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 usually 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.

TAX--OPM is improving the "State Income Tax Withholding Program," beginning July 1, 1997. Under the improved program, states wishing to receive annuitant tax withholding no longer will have to obtain election forms from annuitants and maintain their accounts. Instead, states can agree to have OPM assume administrative responsibility for federal annuitants (Office of Communications News Release, May 29).

THE FEDERAL DIARY--Readers ask questions about severance pay and voluntary contributions (The Washington Post).

WELFARE-TO-WORK--"As pressure builds to move people from welfare to work, there's new focus on job training that goes beyond learning to read, type or work a machine. For the first time, it's about attitude, self-esteem and showing up for work on time" (The Sun).

APPOINTEES RETREAT--"About 170 presidential appointees, nominees and agency chiefs of staff will gather at the State Department Saturday for a day-long retreat and orientation session aimed at preparing them for President Clinton's second term" (The Washington Post, A23).

BLIND JUDGE--Senator Alfonse D'Amato has recommended blind attorney Richard Conway Casey to the federal bench in the Southern District of New York. If appointed, Casey would be the first blind person appointed to a Federal District Court judgeship.

OTHER VIEWS--Areas recognize Public Service Recognition Week (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne, WY, 4/24/97; St. Cloud Times, St. Cloud, MN, 5/6/97; Madison County Record, Madison, AL, 4/30/97; Taylor Daily Press, Taylor, TX, 5/6/97; Olympian, Olympia, WA, 5/5/97)