Pay & Benefits
Researchers downplay generational differences
New studies indicate that older federal employees actually have many of the same core values as their younger colleagues.
News
Montana senator takes appropriations route to protect state phrase
Language in the recently-approved Commerce spending bill would continue the restriction on trademarking "Last Best Place" slogan.
Defense
Major Defense weapons systems not fully funded, GAO reports
Congress may have to reduce spending on other federal programs or accept less warfighting capability than promised.
Defense
House subpanel approves bill to help soldiers terminate service contracts
Bill gives service members financial protection if deployed for more than 90 days, or transferred to another base.
Defense
Legislation extends residency rights to military spouses
The bill amends a law that allows soldiers to keep one state of residency regardless of where military orders send them.
Defense
Border officers get retirement benefits boost
A legislative provision that took effect over the weekend gives Customs and Border Protection officers law enforcement status.
Pay & Benefits
Mail Call
Answers to readers questions about creditable service and calculating annuities.
Oversight
IG: State Department passport system wide open
Poor security policies and lack of clear disciplinary actions allow unauthorized users to view personal information in files.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Census re-examines using Internet for 2010 count
After years of arguing with Congress against providing an online method to submit information, the bureau is back to seriously studying the option.
Oversight
Advocates outline plan to protect whistleblower rights
The new administration should create an Office of Government Transparency and Openness, panel says.
Defense
Federal identity programs boost biometrics market
The estimated value of potential contracts to implement federal identity-solutions programs has more than doubled since 2006.
Pay & Benefits
CDC’s human capital plan overlooks contractors, GAO says
Agency told to include a growing outside workforce in strategy for globalized mission.
Oversight
EPA failed to comply with sole-source contracting rules, report finds
Inspector general says noncompetitive contracts lacked proper approval, market research.
Pay & Benefits
The Price of Public Service
There’s more to the federal pay reform debate than dollars and cents.
Defense
Senate panel slashes foreign visitor ID system
Appropriations committee, frustrated by delays, cuts US VISIT fiscal 2009 budget by nearly two-thirds.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Census receives $210 million in emergency funding for 2010 count
The money will cover extra costs the bureau will incur due to its decision not to use handheld computers to support the decennial census.
Tech
Generation Y seeks more interaction with government online
Report says younger citizens rely on blogs and social networking tools for information.
Defense
Homeland Security awards data center contract to CSC
Contract, worth a potential of $390 million, is another step toward consolidation of department's 18 data centers.
Oversight