People
Tax breaks for all -- except some feds
Federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System would not see a 2 percent "tax holiday" under the bill that the Senate passed today.
Digital Government
Ho-hum, more bad news for feds
Well, to add insult to injury (no COLA, pay freeze, higher health insurance premiums, etc.), the new tax bill just approved by the Senate does not include Civil Service Retirement System feds among those who will benefit from a 2 percent reduction in payroll taxes next year.
Digital Government
No, not death panel … DEBT panel
Well, it doesn’t look like the president’s bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility ventured too far from the recommendations released last month by the two chairmen of the panel.
Digital Government
Panel urges cutting federal employment as part of major spending cuts
The White House-led debt reduction panel seeks to save $4 trillion by 2020 by cutting the federal workforce, changing the tax code and imposing annual limits on war spending.
Digital Government
Bad timing for feds nearing retirement
With the leaders of the president’s debt reduction panel calling for a three-year freeze on federal civilian pay, and with budget hawks about to take control of the House, chances are probably good that President Obama’s proposed two-year civilian pay freeze will get through Congress and make its way back to his desk.
People
Republicans target telework bill for oversight
Republicans pledge to restore oversight measures to the telework bill, while supporters say savings could far outweigh costs.
Digital Government
Senate confirms Lew as OMB director
The Senate confirms Jacob Lew as director of the Office of Management and Budget after his nomination had been held up.
Digital Government
Prepare to hunker down in 2011
Those who represent federal employees (both union types and lawmakers) squeezed a lot of solid gains for feds from this outgoing Congress, especially in terms of improvements to retirement benefits, and—depending on your point of view—the demise of the National Security Personnel System.
People
Telework bill finally on president's desk
Legislation is an attempt to greatly increase the number of federal employees allowed to telework, but its critics say it won't do the job.
Digital Government
New concerns over cyber terrorism threat
Politicians and national leaders voice concerns over cyber terrorism and and propose ways to address the threat.
Digital Government
Telework bill still cranking through Congress
Well, with the mid-term elections and all the noise over federal pay, we haven’t heard much about the telework bill lately. But the National Treasury Employees Union hasn’t forgotten about it. The union today said it is calling on members of the House to agree to Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 1722, which passed the House earlier.
People
Union hopes to help new lawmakers see benefits of fed workforce
With Republican lawmakers set to take over the House, the head of the National Treasury Employees Union said the union will seek to educate new lawmakers on the importance of the federal workforce -- and the dangers a proposed hiring freeze would pose to taxpayers.
Digital Government
Election aftershocks could hit IT agenda
No one in the federal IT community should be lulled into complacency by the thought that IT is a bipartisan issue, some officials say.
Digital Government
Furloughs, freezes and other measures
The shift in power in the House in the new year may put a lot of things back on the table when it comes to the federal workplace.
Acquisition
Procurement experts weigh election results
Shifting political balance in Congress could bring changes to procurement, IT.
Acquisition
IT innovation might be at risk under new Congress, former Rep. Davis warns
Former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) predicts that the new House GOP majority will be zealous in scrutinizing agency IT innovations for possible cuts.
People
NSPS transition office exceeding goals
The Department of Defense is ahead of schedule in transitioning most National Security Personnel System employees back to older pay systems.
Digital Government
At least it's over
Well, as expected, the Republicans have taken control of the House. And a number of Republican House members who have been talking tough over the past months about trimming government will be stepping into leadership positions when their party assumes majority status.
Digital Government