Management

Accountability and Cost Efficiency Goals Amplified in Biden’s $6.9 Trillion Budget Proposal

This is just a wish list, as the administration still has to hammer out an agreement with a divided Congress.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Officially Proposes an Average 5.2% Pay Increase for Federal Workers and the Military in 2024

The largest proposed pay raise for federal employees since the Carter administration still falls short of the demands of some Democrats and unions.

Tech

Acting National Cyber Director Offers New Details on Upcoming Cyber Workforce Strategy

The forthcoming plan is meant to accompany an overarching cyber strategy released last week that industry groups and cybersecurity experts said would be challenging to implement given the nation’s cyber workforce woes. 

Defense

Air Force Must ‘Reintroduce’ Itself to America, Recruiting Service Commander Says

Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas says “declining familiarity with who we are” is partly to blame for recruiting problems.

Workforce

'Flexibility of Time' Is Key to Remote Work Culture

Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel join the podcast to discuss how to build a team for remote work.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Reportedly Will Propose a 5.2% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024

This would mark the largest boost federal employees have seen since the Carter administration, but still falls short of union and Democrats’ demands.

Management

Team Maryland Champions Its State for the New FBI Headquarters

Both the Maryland and Virginia congressional delegations have meetings with the General Services Administration this week. 

Oversight

How the ‘Holman Rule’ Allows the House to Fast-Track Proposals to Gut Government Programs without Debate or Much Thought at All

House Republicans have adopted a rule used periodically over the past 150 years that allows lawmakers to speed up and streamline votes to dismantle federal programs and fire federal employees.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Managers and Recruiters, Take Note: Salaries May Stay Way Behind Inflation's Spiral

Inflation could stymie federal agencies’ efforts to recruit new employees and hold on to existing ones.

Workforce

Biden Is Rebuilding the Federal Workforce… Slowly

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss how the White House has fared in fixing the "hollowed out" workforce.

Management

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Unveils Initiatives Aimed at Small and Midsized Operations

Tom Vilsack also discussed creating a new “seed liaison” in the department to increase fairness in the commodity biotech industry, and proposed changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Pay & Benefits

A Bill to Protect Feds During Shutdowns Is Back, This Time With Debt Default Safeguards Too

The measure would suspend the enforcement of civil penalties related to falling behind on bills until 30 days after the end of a government shutdown or debt ceiling breach.

Defense

Republicans Want a Briefing on the Defense Department’s ‘Lax’ Financial Management

The Pentagon failed its fifth-ever audit in 2022, but department officials say they are making some progress. 

Defense

Marines See Early Successes in Retention Push—and Ways to Do Better

Meanwhile, the commandant wants to bring skilled people into the Corps at advanced ranks.

Tech

Needed: More and Better Data for a More Equitable Federal Workforce

The federal government needs quality data systems in place to measure how well education and training programs are preparing skilled workers.