Oversight
Bush urges federal agencies to purchase from blind, severely disabled
President promotes a federal procurement initiative that provides jobs for disabled Americans.
Oversight
Coalition calls for more Social Security funding and oversight
Groups criticize office closures, Bush funding request.
Defense
Lawmaker to DHS: Don’t give appointees career status
The House Homeland Security chairman is worried about the department’s transition planning.
Pay & Benefits
GAO, union reach agreement on 2008 pay raises
Some agency analysts would receive a pay boost of 4.49 percent.
Oversight
FDA still underfunded, say lawmakers
Despite president’s latest budget boost, some believe it’s not enough for agency to fulfill its mission.
Defense
GAO says Defense workforce plan insufficient
The Pentagon is not prepared to tackle a pending retirement wave and other looming workforce challenges, says watchdog agency.
Pay & Benefits
Unions clash over TSA representation
AFGE, NTEU battle for membership, influence among the rank and file at the Transportation Security Administration.
Oversight
Extra funds could help Social Security improve claims processing
SSA chief says workforce buried under avalanche of baby boomer retirement and disability claims.
Pay & Benefits
Fair Pay, Fair Play
In order for pay for performance to work, employees must believe it doesn’t reinforce existing biases.
Defense
Bush seeks repeal of law enforcement benefits for CBP officers
Budget includes proposal to repeal measure allowing Customs and Border Protection officers to retire earlier.
Defense
Budget breakdown: How agencies, programs fared
Winners and losers in President Bush's fiscal 2009 budget proposal.
Pay & Benefits
Bush seeks 2.9 percent civilian pay raise; 3.4 percent for military
Proposal in fiscal 2009 budget comes after annual congressional call for pay parity.
Pay & Benefits
January a tough month for TSP returns
Stock funds post large losses amid uncertainty on Wall Street.
Pay & Benefits
New retirement claims system not ready for rollout, GAO says
Report warns that staffing, testing and budgeting missteps could spell failure to launch.
Pay & Benefits
Senate panel votes to raise federal judges' pay
Judiciary Committee backs 32 percent salary hike.
Pay & Benefits
Educate Yourself
Gathering information early and often is the best way to avoid being surprised by the size of your retirement check.
Pay & Benefits
OPM touts success of performance-based pay
New report analyzes series of systems covering more than 298,000 employees.
Pay & Benefits
Winners and Losers
Will higher pay increases be enough to keep Defense employees under a new personnel system motivated?
Defense