Pay & Benefits
GSA cracks down on smoking in and around federal buildings
New rule will shutter indoor smoking rooms; policies will be phased in over six months.
Defense
Border security will loom large for Obama administration
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, the likely chief of Homeland Security, has been a vocal critic of federal efforts.
Pay & Benefits
Report shows mixed progress on federal employee job satisfaction
Surveys for the past 25 years indicate increasingly positive views of compensation, but relationships with managers remain a sticking point.
Oversight
Downward Spiral
At first glance, the GOP appears to be at a disadvantage for the third straight election cycle in the 2010 Senate races.
Defense
Agencies close in on goals for faster security clearance processing
Officials are optimistic the government will hit a target of reducing processing times for most initial requests to 60 days by the end of 2009.
Defense
Defense lays groundwork for new management chief
Deputy Secretary Gordon England has outlined the responsibilities of the position, which will go to an Obama appointee.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: DHS to collect biometric data from green card holders
New rule that expands US VISIT program requires fingerprints and digital photos from noncitizens who are permanent residents .
Oversight
OPM suspends executive promotion boards
Move will give incoming Obama administration agency heads a say in who advances to the Senior Executive Service.
Oversight
Obama's Senate background could speed confirmation process
The president-elect is versed in the rules of the chamber and has developed relationships there.
Oversight
Obama names science and technology team
President-elect says he will promote "free and open inquiry" and listen to his advisers, even when they are presenting "inconvenient" findings.
Tech
From Nextgov.com: SEC mandates open standard for financial records
Requiring public companies to file documents in XBRL could improve oversight of financial markets and change the way stocks are analyzed, investment professionals say.
Oversight
Chamber report proposes fixes to patent review process
Re-establishing the Patent and Trademark Office as a government corporation is among the recommendations.
Oversight