Digital Government

Agriculture's animal ID plan has some kicking up hooves

The chairwoman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee expressed reservations about the Agriculture Department secretary's plan to turn much of the proposed national animal identification system over to the states.

Digital Government

Locke proposes 'one-stop shop' climate agency to improve data, predictions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday proposed a climate change service intended to consolidate and improve long-range data and predictions, including rises in sea levels, droughts and other adverse effects.

Digital Government

Bill would create data-monitoring institute to track risks in financial system

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., introduced a measure on Monday that would create a National Institute of Finance to give regulators better data to monitor systemic risk throughout the financial system.

Digital Government

Open government site hasn't sprouted teeth yet, observers say

White House "dashboard" designed to enforce transparency faces tricky task, supporters acknowledge.

Digital Government

FAA asks for big increase for next-generation air traffic control system

Some of the 31 percent hike will pay for automated clearances for takeoffs and managing enroute communications between pilots and controllers.

Cybersecurity

Federal CIO: Budget request includes funds for IT oversight

Money would support recently launched project evaluation system that cancels, halts or overhauls underperforming information technology projects.

Ideas

OGOV Compliance Site Launches

Over the weekend, the White House quietly launched a new Web site aimed at tracking agency compliance with an open government directive released in December.

Digital Government

The Marine, J.D. Salinger and Service

Like many of my generation (I turned 66 on Monday), I grew up with the works of J.D. Salinger, not only <em>The Catcher in the Rye</em>, but his short stories in <em>The New Yorker</em>, which I subscribed to for years, including when I was in the Marine Corps.

Digital Government

On Patrol in the Snow

Jungle fatigues are not the best clothing for 26-plus inches of snow, but the Three Soldiers at the Vietnam Memorial seemed to weather the weather well on Sunday, in this picture taken by my pal Joe Mancinik, a Navy veteran attending The George Washington University, whom I mentor.

Digital Government

Advice on Improving IT Workforce

The Obama administration's fiscal 2011 budget proposal laid out <a href="http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2010/02/2011_budget_includes_investment_in_it_workforce.php">several priorities for the federal IT workforce</a>, including hiring reform, boosting recruitment and retention, replacing retiring workers and implementing a governmentwide collaboration platform.

People

Feds stay connected in aftermath of 2010 blizzard

Many federal employees say they are continuing to work even though they can't get into the office.

Ideas

Crowdsourcing Contests Continue

When it comes to brainstorming solutions for just about anything, federal agencies under the Obama administration like to turn first to their employee suggestion boxes -- which often are attached to major rewards.

Cybersecurity

State's Consular Affairs plans software upgrade

The State Department plans to award blanket purchase agreements to contractors for software engineering and support services.

Ideas

DHS Launches Its Open Gov Site

The Homeland Security Department launched an online tool for citizens and those involved in security to suggest ideas for enhancing transparency at the agency.

Modernization

FDA rolls out Web-based risk assessment tool for food, drug imports

The Food and Drug Administration is launching its automated risk-assessment system that will flag high-risk shipments of imported food and drugs.

Digital Government

Veterans Health Administration runs competition for health IT ideas

The Veterans Health Administration has launched a contest to see which employees and contractors can dream up the best ideas for improving its use of health IT.

People

In defense of teleworking

Blogger John Klossner writes that federal managers' worries about telework should be overcome by the fact that teleworkers are highly motivated professionals who don't take snow days, work through lunch and maximize the hour(s) they save each day by not commuting.