FedSmith.com - Daily Headlines

Your 2010 Pay Raise: 2%, 2.9% or 3.4%?

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:38:03 CST

Will the 2010 average federal pay raise be 2%, 2.9% or 3.4%? All three figures are being used in Congress by different committees. Here is an update on the status of the 2010 pay increase.

Opposing Benefits for Gay Federal Partners

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 06:49:19 CST

President Obama and the House's only openly lesbian member are pushing a bill that would give equal benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) opposed that effort during the legislation's first hearing.

"[T]he broadest indictment of an agency of the federal government"

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 06:57:58 CST

The Federal Protective Service is under the microscope. It cost $150 and took about four minutes for government investigators, working in a sting operation, to make small bombs from materials they carried into high-security federal buildings that house major agencies. "In all the years I've been hearing GAO reports, that's about the broadest indictment of an agency of the federal government that I've heard, according to Senator Joe Lieberman.

From Army Green to Postal Blue

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:13:27 CST

After being stationed in Bagdad for a year, this Sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard is back on the street: in his former job as a letter carrier.

Larger Federal Deficit = Higher Taxes

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 07:16:05 CST

Congress and the President have already increased tobacco taxes to pay for extending health coverage to 4 million children in working low-income families. Lawmakers are looking for more revenue to help pay for providing medical insurance to millions more people. "They understand that at some point tax increases are going to be necessary across the board."

Government Ownership and Your Next New Car

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 08:51:30 CST

Will you be more or less inclined to buy a car manufactured by GM or Chrysler when you buy your next vehicle? Will management decisions for these companies reflect a political agenda or will decisions be made to ensure the profitability of each corporation?