News Briefs

THE DAILY FED

News Briefs

SECTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

10th Annual Federal Quality Conference

Get more information on this special conference and download a brochure and registration forms from our special conference section.

U.S. Navy International Logistics Symposium

Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton will be a guest speaker at a three-day International Logistics Symposium sponsored by the Navy International Programs Office in conjunction with the American Society of Naval Engineers, July 14-16, 1997, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Crystal City, VA. Representatives from government, industry and foreign nations will meet to exchange ideas and review exhibits on a variety of logistics topics related to the Navy's Foreign Military Sales program. For program information contact NAVSEA (703) 602-9000.

The following news summaries are from OPM AM, the daily newsletter of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM AM is available on OPM Mainstreet, the agency's electronic bulletin board, at 202-606-4800.

**TSP OPEN SEASON**The Thrift Savings Plan Open Season runs through July 31. During this time, you may begin contributing to the TSP, change the amount of your TSP contributions, or allocate TSP contributions to your account among the three investment funds. To get more information and download the forms you will need, click here.

KOSKINEN LEAVING--After three years as OMB Deputy Director John Koskinen is leaving. "His departure comes at a crucial time for the executive branch. Federal agencies must produce five-year strategic plans in September to show what goals they hope to achieve under the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act, a law that seeks to clarify the roles of programs and measure their accomplishments" (The Washington Post).

FEDERAL JOBS--"Sen. John Warner and Rep. Tom Davis have proposed that the headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and its 1,000 jobs be moved from the District into Northern Virginia. While this would keep the jobs in the region, the District can ill afford any new draining away of federal jobs (The Washington Post, Editorial).

THE FEDERAL DIARY--A surviving spouse of a federal retiree is eligible for a monthly check that is equal to 50 to 55 percent of the retiree's annuity. For most married federal employees, providing some level of a survivor annuity is a good idea, but it is wise to consider more than one option as you plan for retirement. For some people, life insurance may be a sensible alternative (The Washington Post).

POSTAL SERVICE--The movement toward electronic payments may have serious consequences for the Postal Service (The Washington Post).

MANAGED CARE--Doctors and patients protest what they see as potentially dangerous penny-pinching by the health-care industry (The Washington Post, 6/30/97)

GOVERNMENT RECORDS--The head of the National Archives came under attack in federal court for issuing a controversial rule that authorizes all government agencies to wipe out their e-mail and other computerized records without regard for their content (The Washington Post, 6/28/97).

PATENT OFFICE --Congress is considering revamping the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office--the commissioner lashed out at opponents who claim the restructuring will make it easier for foreign competitors to steal U.S. inventions (The Washington Times, 6/28/97).

FEDERAL TIMES--OPM recommends the Federal Employees Family Friendly Leave Act be made permanent since the program has worked so well, allowing employees to use sick leave for certain family needs....Results Act could affect employee paychecks (6/7/97).