Research links of the week

Last week there was a flurry of new links to reference sites in government, politics, and public records. Some very cool stuff:

Reference:

The Mitchell Report on baseball and steroids, searchable version to use online or download, from AskSam.

Statistics:

Social Explorer has Census data from 1940-2000, available in map or report format.

Governments, Politics:

Project Sunlight, New York from Attorney General Cuomo's office, searches databases of lobbyists, elected officials, and bills.

The Score from Legistorm, what's happening in Congress right now, including floor tickers, committee schedules, latest reports, and news. New feature along with their staff salaries and legislator trips databases.

Elections 2008 from U. Mich. libraries, has great links.

USASpending.gov, 'a relaunch of www.FederalSpending.gov, that provides citizens with easy access to government contract, grant and other award data.' The Examiner's Mark Tappscott explains the project.

Public Records:

U.S. Civil Helicopter Accident Database, from Helicopter Assn International, searches NTSB accident reports for helicopters.

U.S. Courts Reference and Directory has information about the trial court system in each state. Compiled by the folks who created the Public Records Free Directory.

Florida alcohol testing public records: fascinating database of intoxilyzer reports, not searchable by name but available by date; but PI Buzz tells how to use Google to find names. Also via PI Buzz:

Finding historical SEC filings via the National Archives. And:

Passport applications database from Ancestry.com, covers 1796-1925. Will require paid registration to access records.