Pay & Benefits
Obama sets 2 percent civilian pay hike for 2010
Citing economic and national security emergencies, the president says Americans “would not understand or accept” higher raises.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Could mobile technology have stopped the state dinner security breach?
Some IT specialists say better communications among security forces could foil attempts to sneak into White House events, but others say nothing will fix human error.
Pay & Benefits
Job seekers continue to value face-to-face interaction
To recruit young feds, agencies have to reach beyond Facebook and YouTube.
Oversight
Agencies can honor existing ACORN contracts
Justice memo argues Congress was unclear on whether spending ban applies to pre-existing agreements.
Oversight
CBO: Nongroup premiums will rise under health care bill
Congressional budget office predicts the measure would increase average nongroup premiums 10 percent to 13 percent by 2016 above what they would be if current law remained in place.
Defense
Obama contacts Hill about Afghan decision
At least 31 members from both parties and chambers have been invited to a meeting with the president before his address to the nation on Tuesday night.
Defense
White House breach raises questions about Secret Service pay and oversight
Homeland Security requested money for more staff in its fiscal 2010 budget.
News
From Nextgov.com: Military Health to evaluate two electronic dental records systems
Agency will spend six months reviewing applications developed by a Northrop Grumman-SAIC team and Harris.
Oversight
Watchdog finds ‘pervasive deficiencies’ in Medicare contract management
Office responsible for the health insurance program has failed to implement past recommendations to reduce risk in contracts, GAO says.
Pay & Benefits
High health premiums could force some employees to shop around
Benefits specialists advise taking both out-of-pocket costs and premiums into account when comparing plans.
Oversight
Interior details onshore oil and gas lease sales for 2010
Sales to include parcels in National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska after a two-year hiatus.
News
Analysis: Batten Down the Hatches
Be it a retirement tsunami or a trickle, the forecast calls for strategic workforce planning.
Oversight