As a part of the final deal on FY2011 appropriations, Congress afforded Race to the Top an additional $700 million. While this is a steep drop from its initial $4 billion investment under the Recovery Act, it still represents a significant win for the Obama administration as it seeks to sustain one of its signature grant programs and education reform initiatives.

Anyone paying attention to the health sector grant funding landscape is certain to see several opportunities each year specifically designed for rural health networks. Under these programs, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) distributes the majority of federal dollars available to formally organized rural health networks, which usually requires a pre-existing relationship (prior to grant announcement), while some is reserved for entities in the planning stages of network development. In Fiscal Year 2012 alone, HRSA has committed $17.2 million in funding for rural health networks. Since most of the commitments are for multi-year projects, the real funding total over the next three years will exceed $50 million.

On May 9, 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Ray LaHood, announced the reallocation of $2 billion in high-speed rail grants. The re-awarding of $2 billion came as the result of Florida rejecting initial high-speed rail funding that had been awarded under the previous governor, Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL).

The "Arab Spring" of revolutions and demonstrations across the Middle East began December 17, 2010 when street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire in protest of political oppression. Since Bouazizi's self-immolation, two long-standing dictators, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunsia, and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt have been ousted, a civil war compelling international involvement has erupted in Libya, and brutal crackdowns continue across the increasingly volatile region.