Management

Senators propose group to focus on looming fiscal mess

Goal is to come up with solutions to problems such as the cost of providing benefits to retiring baby boomers.

Management

OPM finalizes rule tying bonuses to performance

Regulation contains few changes from draft version, despite concerns awards will be swayed by favoritism.

Defense

Rice announces new Iraq reconstruction coordinator

Administration offers no details on increasing the number of federal civilians in Iraq, commits to adding military-civilian reconstruction teams.

Defense

Advisers urge DHS chief to seek intel community’s support

Advisory panel also says department should seek the equivalent of a chief operating officer.

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

Known Unknowns

Defense's financial management problems defy easy fixes.

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.