Federal Drive

Friday Morning Federal Newscast

A list of the stories the Federal Drive is following this morning.

Federal News Network Staff

November 13, 2009 8:11 am

2 min read

Written by Jane Norris & Phil Vogel
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

A Federal appeals court rules that Locality Pay does not unfairly penalize Federal workers travel or the right to relocate. The Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act permits extra compensation for some workers in the “lower 48” in order to equalize pay across different geographies. Thursday’s ruling by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected claims that the 1990 law unfairly penalized federal workers who were ineligible for the extra compensation.

Large agencies are each appointing a veterans liaison who will work with former service members on job opportunities and mentor them to help achieve their career goals. Implementation of the November 9th Executive Order will begin at Cabinet-level and large independent agencies, according to Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, but eventually every agency likely will designate a veterans employment liaison. Veterans will continue to receive their five and 10 point preference during the hiring process

The Homeland Security Department’s chief information officer is looking at dozens of large information technology projects to cut costs and reduce risks. NextGov reports some programs could be suspended if major problems are found. DHS is reviewing 79 IT projects it identifies as large and are submitted to the Office of Management and Budget. The project review is the first major initiative CIO Richard Spires has undertaken since President Obama appointed him in July.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has condemned the information leaks regarding the Afghanistan strategy deliberations and last week’s shootings at Fort Hood, Texas. Secretary Gates is threatening to fire anyone in the Defense Department he may find is involved. The Defense Department says that Gates believes at least some of the leaks did come from within DoD.

The CIA has won a months-long turf battle with the Office of National Intelligence. That means CIA station chiefs maintain their oversight over other U.S. intelligence operations and personnel around the world. The battle was over National Intelligence’s effort to designate their own representatives at U.S. embassies, instead of relying on CIA station chiefs.

White House counsel Greg Craig is announcing his resignation today. Craig’s future has been in doubt amid talk that President Barack Obama’s promise to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison by January went off track under his leadership. Veteran Washington lawyer and Obama adviser Bob Bauer is expected to replace Craig as the White House’s top attorney.

More news links

AP Source: Gitmo 9/11 suspects to NY for trial

Unions want say in telework policymaking (FCW)

GAO says union poses no conflict on tanker issue (Reuters)

Shortage in ranks raises questions about Hasan’s military career (CNN)

Blackwater and the Limits to Outsourcing Security (NYTimes Op-Ed)