Budget

• FEHBP modernization plan receives cautious optimism from Hill

  The Office of Personnel Management told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that the 50-year-old law creating the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) has hurt its ability to keep the FEHBP up-to-date. The agency estimates billions in savings over the next decade should Congress approve the White House's proposals in the 2014 budget request.

  Budget

  April 11, 2013
• Budget, sequestration and jobs

  On this week's Capital Impact show, Bloomberg Government analysts discuss the latest jobs report and and how sequestration is affecting the economy of Fairfax County Virginia. April 11, 2013

  Budget

  April 11, 2013
• Is your retirement check shrink-proof?

  Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Would you be willing to accept a slightly smaller retirement benefit if it would help get the country out of debt? What if future cost-of-living adjustments to your civil service benefit were reduced by a mere 0.3 percent each year?

  Mike Causey

  April 11, 2013
• President’s 2014 budget includes pay increase, but retirement changes loom large

  Federal employees would see a slight pay bump next year under President Barack Obama's proposed budget for 2014. But at the same time, the White House budget outline proposes sweeping changes to federal employees' retirement benefits, including reductions to annual cost-of-living increases for retirees.

  Budget

  April 10, 2013
• White House pushes $2B increase in IT spending

  The White House asked Congress for a $2 billion increase in federal technology funding for fiscal 2014. Federal CIO Steve VanRoekel said there is broad recognition that the time to invest in IT is now because of the long-term savings and benefits it can bring.

  Budget

  April 10, 2013
• DoD’s 2014 budget: Fewer civilians, higher retiree health fees

  The Defense Department's 2014 budget proposal reduces the size of the civilian workforce slightly, increases TRICARE premiums, and requests another round of base closures. It also calls for a slight raise for both civilian employees and uniformed servicemembers. The budget significantly exceeds the Defense spending caps in current law.

  Budget

  April 10, 2013
• Intel community seeks to protect workforce from sequestration’s impact

  James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, said the 17-agency community is trying not to repeat lessons of past cuts that hampered analytical capabilities. Clapper also issued a new IC-wide code of ethics and made a key change to the security clearance form.

  Budget

  April 10, 2013
• Analysis: Pay, benefits, O&M will swallow entire DoD budget by 2024

  Absent structural changes, the combination of 10-year budget caps Congress has already approved and rising growth in personnel costs mean DoD would be able to sign paychecks, administer healthcare benefits and not much more.

  Budget

  April 08, 2013
• Full-time EPA employees face 32 furlough hours

  Craig E. Hooks, assistant administrator at EPA's Office of Administration and Resources, sent an email to all agency employees describing the agency's furlough plans. Full-time employees will be furloughed for 32 hours during the first phase of EPA's furlough process.

  Budget

  April 05, 2013
• Sequestration hits us all (and I do mean all)

  When it comes to the perils of sequestration, it appears that federal workers are all over the place, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Some say it's just another political fire drill, while others say this time for sure. Been-there-done-that workers say this too shall pass. But paycheck to paycheck people say furloughs could wreck their financial lives. So, where are you in all this?

  Mike Causey

  April 05, 2013
• Smaller IT budget doesn’t stop FDIC from modernizing

  Russ Pittman, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's chief information officer and director of the Division of IT, said he asked for a technology budget that is eight percent less in 2013 because the agency completed several large scale projects. April 4, 2013

  Ask the CIO

  April 04, 2013
• OMB offers updated guidance to agencies facing sequestration cuts

  The Office of Management and Budget has directed agencies to take full advantage of the funding flexibilities they have under law as they implement across-the-board sequestration cuts, that went into effect March 1. In an April 4 memo, OMB Controller Danny Werfel also directed agency and department leaders to be mindful of certain types of performance awards and to work with agency inspectors general before making cuts to IG offices.

  Budget

  April 04, 2013
• Hagel tells Pentagon to brace for more cost cutting

  In his first policy speech, new Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised the military, but acknowledged DoD has grown older and more expensive in almost every way. While not a tacit acceptance of the automatic budget cuts imposed by sequestration, Hagel acknowledged it was time for the military to reassess how it can operate in the new budgetary environment where there will be fewer dollars available.

  Budget

  April 04, 2013
• Feds helping furloughed feds

  Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund Executive Director Steve Bauer, and Sean Reilly from the Federal Times, will discuss furloughs, and their impact on feds. April 3, 2013

  Mike Causey

  April 03, 2013