Federal Drive

Monday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: The president signs a bill today that will bring major chang...

Federal News Network Staff

June 22, 2009 8:23 am

2 min read

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

The president signs a bill today that will bring major changes to your federal Thrift Savings Plan. The measure adds an after-tax Roth 401(k) option to your investment menu on top of mutual fund choices. It also adds automatic enrollment for most new federal workers and a survivor benefit for spouses. The TSP provisions are part of legislation that would give the FDA new powers to regulate tobacco.

Start rummaging through your pantry this morning to help others. The Office of Personnel Management is joining with Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf to collect one million pounds of food this summer. The effort kicks off tomorrow, and it depends on you, the federal worker to make it happen. Organizers are calling it the Feds Feed Families National Food Drive. The non-perishables will go to the Capital Area Food Bank. Details on how you can donate are expected tomorrow, when OPM Director John Berry and Congressman Wolf visit to Food for Others. That’s Northern Virginia’s largest volunteer food distribution facility.

The House passes a legislative spending bill to keep the halls of Congress buzzing next year. The $3.7 billion dollar measure includes an increase for the Government Accountability Office to hire more staff. FederalTimes reports it also includes funding for the Capitol Police and Government Printing Office, but absent is money for the Senate. That will be added when the Senate itself takes up the bill.

It’s a big change-up for IT project management at Veterans Affairs. Effective immediately, program managers will need to adhere to a strict, incremental development plan or risk losing their oversight responsibilities, reports NextGov. The new approach uses something called the Project Management Accountability System and focuses on delivery milestones. It’s aimed at reducing the risk of failed technology projects.

KPMG, one of the country’s largest accounting firms, has launched a new arm to help government with financial accountability and transparency. The company says its Government Institute will become a forum for federal, state and local financial managers. A press release from the institute says it will also help the private sector as it shifts to meet new federal requirements for accountability.

Other Stories We’re Following

VA Moves Texas Brain Laboratory After Years Pass Without Testing (WashingtonPost)

Shoestring Staffing at Major Washington Regional Radar Facility Forces Closure of Busy Airspace (press release)

White House wants prizes for innovators (FCW)

US dedicates new diplomatic office in Taiwan

Roses, messages honor fallen fathers at Vietnam memorial (Stars&Stripes)

Bo Obama featured in White House baseball card