Author Archive

Jessica Brady

Oversight

Panel backs customer service standards for agencies

Measure would require officials to gather survey and focus group data, and submit it for annual reviews.

News

Committee OKs bill requiring agencies to reduce emissions

Agencies would need to ensure all buildings are “carbon neutral” by 2050; new facilities would need to be more eco-friendly than standing ones.

Oversight

Watchdog group seeks probe of Education Department use of e-mail

Organization says it was told some Education employees use private e-mail accounts for official business; department says that's not the case.

Oversight

Mine safety agency under fire for slow compliance with 2006 law

Watchdog agency report cites failure to routinely assess inspectors, consistently perform emergency simulation drills or regularly educate staff on new technologies.

Oversight

Education secretary defends oversight of student loan programs

Margaret Spellings enlists regulators to help stop abuses.

News

Enforcement agency expands Hatch Act probe

Office of Special Counsel to look at improper political presentations and e-mail exchanges that may have occurred across the executive branch.

Management

GAO's bid for more money puts focus on staffing needs

Agency chief points out that GAO's budget, adjusting for inflation, has declined by 3 percent since 2003.

Management

Postal Service does not foresee layoffs despite pressures

Lawmakers express concern about potential measures to cut labor costs, which take up 80 percent of the agency’s budget.

Management

Political e-mails trigger surge in Hatch Act complaints

The Office of Special Counsel recorded 299 complaints last year -- an all-time high for the independent investigative agency.

Management

Dems support expansion of GAO, but question affordability

Head of the audit agency says budget boost would help with heavier workload and allow projects beyond issuing reports.

News

Lawmakers probe FDA response to harmful pet food

Legislation introduced in February would create a single food safety agency.

Management

GAO seeks money, staff to expand oversight role

Comptroller general also urges greater transparency in government financial and budget reporting.

Management

FOIA reform bill moves through House subcommittee

Legislation would pressure agencies to meet deadline to respond to information requests within 20 days.

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.

Management

Legislators make last-ditch push on postal bill

House Government Reform panel leaders are advancing a proposal they say has a chance of passage this week, but it’s unclear how the Senate will react.

Management

Mailers decry inaction on postal overhaul measure

Pending legislation would alter rate-setting procedures, but prospects for passage in the waning days of the lame-duck session are slim.

Management

Senator unsure of postal overhaul's lame duck prospects

A key issue is whether the Postal Service should price single-piece parcels based on market forces.

Management

Postal overhaul languishing despite compromise offer

White House opposes language that would allow the Postal Service to use escrow account money to cover operational costs.

Management

Senate chair wants anti-smoking provision out of postal bill

Proposal would ban Postal Service from delivering cigarettes purchased online by underage customers.

Management

Committee OKs bill creating database to track federal spending

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