Federal Report

  • Even though it's a federal holiday, the one when working folks are supposed to rest, Uncle Sam has millions of lifeguards - civilian and military - on duty today. For obvious reasons. And even if you can't see them, they are there, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    September 03, 2012
  • When somebody tells a fed they've got good news and bad news and which do they want first, there is no right answer. So what is it now. And what does it mean when the boss says to report to her office with a burlap sack and two mangoes?

    August 31, 2012
  • What's it like to ride the federal gravy train? Politicians, pundits and others tell us all the time, and it sounds great. So Senior Correspondent Mike Causey decided to upset the apple cart and ask some long-time easy riders what it's really like. They did.

    August 30, 2012
  • What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it a dedicated IRS auditor, a serious federal agent or a compassionate VA employee? Or, do you have a Charles Dickens moment and spot the ghost of Christmas Future - you after you have retired? While feds have mostly held on to their jobs, things could change quickly, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    August 29, 2012
  • Navel gazing is as old as the republic, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. You can do it two ways: You can gaze at somebody else's or, in moments of reflection, at your own. Sort of like the wisdom of the crowd without the crowd. Today's column features some introspective visions of government operations from people on the inside.

    August 28, 2012
  • Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to pay taxes ... or paid only for things we like and want? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey consulted a longtime legal eagle at the Treasury Department and she had some interesting points.

    August 27, 2012
  • Want to know who's going to win the November election? Forget about the Beltway-bound pundits, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Check with career civil servants who have been watching their political masters for signs of fear or euphoria...

    August 24, 2012
  • We've been to the surface of the moon, and the bottom of the ocean but as yet, no one has answered the eternal question: Is there life after retirement? Today we have some clues, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    August 23, 2012
  • What makes a great federal leader? One of our readers says the formula is simple - behave in a manner that would make her daughter (or your kids) want to be like you!

    August 22, 2012
  • Uncle Sam employs a larger percentage of veterans than any big company in the nation...we know it's policy and it's the right thing to do. But is it a good idea? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey reports that a been-there-done-that type says "Roger that..."

    August 21, 2012
  • No ifs, ands or butts. Smoking is an issue at many federal agencies. A lot of nonsmokers resent giving people time off for what they consider is an unhealthy, smelly habit. But smokers say what they are doing is no worse than people who overeat or use their government computers for some naughty purposes. Where there's smoke there's fire.

    August 20, 2012
  • Federal workers are going to be doing the limbo on a hot seat for much of the rest of the year, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey. Will sequestration kick in with its major across-the-board cuts, will the continuing resolution save the day and what if nothing happens, which seems to be what happens a lot these days?

    August 17, 2012
  • What has the recession, the pay freeze and this summer's heat done to the dress code in your office? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Are you seeing more of your co-workers and enjoying it less?

    August 16, 2012
  • Host Mike Causey moderates a roundtable discussion of sequestration, postal service buyouts, and more. August 15, 2012

    August 15, 2012
  • Coming soon...maybe...to a federal agency near you: Sequestration. Everybody is talking about it and nobody is doing anything about it. Congress set up the Dr. Strangelove-like time bomb to force it to do something...but so far nobody is doing anything but warning about federal furloughs and layoffs that could also devastate the contractor community.....

    August 15, 2012