRS Report No. 87-98, February 10, 1987.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The Fitzgerald Act (National Apprenticeship Act) of 1937 serves as the charter for the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in the Department of Labor. It also provides the legal framework for the Federal Government's involvement in apprenticeship training programs. Briefly, this paper examines the evolution of apprentice training in America, the provisions of the Fitzgerald Act, and recent legislative interest in apprentice training.,Abstract -- Introduction -- Evolution of Apprenticeship and of the Fitzgerald Act. Early Development of Apprentice Training ; The Fitzgerald Act -- How Apprenticeship Works -- Areas of Possible Policy Concern -- Recent Legislative Interest in Apprenticeship Training. The 98th Congress (1983-1984) ; The 99th Congress (1985-1986) -- Legislation of the 99th Congress.,CRS 85-991 E,"October 15, 1985.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

On August 11, 1984 the President signed into law H.R. 1310, the "Education for Economic Security Act" (P.L. 98-377). This paper presents a summary and analysis highlighting the major provisions of this legislation. Part I presents an overview of selected aspects of the legislation. Part II includes a detailed summary and analysis of various provisions of P.L. 98-377, including a description of program activities, legislative requirements and financial support authorized.,Abstract -- Introduction -- Overview. Legislative Focus ; Funding ; Similar Education Legislation -- Summary of Major Provisions. Title I: National Science Foundation Math and Science Programs ; Title II: Education for Economic Security ; Title III: Partnership in Education Programs ; Title IV: Presidential Awards for Teaching Excellence ; Title V: Asbestos Abatement Program ; Title VI: Excellence in Education Program ; Title VII: Magnet Schools Assistance ; Title VIII: Equal Access Act.,CRS 84-782 S,"October 19, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The Education Amendments of 1984 amended the Adult Education Act, extending it through FY 1988, with $140 million authorized for Fy 1985. The 1984 amendments gave the States increased flexibility regarding advisory councils, but data reporting requirements were increased. The provision of programs to benefit educationally disadvantaged adults remains the basic program purpose.,CRS 84-829 EPW,"November 5, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

In additiion to making numerous changes in the tax code, the Deficit Reduction Act (P.L. 98-369) amends many social welfare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Veterans' programs, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. This paper summarizes the social welfare changes in P.L. 98-369.,CRS 84-749,"September 21, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This paper provides a summary and an analysis of issues related to two programs added to the Higher Education Act which authorize assistance to experienced elementary and secondary school teachers and college students preparing to become teachers.,CRS 84-827 EPW,"November 5, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Net outlays for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's commodity price support programs will reach a record $26 billion or more in fiscal 1986. This report briefly discusses how these programs are funded, who benefits from them, and their cost to taxpayers.,CRS 86-1012 ENR,"September 1986.","Revised November 1986.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The general sales or gross receipts tax is the largest single producer of State tax revenues for the 50 States combined, accounting for about 31 percent of total State tax collections in fiscal year 1983. In recent years, the trend has been to exempt food and drug purchases from the tax base while increasing the tax rate on the lower base. This report incorporates the changes in this area during the State legislative sessions of 1984.,CRS 84-758 E,"September 25, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

This report discusses the protections under federal statutory law for federal employees who engage in "whistleblowing" activities, that is, the disclosure by the employee of illegal or improper government activities. The protections cover most employees of the executive branch of government, and would apply where a covered employee makes a "protected disclosure" for which the agency takes a "personnel action" as a "reprisal" for such disclosure.,CRS 86-1018 A,"November 26, 1986.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

The 98th Congress enacted amendments designed to strengthen the 9-year-old child support enforcement programs, a program that is administered by State child support enforcement agencies under the general direction of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. In many States the program has been primarily serving families who were receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The new amendments reflect an effort to refocus the program to serve a broader clientele, and speak specifically in terms of serving all children in the United States who are in need of assistance in securing financial support from their parents, regardless of their circumstances. In addition, the amendments require the States to use stringent enforcement tools, including mandatory wage withholding, in cases involving arrearages. Although there is an atmosphere of widespread support for the amendments, there is also recognition that implementation may raise issues for future Congresses. (This paper originally appeared as an article in the October 1984 issue of the CRS in Review.),Introduction -- Early Hostility to Federal Legislation -- A Turnabout in Congressional Attitudes -- Description of the 1984 Amendments -- Concerns for the Future -- Chart: Children Under Age 18 Living in Two-parent and One-parent Families, 1960-1983,CRS 84-796 EPW,"October 25, 1984.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Much legislation to deal with various aspects of antitrust laws' impact on the United States business community has been introduced or enacted during the past several years. This report places them in the context of the background controversies surrounding antitrust damage reform, merger law standards and the role of antitrust law in the worldwide competitiveness of United States industry.,CRS 86-1014 A,"May 5, 1986.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3