Lawmakers Introduce Legislative Option to Modernize Agency IT Systems
A legislative alternative to the White House’s proposed $3.1 billion IT Modernization Fund has been introduced in both the House and Senate.
MSPB Clarifies Law on Preappointment Reason for Termination
The Merit Systems Protection Board reversed the termination of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee who was terminated after the Agency discovered that a current probation agreement bound the employee to inform prospective employers of his status and prohibited the use of computers with online services and the use of data encryption.
During Metro Repairs, Lawmakers Move to Allow Transit Benefits to be Used for Ridesharing
Last week, Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced legislation to allow federal employees to use their transit benefits toward ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
Reduced IRS Budgets = Reduced Revenue and Service
Everyone agrees there’s a problem at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the question is: who is responsible? IRS Commissioner John Koskinen has described an “abysmal level of service,” and the numbers bear out the Commissioner’s concern.
Testimony Supporting Another Employee in AIB Interview is Not Protected
On June 17, 2016, the Merit Systems Protection Board held that an appellant’s testimony during an Administrative Investigation Board (“AIB”) investigation is not protected activity under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9)(B), which protects agency employees that testify or lawfully assist individuals in the exercise of appeal, complaint, or grievance rights.
House Committee Seeks Answers on Political Appointee Conversions
In a letter to Acting Director Beth Cobert of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee last week requested details regarding how many political appointees have been converted to career positions since September of last year.
White House Threatens Veto Over IRS Budget Cuts
The White House is threatening a veto to the House version of the fiscal 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill because of its inclusion of $236 million in additional cuts to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) budget.
House Committee Looks to Hold Administrator in Contempt of Congress
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is weighing a vote on a resolution to hold the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Administrator in contempt, with Chairman Jason Chaffetz leading the charge while House Democrats stand in opposition.
MSPB Clarifies Lack of Candor Charges
A Veterans Affairs police officer was charged with lack of candor, among other charges and specifications, and although the Board sustained the employee’s removal, it reversed the charge of Lack of Candor, clarifying the law in the process.
This Week on FEDtalk: Bringing in the Next Generation of Feds
Millennials are the largest, most diverse generation the country has ever seen, yet less than seven percent of all federal employees are Millennials (born after 1980). A slow hiring process and a series of poorly executed internship programs may contribute to the lack of interest from Millennials.
IRS Budget Slashed Once Again
An early draft of a fiscal 2017 appropriations bill has passed through the House Appropriations’ subcommittee on financial services and general government with massive cuts to the IRS’ budget.
Failure to Object to Scope of Appeal Barred Adjudication of Unreasonable Post-Restoration Position
A Postal Service employee appealing the agency’s failure to restore her to a position after she was injured and gained new medical restrictions argued that the position she was restored to was so unreasonable as to be an effective denial of her restoration, but her appeal was limited to the time period before she was restored.
Senate NDAA Provision Would Narrow Veterans’ Preference
The Senate’s Defense authorization bill for fiscal 2017 currently includes a provision that would narrow veterans’ preference in hiring efforts so that it would only apply to a veteran’s first job in federal service. The new provision would not factor in veteran status for any subsequent federal jobs an eligible employee applies for.
Legislation to Bypass Unions Moves on Senate Side
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) voted unanimously to approve a new measure that would allow federal agencies to bypass employee unions when blocking access to webmail and other websites believed to be security risks.
MSPB Newsletter Highlights Adjudication Number for Fiscal Year 2015
On May 23, 2016, the Merit Systems Protection Board issued its Spring newsletter, which included its adjudication statistics for Fiscal Year 15.
Senate Bill Would Enhance Retirement Benefits for 30K Feds
Legislation introduced last week would ensure all federal law enforcement officers receive enhanced retirement benefits.
MSPB: Board Review Must Be Solely on Grounds Invoked by Agency
The Merit Systems Protection Board remanded a case to the administrative judge because the charges were not reviewed solely on the bases invoked by the agency.
This Week on FEDtalk: Prepping for the Presidential Transition
With election day only six months out, federal employees, agency heads, and many organizations in Washington are preparing for the upcoming presidential transition. Here to discuss this hot topic is a roundtable of representatives from organizations around the federal community who are looking at the transition from both the political and workforce viewpoint.