Management

Red Carpet Treatment

Agencies should put themselves in their clients’ shoes.

Management

New Treasury chief signals bipartisan approach to policy challenges

Henry Paulson focused his first major speech since his confirmation on wage growth and uneven economic distribution.

Management

OPM blamed for under-representation of Hispanics in government

New report gives the personnel agency a flunking mark for leadership, accountability.

Tech

E-gov scores improve slightly on latest management score card

Administration highlights improvements in real property management, faith-based and community initiative.

Defense

GSA seeks system for gathering governmentwide travel data

Information from central repository would be used for management reports on government travel trends.

Defense

Senator urges passage of Defense spending bill before recess

Approval before August break would allow more time to finish conference negotiations by the end of the fiscal year.

Defense

Lawmakers push insurance backstop for natural disasters

Program would be administered by the federal government and would need to hedge any risk exposure to protect taxpayers.

Defense

Advocates seek broader protections for chemical plant whistleblowers

Language in chemical security bill does not offer enough outlets for reporting wrongdoing, watchdog groups say.

Management

GAO: Pundit contract and video news stories broke spending rules

Education Department placed in funding violation database for fiscal 2004.

Tech

Report: ICE computer upgrade meeting most requirements

Potential for problems still exists if good management practices aren’t followed, GAO says.

Management

Lawmakers steer NASA funding toward science mission

Mission to one of Jupiter’s moons and other former priorities overshadowed by emphasis on manned trip to Mars, critics argue.

Management

IRS to cut estate tax auditing workforce with buyouts

Legislators question agency’s plan to cut nearly half of estate tax lawyers by Sept. 30.

Defense

Appropriators reject DHS funds transfer request

Federal Protective Service told to consider longer-term planning, explore fee increases.

Defense

Senate panel approves FEMA overhaul measure

Bill would keep agency within DHS, give administrator a direct advisory role with the president.

Management

Committee OKs bill creating database to track federal spending

Similar measure adopted in the House last month would only cover federal grants.

Management

Bill to eliminate inefficient programs pulled from House floor

Critic calls bill a “copout,” saying it passes work Congress should do off on commissions.

Management

Senate panel passes SBA reauthorization

Bill would strengthen federal authority to prosecute large corporations that illegally gain small business loans from the agency.

Tech

Panel: Agency need not subsidize high-speed telework

A labor union wanted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to pay half of monthly high-speed Internet costs for teleworkers.

Defense

Lawmakers demand details on FEMA identity verification contract

Company points to praise of work it conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Defense

DHS to add biometric data to visitor tracking program

Proposal would cover about a million people, including those seeking immigrant or refugee status.