This Week on FEDtalk: Enhancements & Whistleblower Programs
Tune in this week for a special show on whistleblower programs with the Justice Department’s Deputy IG, a Deputy Counsel at Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Special Counsel's Chief of Investigation and Prosecution.
Bill Calling for Greater Protections for Whistleblowers Goes to President
A bill to clarify that the Whistleblower Protection Act, in fact, shield federal employees who disobey orders because they are illegal, was presented to the President last week after passing both houses of Congress.
This Week on FEDtalk: Preview the EEOC Executive Leadership Training
Tune in this week for a preview of the EEOC Executive Leadership conference where you can gain the highest quality leadership training through unforgettable experiential learning on the Gettysburg Battlefield Leadership Tour.
Appeals Court Affirms Dismissal of COLA Dispute
After a $232,500,000 settlement agreement was executed in 2000 that also mandated that the United States Office of Personnel Management issue new regulations governing the Cost of Living Adjustment (“COLA”) program, plaintiff federal employees filed suit alleging that the government breached the settlement agreement and both the express and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Congress Approves Appeals Extension Bill while MSPB Awaits Appointments
The House unanimously passed a bill last week to grant federal employees more time to have their personnel cases heard while Merit System Protection Board’s (MSPB) hands are tied due to lack of political appointments.
Federal Circuit Reverses MSPB Order to Repay OPM Overpayment
After the Merit Systems Protection Board found that a retired federal employee failed to prove that the recovery of overpaid benefits from the Federal Employee Retirement System (“FERS”) would be against equity and good conscience, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the MSPB’s decision, finding that the Administrative Judge’s analysis (which the full Board accepted) was not supported by substantial evidence, was erroneous, and that recovery of the overpayment was unconscionable given the “inexplicable” three-year delay by OPM to finalize the retiree’s benefits, and the additional four-year delay between the retiree’s request for reconsideration and OPM’s decision.
President Trump’s FY18 Budget Request: A Race to the Bottom
President Donald Trump unveiled his Administration's fiscal year 2018 (FY18) budget request on Tuesday, May 23rd.
President Trump’s Budget Proposes Major Cuts to Federal Retirement System
Released today, President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget proposes a series of cuts to the federal retirement system that would significantly impact current retirees and employees, plus future federal employees, according to federal financial experts.
Supreme Court: Veteran Can’t Be Forced to Indemnify Ex-Spouse When Electing Benefits
A retired Air Force Veteran’s divorce decree awarded his ex-wife 50 percent of the veteran’s future Air Force retirement pay, but thirteen years after the divorce, the veteran was found partially disabled due to an earlier service-related injury, and elected to give up an equal amount ($250 monthly) of retirement pay in order to receive disability pay – thereby reducing the value of his ex-wife’s 50 percent share by 50 percent of $250.
Budget Cuts to IG Offices will Prove More Costly in the Long Run
Inspectors general from 24 agencies say they are suffering under President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze.
Constitutional Individual Right to Carry Firearm Outside Home? Supreme Court Considers Hearing Case
The Supreme Court is considering whether to hear a case which asks whether the Second Amendment entitles ordinary citizens to carry handguns outside the home for self-defense.
This Week on FEDtalk: Supplemental Insurance Options for Feds
Tune in this week to learn about your options for long term care and life insurance as a fed.
Lawmakers Push for Increased Cyber Hiring and Training
Three Democratic Congress members sent a letter this week suggesting the government borrow private-sector practices to improve federal hiring and training in order to bolster the cybersecurity workforce.
Top 7 Things to Know about the Budget, and How Civilian Agencies Came out Ahead
Lawmakers agreed on a deal early Monday morning to fund the government and avoid a shutdown by week’s end.
This Week On FEDtalk: Inside NCIS
Tune in this week to get an exclusive inside look at NCIS and its latest investigations from Deputy Director, Sam Worth, and Drew Lochli, the assistant special agent in charge of the NCIS Cyber department.
Will President Trump Settle for Border Wall Funding at a Later Date?
Days away from a potential government shutdown, President Trump and Republican Congressional leaders are at odds on funding the President’s wall.
Supreme Court to Decide Appellate Jurisdiction in Federal Employee “Mixed Case” Appeals
In the first case argued before Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justices appeared to disagree about how to handle “mixed cases,” alleging both adverse employment actions against federal civil service employees and prohibited discrimination, where the Merit Systems Protection Board concludes it lacks jurisdiction because the employee was not subject to an appealable action.
Officials Lament Possibility of Another CR
With two weeks to go until government funding runs out on April 28, and considering Congress has not passed a budget on time for seven of the last eight years, Congress is working on borrowed time for its 2017 budget.