How Are 2020 GS Pay Scales with Locality Calculated?
For Civilian Federal Employees, the end of the calendar year marks a possibility for changes to General Schedule (GS) Pay Scales. Understanding how the system works can help you make better financial decisions for you and your family. This knowledge also allows you to make an informed career decision when comparing positions or considering a transfer. To help you make sense of it all, WAEPA has compiled a guide to GS Pay Scales.
Bipartisan Bill Focuses on Drone Manufacturers
Legislation introduced last week by Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) in the House and Rick Scott (R-FL) in the Senate would prohibit the federal government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries identified as national security threats. Lawmakers fear these drones would be a risk to national security.
DHS Inspector General Issues Report on Efforts to Address Internal Opioid Use
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) has issued a report analyzing how Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Secret Service have dealt with opioid use in the midst of a national opioid epidemic. The report issued in November assesses how the components have addressed both legal and illegal opioid use.
A Billion Wasted Here, a Billion Wasted There
FMA was encouraged by the two-year bipartisan budget deal Congress and the Administration agreed to and passed in August 2019, preventing sequestration and raising the debt ceiling. The document even called for “orderly and timely consideration” of FY2020 spending bills, but mere weeks remain on the second CR of the fiscal year. Members of Congress frequently say they want to run the government like a business. But a business that constantly ran with budget uncertainty and delayed funding would never thrive or stay in business long. FMA implores Congress and the Administration to come together and fully fund FY 2020.
Partnerships to Improve Public Service
Tune in to FEDtalk this week for a discussion on improving public service- from the institutional level to the individual level. Guests from across the federal community will discuss how they work together to build a better public service system.
OPM Releases Final Job Family Position Classification and Qualification Standards for Implementation
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released for implementation the final Job Family Position Classification and Qualification Standards for professional and administrative occupations in the Accounting, Auditing, and Budget Group, 0500.
Federal Circuit: Hasty Probationary Period Removal Motivated by Preference-Eligible Status
The Social Security Administration removed a preference-eligible veteran from his position as an attorney advisor near the end of his one-year probationary period due to allegedly poor performance. The employee filed for corrective action with the Merit Systems Protection Board, alleging that the agency violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) when it removed him because of his preference-eligible status. An MSPB administrative judge denied the request for corrective action, and the employee appealed to the Federal Circuit. On November 7, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the MSPB decision, and remanded the case to the MSPB for a determination of the appropriate corrective action.
White House Issues Update to National Strategic Computing Initiative
The White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has released an updated National Strategic Computing Imitative on Pioneering the Future of Computing. The plan builds upon the 2016 plan in an effort to further engage partners in government, academia, and industry. The plan acknowledges the success of the current strategic computing plan and works to build upon this success.
Appropriations Update: House Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Until Dec. 20
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
USDA Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs
For National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, this video highlights how the USDA uses nutritional assistance programs following natural disasters to ensure victims have access to food resources.
How To Help Homeless Veterans
The National Park Service is a staple agency for many Americans. The History Channel dives into the NPS’ roots.
Federal Manager Allegations Are Unsettling
For federal managers, ignorance is expensive. Know your exposures and the protections available to you.
Understanding Open Season Options
Host Tony Vergnetti will sit down with Joan Melanson from Long Term Care Partners and Kathleen Proctor, David Yoder, and William Breskin from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to discuss what this Open Season has to offer.
Bipartisan Budget Reform Bill Passes out of Senate Committee
The Senate Budget Committee advanced legislation last week to reform the congressional budget process, the first bipartisan budget reform bill to pass the Committee since 1990.
NAPA Outlines ‘Grand Challenges’ In Public Administration
The Grand Challenges fall into four categories: Protecting and Advancing Democracy, Strengthening Social and Economic Development, Ensuring Environmental Sustainability, and Managing Technological Changes.
OPM Releases Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Results
Results indicate that happiness among federal employees increased slightly in 2019, although most large agencies saw little change.
VA Launches Virtual Exam Stations in Rural Communities
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Project Atlas seeks to bring telehealth services to rural communities where veterans lack internet connectivity in their homes. The agency has announced a partnership with private sector groups to test 10 remote telehealth patient examination rooms in locations across the country in coming months.
New Cyber Standards May Shrink Contractor Pool
Officials at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) have expressed confusion about whether new vendor cybersecurity standards will limit the number of vendors that qualify for critical government technology projects.