Digital Government

Government shutdown looms as lawmakers debate funding bill

At least one government agency is making plans for a government shutdown -- including employee furloughs -- and lawmakers debate whether such a shutdown is likely.

People

8 agencies face big IT cuts

Federal CIO Vivek Kundra reveals the agencies that would see the sharpest IT cutbacks in fiscal 2012 under the administration's IT management reform plan.

People

Awaiting IT reform details, CIO launches online dialogue as first step

The Obama administration said last December that it would strive to redefine the role of agency CIOs as part of its 25-point IT management reform plan. While there has been little detail so far about how exactly the administration intends to achieve this goal, it appears that some CIOs are moving ahead.

Digital Government

Administration blasts GOP's proposed cuts for rest of 2011

The Obama administration said today that it strongly opposes the continuing resolution legislation introduced by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers.

Digital Government

DOD budget calls for leaner military

The Defense Department's proposed $553 billion budget for fiscal 2012 marks a modest increase.

Digital Government

White House's bad e-mail luck

The White House e-mail system was a hot topic recently after the system experienced an outage and then was named as a possible source of cyberattacks in the United Kingdom.

People

How to grow young feds at your agency

Given all the pressures on the federal workforce, agencies will soon have to do more to keep younger employees on board.

Digital Government

GOP leader ups the ante: $100 billion in spending cuts this fiscal year

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) wants to cut $100 billion in spending for the remainder of fiscal 2011, keeping the Republicans' "Pledge to America."

Cybersecurity

Alleged White House e-mail cyber incident now called attack from China

Reports last week of alleged White House e-mails involved in a cyberattack in the United Kingdom are receding, but even so, diplomats abroad are calling for more global protocols for cyber activity.

Cybersecurity

White House e-mail system accused in UK cyberattack

The White House e-mail system is back in service after a temporary shutdown, but today there is a new discussion about cyberattacks that allegedly originated from White House e-mails.

Digital Government

House panel proposes steep funding cuts for agencies

The House Appropriations Committee has mapped out its spending blueprint, including proposing double-digit cuts for some federal agencies.

Digital Government

And around it goes ...

The position of some members of Congress is that insourcing certain work to federal employees somehow “robs” jobs away from the private sector. The Obama administration’s overall policy, on the other hand, has been to insource jobs to the federal workforce when those positions perform “inherently governmental functions”—and to take a hard look at work that is contracted out.

Modernization

White House e-mail service fails

The White House's unclassified e-mail system went down early Thursday; the reason was unknown by late Thursday afternoon.

People

Obama chooses leader for government reorganization

President Barack Obama has chosen the federal chief performance officer to lead in developing a plan to reorganize the government.

Digital Government

Could pay for performance make an unexpected comeback?

While it’s unclear if feds will be subject to workforce cuts or a longer pay freeze as a result of the administration’s overall belt-tightening, it will be interesting to see if the idea of implementing a pay-for-performance system resurfaces as a way to lower costs and improve the government’s efficiency.

Digital Government

Government reorganization taking first steps

The White House's plan to substantially reorganize the federal government is in its earliest stage, and still needs Congressional approval.

People

Facebook tracks chatter on Obama, Tea Party at State of the Union

Facebook released internal data today showing usage trends during President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech.

People

Use digital tools for better e-rulemaking, former official advises

Responding to the president's call for streamlining federal regulation, former White House CTO Beth Noveck today urged agencies to take immediate steps.

People

Thousands signing up for Telework Week

The Telework Exchange is reporting that with 5,480 pledges to participate already made, the total amount saved by those taking part in next month’s Telework Week event will be approximately $340,000.

People

Commission's work informs president's cost-cutting plans

President Barack Obama highlighted the across-the-board spending cuts recommended by the fiscal commission in his State of the Union address, although he said he didn’t agree with all of the commission’s proposals.