Tech
GAO: Patent office can reimburse teleworkers for home Internet
Decision provides a legal basis for the office to cover employees’ home access, up to $100 per month.
Management
House government reform subcommittee assignments nearly complete
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., says he expects to take over the subcommittee focusing on the federal workforce.
Tech
GSA’s chief acquisition officer to leave for private sector
Emily Murphy will work with a former OMB procurement policy chief to help develop law firm’s contracting practice.
Management
Senate GOP appropriators announce subcommittee leaders
Thad Cochran, R-Miss., reclaims the top Republican slot on the Homeland Security Subcommittee he gave up two years ago.
Management
Taxpayer advocate makes pitch for IRS budget boost
Lawmakers urged to exempt the IRS from budget caps applied to other agencies.
Defense
Bush moves to retain recess-appointed ICE chief
Julie Myers may have trouble navigating the confirmation process in a Democrat-controlled Senate.
Management
GOP senator urges OMB to hold line on earmark reform
Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says moratorium in fiscal 2007 spending bills leaves room for "backdoor" earmarks.
Management
Taxpayer advocate urges repeal of outsourced debt collection
Annual report on IRS activities calls initiative “fatally flawed.”
Defense
DHS announces $445 million in infrastructure protection grants
The bulk of funds available in 2007 will go toward transit and port security.
Defense
Military justice code now covers some contractors
Advocates for contractors say rule change is ill-advised and unlikely to be applied immediately.
Tech
Audit could recoup millions in mistaken Navy telecom payments
Effort will attempt to identify mistakes such as payments on noncompliant contracts or nonoperating circuits, and double billing.
Management
Tax season begins with policy changes, e-filing push
Taxpayers who wish to file electronically can do so through authorized tax preparers, over-the-counter software and the Free File program.
Tech
High-ranking GSA acquisition official to retire
Departure of G. Martin Wagner marks second time in recent months that a senior GSA official involved in e-gov efforts has announced plans to leave.
Defense
Teamsters seek rail security focus
Government and the private sector should collaborate to add more security personnel, officials say.
Tech
GAO: Interior office lacks timetable for trust fund reforms
Office charged with implementing management changes also lacks adequate strategy for operations once reforms are complete.
Management
NASA workers fight layoffs, seek spaceship aid
Agency had planned to cut up to 2,673 employees by the end of fiscal 2006, but senators proposed a moratorium on layoffs.
Defense
Watchdog group urges Congress to attack contractor misconduct
Greater transparency, conflicts of interest also on advocates’ wish list.
Tech
GSA to manage contracts for consolidating personnel systems
The Office of Personnel Management will retain control over the much of the program, including requirements for service providers.
Defense