Management

Church and State

How much should federal managers let faith be their guide?

Management

Majority of senators oppose deep Social Security budget cuts

Spending caps will apply budget pressure that could lead to furloughs.

Tech

OPM drops effort to shift financial management to Treasury bureau

Agency instead will conduct public-private competition to select a new provider.

Defense

DHS official urges caution on sharing of biometric info

The intelligence and law enforcement communities need access to information, but ethics concerns must be addressed.

Management

Auditors cite progress on SBA management challenges

Small business certification rules still listed as troubled area.

Defense

Report: Security agency needs better financial management

Independent study urges Federal Protective Service, which secures government facilities, to improve process it uses to bill agencies for services.

Tech

IRS drops public-private contest for computer services

Agency will study alternatives to competition that could have encompassed more than 2,000 jobs.

Management

Auditors question agency estimates on payment errors

Homeland Security is among eight agencies reporting they had no programs susceptible to improper payments.

Tech

GSA replaces career leader of policy office with political appointee

Agency spokeswoman says the move is meant to reflect the office’s involvement in presidential management initiatives.

Defense

College courses in homeland security on the rise

While classes are proliferating, some observers remain skeptical that homeland security will ever become its own discipline.

Management

FEMA's Makeover

Acquisition chief Deidre Lee is getting ready for the next Katrina - just don't ask about those no-bid contracts.

Management

IRS enforcement activities bring in record revenue for 2006

Commissioner says strides in enforcement of tax laws have not come at the expense of customer service.

Defense

Transportation sector lags in joining infrastructure protection effort

Some industries formed councils as early as 2002 to better coordinate security efforts with the government

Tech

Agencies urged to improve IT security tests

Agencies do not know for sure whether their technological systems are properly protected, the Government Accountability Office finds.

Management

Appropriators ask Bush to steer clear of new user fees

Such proposals have been mainstays of Bush's budget blueprints but give appropriators headaches because they have the effect of creating unrealistic offsets for additional spending.

Management

GAO offers oversight advice to new Congress

Personnel reform, integration of Homeland Security agencies, and the government’s emergency response plans are among areas tagged for greater focus.

Defense

Travel groups say U.S. visitors report unfriendly reception

DHS spokesman says study attributing a decline in visitors in part to the way they're treated by government officials at airports is “flawed and self-serving.”

Tech

Budget stalemate may leave newer e-gov efforts in limbo

The next Congress, led by Democrats, could have an opportunity to undo restrictive language.

Management

EPA inspector general nominee awaits partisan panel vote

Critics question nominee's efforts to exempt the Pentagon from environmental regulations when he worked there.

Management

Most agencies get clean audits, but big problems persist

Five agencies with $507.5 billion in spending had problems so severe that auditors were unable to form an opinion on their finances.