Tech
From Nextgov.com: Transition official rejects ties to controversial Hindu group
Sonal Shah says she was unaware of organization’s ties to violence in India.
Oversight
Contractors could face increased oversight on the Hill
Democratic Congress likely to steer focus away from administration and toward those getting the money, procurement specialists say.
Defense
Bush administration prepares Defense budget
Request for fiscal 2010 is expected to exceed $580 billion, and officials might seek an extra $80 billion in emergency funds by January to cover military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Oversight
Treasury official vows to beef up oversight of bailout funds
Neel Kashkari tells lawmakers the department will set up a monitoring program with banking regulators to better track how rescue money is being spent.
Oversight
Princeton, foundation settle suit over training future government leaders
Agreement creates organization specifically aimed at preparing students for government careers.
Oversight
Obama urged to focus on performance-based government
Coalition of good-government groups meets with transition team leaders.
Oversight
Groups ask Obama to reverse policies restricting access to information
Transparency advocates are upset by Bush administration orders that give agencies more reasons to withhold documents from the public.
Defense
House Democrat urges Obama to keep Bush’s intelligence chiefs
Current leaders should stay on for at least six months, chairman of intelligence panel says.
Management
Pol Position
OMB’s deputy director for management could be the ideal person to block burrowing in by political appointees.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: GSA to miss 2008 deadline for Alliant services contract
But agency plans to issue awards for the ITservices pact to small businesses by the end of the year.
Oversight
Lawyers make opening arguments in Safavian retrial
Former procurement chief faces three old charges and two new ones related to his dealings with Jack Abramoff.
Oversight
Bush administration is poised to publish new environment rules
Democrats seek to thwart regulatory changes affecting fuel economy standards, endangered species and energy production.
Oversight
Former HUD officials call for a fair housing agency
Republican Jack Kemp and Democrat Henry Cisneros recommend an independent enforcement entity that would replace the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers press Bush to rescind order curbing collective bargaining
Five senators and the House majority leader seek a detailed justification for the directive, which adds new groups of employees to list of those prohibited from organizing.
Oversight