Agency overwhelmed with furlough appeals
(Katherine Frey / The Washington Post)
Cases of federal workers who say they were unjustly let go swamp the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Federal Diary
Personnel chief optimistic despite challenges ahead
The new OPM director must deal with low employee morale and many other issues.
New OPM boss faces federal employee morale problems
New OPM boss takes office during difficult time for federal employees, including morale issues and pay cuts.
Incoming union president defends ‘public postal service’
New leader of largest postal union promises a more militant stance in support of ‘public postal service.’
Former Google exec said in the mix to run U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
A former Google intellectual property lawyer is said to be a possible pick to run the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The Bold and The Beautiful on location in Budapest
Obama nominates Hollywood producer of “The Bold and The Beautiful” for ambassadorship to Hungary, Army under secretary for Saudi Arabia.
Smokey Bear says: Only you can prevent government officials’ misconduct
Using the Freedom of Information Act can sometimes take you into the surreal world of Franz Kafka.
The High Court
At Supreme Court, tradition trumps technology
A panel last week looked at how the justices’ stubbornness goes beyond barring cameras in the courtroom.
Supreme Court continues to scrutinize affirmative action
Case asks justices whether Michigan’s ban on preferences can violate guarantee of equal protection.
Supreme Court’s Baby Veronica ruling only the beginning
THE HIGH COURT | The little girl’s future is still in doubt, despite the ruling that an Indian adoption law doesn’t apply.
Fine Print
Fine Print: The limits of NSA reforms
Lawmakers should be mindful of how intelligence gathering works in the real world.
Fine Print: Can U.S. keep up with war technology?
The military exhibits a hard time adapting to new technologies and letting go of older ones.
Fine Print: In tribute to Tom Foley, a lesson in leadership
Bob Michel spoke movingly of their bipartisan relationship. It would be nice if current lawmakers took note.
Latest Federal News
Survey: Federal workers’ job satisfaction drops
Employees still say work is critical, but cite frustrations with pay, budget cuts; fewer recommend federal jobs.
Federal job satisfaction now lowest since 2010
The annual Employee Viewpoint Survey for federal workers shows growing discontent.
White House names new climate chief
Dan Utech will succeed Heather Zichal as the administration’s top climate and energy adviser.
Can the CFC make a post-shutdown comeback?
More than 400 people and 30 charities attended a comeback event at the National Institutes of Health on Thursday.
Shutdown furloughs will warp jobs report and economic picture
Temporary shutdown impacts could create a mirage of worsening U.S. economic conditions.
Former Google exec said in the mix to run U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
A former Google intellectual property lawyer is said to be a possible pick to run the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
In the Loop: Looking for needles in a federal haystack
It’s hard for taxpayers to get info about the federal government if they are kept in dark about its dealings.
Shutdown cost $2 billion in lost productivity, report finds
The 16-day shutdown had a ripple effect, hurting spending by visitors to parks and delaying permits.
Energy Dept. failed to report concerns on green-tech firm
Ecotality, which got $135 million in funding but is now bankrupt, fell behind on vehicle-charging stations.
Personnel chief optimistic despite challenges ahead
The new OPM director must deal with low employee morale and many other issues.
IRS reduced fraudulent refunds, but problem still cost billions
An inspector general found 1.1 million undetected tax returns filed with stolen Social Security numbers.
Government shutdown cost $2 billion in lost federal employee productivity, White House says
White House budget chief says government shutdown cost taxpayers $2 billion in lost employee productivity
As disability backlog drops, VA plans temporary halt to overtime
The Department of Veteran Affairs has eliminated more than 200,000 cases from the backlog of disability claims, a 34 percent decrease since its peak of 611,000 in March, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki told reporters Thursday, but plans to temporarily cease the use of mandatory overtime, an initiative credited as an important part of the reduction.
DOE failed to report concerns about bankrupt firm
An inspector general said DOE officials failed to report that Ecotality was not on track to meet its obligations for a $100 million grant.
The Bold and The Beautiful on location in Budapest
Obama nominates Hollywood producer of “The Bold and The Beautiful” for ambassadorship to Hungary, Army under secretary for Saudi Arabia.
Smokey Bear says: Only you can prevent government officials’ misconduct
Using the Freedom of Information Act can sometimes take you into the surreal world of Franz Kafka.
Tony Trenkle: The HealthCare.gov official who stepped down
The technology executive helped oversee the development and rollout of the federal government’s flawed online health-insurance exchange.
Report: Hundreds of VA’s historic buildings at risk
Fearing some will be razed, the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks better protection.
Fine Print: The limits of NSA reforms
Lawmakers should be mindful of how intelligence gathering works in the real world.
In the Loop: Who says poster board isn’t interesting?
A Web site showcases Congress’s visual aids.
Excerpts from oral arguments in prayer case
Supreme Court debates N.Y. town’s practice of opening meetings with a Christian prayer.
Paper nautical charts? That’s so 1862.
NOAA announces that it will no longer print nautical charts, which have been available for most of the last two centuries. Welcome to the digital seas, old salts.
Senators call for resignation of top DHS auditor
Whistleblowers have accused acting Homeland Security Inspector General Charles Edwards of misconduct and abuse of power.
Supreme Court balances religious interests in prayer case
The justices consider whether Greece, N.Y., improperly identified itself with Christianity for 10 years.
Will Zipcar run the federal fleet?
GSA is launching a pilot program to encourage car-sharing by federal employees.
An unusual personnel announcement?
New congressional communications director puts out announcement of his own promotion
Supreme Court finds dilemma in spurned wife’s conviction
Justices consider when federal government can intrude on powers traditionally given to states.
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