Author Archive
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.
