Tag Archives: commission

New Bill Proposes Safety Commission for Investigating Weather Disasters

Posted on by
Reply

When an American tragically dies in a plane or train crash, a dedicated independent commission investigates the incident to pinpoint failures and develop strategies to prevent similar occurrences.

In stark contrast, there is currently no similar process in place following deadly floods or hurricanes.

Recently, Rep. Eric Sorensen from Illinois introduced a significant bill aimed at establishing such a review commission to thoroughly investigate weather-related disasters and implement preventive measures for the future.

The proposed legislation, titled the National Weather Safety Commission Act, seeks to establish an independent commission with a minimum of seven members, all possessing relevant expertise in fields like meteorology, social science, and emergency management. The President will appoint them, pending Senate confirmation. This commission is modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates all civil aviation incidents and other emergencies.

This proposed commission would have the authority to investigate severe weather events, issue subpoenas for testimony and evidence, and compile reports and recommendations for agencies such as the National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Army Corps of Engineers.

The idea of a weather disaster review has been a subject of discussion among meteorologists and emergency management professionals for years. However, it gained renewed urgency following the devastating flood in Texas this past July, which resulted in over 130 fatalities, including 27 campers and counselors at a camp along the Guadalupe River.

Caution tape marking the entrance to Hunt’s Camp Mystic on July 7.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images File

In the aftermath of the flood, blame quickly shifted among Texas officials, with criticisms directed at the National Weather Service, which was operating with reduced staff due to funding cuts from the previous administration. Questions were raised about the accuracy of rainfall forecasts as well as the effectiveness of local emergency management systems and alert protocols.

“We quickly discovered that political maneuvering was complicating the issue,” Sorensen told NBC News. “We need to implement substantial changes to ensure that a tragedy of this nature does not recur. We will enlist the top experts on an independent board to deliver insights that Congress can use to formulate policies prioritizing public safety.”

As the sole meteorologist in Congress, Sorensen underscores the urgency of this initiative.

“Meteorologists have been advocating for years that we need to enhance our response mechanisms,” Sorensen asserted.

In recent years, Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) have introduced various proposals aimed at creating similar disaster review boards. Additionally, several Republican colleagues, including former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), are championing comparable legislation. The concept of an independent review body for weather-related incidents dates back to 2006.

Currently, the new bill lacks bipartisan sponsorship.

“This situation is a crucial test for us during this administration and in our currently polarized political climate: Can we still achieve bipartisan collaboration? Can we unite across party lines to enact necessary changes?” Sorensen expressed.

Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois) at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2024.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call (via Getty Images)

Neil Jacobs, former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) appointed by President Trump, endorsed the proposal for an independent review panel.

“Accurate data is essential for post-storm evaluations,” Jacobs mentioned during his Senate confirmation following the Texas disaster. “Drawing from my experiences with the NTSB on aviation incidents, I can envision something similar for weather-related catastrophes, as we require comprehensive data to assess what succeeded, what failed, and the efficacy of warning systems.”

Sorensen confirmed he has collaborated on this bill with Jacobs.

“I believe he is the ideal ally to help propel this initiative forward,” Sorensen stated.

Douglas Hilderbrand, executive director of the American Weather Companies Association, an emerging organization focused on weather forecasting and information delivery, is also collaborating with Sorensen on this legislation.

“Weather is fundamentally a bipartisan concern,” Hilderbrand emphasized. “We remain optimistic about this initiative.”

The bill delineates specific types of events qualifying as weather hazards for the commission’s examination, including any disaster declared by the President under the Stafford Act, along with severe weather events resulting in at least 10 fatalities or 100 injuries. Such events deemed “rapidly occurring” mass casualty incidents are included as well.

The Weather Safety Board would convene a vote within 14 days of the occurrence of such an event to determine whether to initiate an investigation.

The Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Homeland Security (including FEMA), Federal Communications Commission, and NOAA (including the National Weather Service) will be obliged to furnish data and information to the Commission upon request.

The board will have a period of 90 days post-major weather event to draft an interim report, followed by a comprehensive final report due within a 20-month timeframe.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

British Security Service alerts about Chinese hackers targeting UK Electoral Commission and politicians

Posted on by
Reply

Security officials have determined that Chinese state-backed hackers orchestrated two “malicious” digital campaigns targeting democratic institutions and politicians in the UK.

The UK holds China accountable for a cyberattack on its electoral commission, where the Chinese government allegedly accessed personal information of approximately 40 million voters.

The National Cyber Security Center, part of GCHQ, revealed that four British MPs critical of the Chinese government were targeted in a separate attack but were able to identify and prevent any compromise before it occurred.

The UK has imposed sanctions on two individuals and a front company associated with the Chinese state-backed cyber group APT31, believed to be behind the hack. “Beijing’s attempts to interfere in Britain’s democracy and politics have not succeeded,” noted Oliver Dowden.

Dowden emphasized that protecting democratic institutions is a top priority for the UK government and vowed to continue calling out and holding the Chinese government accountable for such activities.

The Foreign Office will summon the Chinese ambassador to answer for these actions, with Dowden stating that strong action will be taken if UK interests are threatened.

Since the cyberattacks in 2021 and 2022, the UK has bolstered its cyber defenses, established a Democracy Defense Task Force, and enacted the National Security Act of 2023 to empower security agencies to thwart hostile activities.

Members of Congress targeted by the cyberattacks are expected to be named by the government as victims of a Chinese state-sponsored cyber attack.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith called for a new approach to the UK’s relationship with China, recognizing the modern Chinese Communist Party for what it is.

China denied the accusations, stating that the cyberattack claims are fabricated and defamatory, and that they do not condone cyberattacks.

Prime Minister David Cameron addressed the cyberattacks directly with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, condemning the targeting of UK democratic institutions.

The UK remains vigilant in protecting its values and democracy from threats, and emphasizes the importance of awareness of such threats for all countries.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Spiff, an automated commission management platform, acquired by Salesforce

Posted on by
Reply

sales force is announced plan to obtain Spiff, a platform that automates commission management for sales teams. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2017, Spiff provides a low-code interface designed to help companies easily create sales compensation plans that automatically update based on talent meeting pre-agreed goals. . Native integration with popular enterprise CRM and ERP systems allows you to handle the most complex commission structures, including any conditions to trigger a payout, while giving sales reps the ability to see in real-time the commissions owed. He Spiff says.

The Salt Lake City-based startup invested in Spiff’s Series B round in 2021, including a cash infusion from Salesforce’s own venture capital firm Salesforce Ventures, which previously led a $50 million Series C round. , which has raised more than $110 million in its six-year history. this year.

Spiff

Spiff image credits: Spiff

Once the acquisition is complete (expected within the first few months of 2024), Salesforce says it plans to bring Spiff to life internally. Sales performance management The software is a CRM connectivity product that connects customer and sales team data.

It’s worth noting that both companies have a history that goes beyond stock investments. Spiff becomes available It has been available on the Salesforce AppExchange for several years.

The deal is also the latest in a series of ecosystem companies that Salesforce has ultimately brought in-house. Back in September, Salesforce acquired Airkit, a low-code platform for building AI customer service agents. Airkit’s founders have previously exited Salesforce by selling a big data startup called RelateIQ for his $390 million in 2014, as well as Salesforce Ventures, which he founded in 2017. Since then, I have invested in Airkit several times. And like Spiff, Airkit was also available. On AppExchange.

So it’s clear that Salesforce continues to view proven ecosystem companies as a safe option for its M&A efforts, and that “low code” is also a key element.

Source: techcrunch.com