Management

Mixed personnel systems can help uphold merit principles

Managers say having employees under traditional civil service rules blended with those in more flexible systems embeds a culture of merit.

Management

White House staff changes continue

Press secretary announces his resignation and Karl Rove gives up some of his responsibilities.

Defense

Intelligence director’s refusal to cooperate with GAO irks lawmakers

GAO report calls for less restriction of sensitive but unclassified data.

Management

Labor and State performance reports earn top ratings

Annual evaluations by policy institute measure quality of reports rather than performance outcomes.

Management

Birthday Wishes

At 70, the Federal Register really could use a makeover.

Management

Natural resources programs hit hard in push for fiscal austerity

Programs funded by the Interior-EPA spending bill are facing cuts for the second year in a row.

Defense

Acting FEMA chief backs suggestions for improved disaster response

R. David Paulison says, however, that fixes will take several years.

Management

Trade official nominated to be next OMB director

Bush urges Senate to move quickly to confirm Rob Portman as a replacement for Joshua Bolten.

Management

Bush pick for federal procurement chief praised

If confirmed, Paul Denett, a veteran contracting official, would fill a position vacant since September.

Management

Pentagon files appeal of ruling blocking labor relations reforms

Department also releases online calculator for employees to determine paybands under new personnel system.

Management

Bush nominates veteran procurement official for OMB spot

Paul Denett has served as the senior contracting executive at the Interior and Treasury departments.

Defense

FEMA employees laud suggestions for improved disaster response

Lack of coordination at agency blamed in IG report for post-Katrina lapses.

Defense

Lawmaker widens probe of Cunningham contacts

House Armed Services Committee chairman asks staff to retrieve all relevant documents and communications dating back to 1991.

Management

New top White House aide hints at shakeup

Joshua Bolten, who took over Friday, told staff members planning to resign by the end of the year anyway to leave soon.

Management

Report: States need better guidance on improper payments

Better information flow would improve payment accuracy in state-administered programs, GAO says.

Defense

Employees accuse FEMA of racial bias in personnel decisions

NAACP is investigating several claims that blacks were overlooked for promotions and is considering a lawsuit.

Management

OMB: New 2005 regulations brought tens of billions in benefits

Analysts say EPA rules brought the most in both costs and benefits over the past decade.

Management

IRS finds 1,400 employees unfairly passed over for promotions

Labor authority orders agency to give affected employees priority consideration for future promotions.

Management

White House working to better coordinate ocean research

More than 20 agencies and 140 federal laws rule the oceans, coasts and Great Lakes.

Defense

Agencies struggle to get a handle on illegal immigrants

More than 100,000 of the illegal aliens caught by the government last year slipped away.