News Briefs

THE DAILY FED

News Briefs

Third Annual Performance Management Conference, May 13-14, McLean, VA

Plan now for the Third Annual Performance Management Conference, May 13-14, 1997, in McLean, VA, at the McLean Hilton Hotel. This conference is designed to provide practical, cutting-edge information on a wide variety of topics related to performance appraisal and awards. To receive a brochure, call (202) 606-2720, or fax a request to (202) 606-2395. For additional conference information, call Digna Carballosa at (202) 606-1778 or E-Mail dmcarbal@opm.gov.

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.

THE FEDERAL DIARY--"The surprise decision by President Clinton to back away from an independent study of the consumer price index--the yardstick used to measure inflation--is good and bad news for federal and postal unions" (The Washington Post, B2).

VOTING RIGHTS EXAMINER--OPM assigned a Voting Rights Examiner to the State of Texas for a special election in Bexar County's District 28 for an election being held there tomorrow. Voting Rights Examiners are federal employees assigned by OPM, under the authority of the Voting Rights Act of 1995 to receive complaints of discriminatory voting practices during specified elections (Office of Communications Press Release, March 13).

TELECOMMUTING--"Telecommuting started out as a flexibility option for workers. Now distant staffing is an employment tool for employers, helping them save lots of money in equipment and space costs and allowing them to hire the best people for jobs event if those workers don't live next door" (Workforce, March).

AROUND GOVERNMENT--OMB yesterday identified 254 programs and projects it wants to eliminate in the next fiscal year (The Washington Post, A25)...Veterans are looking for jobs, not government handouts (The Washington Times, Letters)...A Congressman from Texas disagrees with the President that government should lead the way in creating jobs for people on welfare (The Washington Times, Commentary).

HEALTH CARE QUALITY--A growing number of companies think the recent emphasis on cutting health care costs may be compromising the quality of medical care their employees are getting, a survey released Thursday finds (USA TODAY).

OTHER VIEWS--With a strong will, the era of big government can be over (Daily Press, Newport News, VA, Feb. 16)...Workers can now lobby on government time (Roll Call, Washington, DC, Feb. 20)...Improving rules for U.S. disability pensions (Chief, NY, NY, Feb. 7).