Management
Homeland Security appeals decision blocking personnel reforms
Bush administration continues push for governmentwide reform despite DHS’ legal troubles.
Management
OPM drops terrorist-screening rule for federal charity drive
Participating organizations no longer required to check employees against government watch lists.
Management
GOP leaders try again to beat clock on budget-cutting bill
House Republicans' effort to push through measure cutting wide swath of government programs fell short last week.
Defense
Homeland Security, IG battle over proposed merger
Dueling arguments unveiled in IG report recommending that immigration and customs-related units be combined.
Defense
Accounting improvements underway at Pentagon
Officials cite progress but say four or more years are needed to resolve lingering financial issues
Management
Panel weighs idea of ‘super court’ to handle federal employee appeals
Opponents of proposal say such a court would simply create more bureaucracy.
Management
Congress looks to provide $1.2 billion for VA in austere budget environment
Money is needed to achieve President Bush's amended funding request, announced this summer after embarrassing errors in VA budget projections were discovered.
Management
Unions attack Pentagon’s policy switch on national bargaining
National-level bargaining was portrayed as one of “three pillars” of personnel reforms in initial talks.
Management
SBA launches program to expedite loans for small Gulf Coast firms
Move comes amid mounting criticism that agencies are failing to involve small businesses in reconstruction.
Management
Attempt to broker postal reform deal unravels
Rates will be increased if overhaul legislation isn’t approved this session of Congress.
Tech
IRS tees up next generation of tech contracts
Twenty-one companies to share in $3 billion, multiple agency IT services agreement.
Management
Committee members irked by Katrina contracting practices
Anger fueled by officials’ lack of knowledge on disaster relief policies.
Management
Intelligence execs urged to gain experience with multiple agencies
Such exposure likely will become a requirement for executive jobs, human capital chief says.
Tech
High-level team to probe interagency contract vehicles
OMB move aims to address congressional concerns that contracts may offer duplicative services.
Management
Report: EEOC failed to weigh all reorganization options
Agency officials didn’t consider all of the advice contained in an outside report before moving forward on restructuring, GAO finds.
Management
GAO chief repeats calls for greater fiscal responsibility
Measures to evaluate whether spending is effective are necessary, Comptroller General says.
Management
Flexibility fuels intern program’s growth
More than 90 percent of Federal Career Intern Program graduates plan to stay in government, MSPB finds.
Defense