Response to Why Twitter?

In his latest VLog (http://is.gd/bTIJZ), @cheeky_geeky (Mark Drapeau) asks those of us who work with government why we would use what he calls an unreliable service (Twitter and Facebook) on official government websites providing these services with a de facto endorsement. I think Mark clearly knows the answer. I think the fact that he isRead… Read more »

Access Restored

Hot dog! At some point a few months ago, I lost the ability to view GovLoop and other Ning-based sites from my office computer. I assumed that this was because my agency had yet to move away from IE 6.0 and grumbled accordingly. But this morning, I clicked a link in Twitter and found myselfRead… Read more »

Cloud Computing and Virtualization Aren’t What you Think

Today I had the opportunity to listen to a discussion about cloud computing and virtualization of IT services: “The Future of Enterprise IT Architecture” with representatives from Cisco, VMware, and Barquin. Now most non-IT government workers, like myself, probably would think, “Why in the world would you subject yourself to something like that?” But fortunatelyRead… Read more »

Health-care relief for feds?

Happy Wednesday! Lawmakers have introduced a measure that would allow the Office of Personnel Management to extend health-care coverage to the adult children of federal workers before the new federal health-care law takes effect next year. Several health insurance companies plan to extend coverage to adult children up to age 26 starting in June, butRead… Read more »

Working for an ‘improved picture’ of public servants

As Public Service Recognition Week begins, the Federal Eye spoke with Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, about this week’s events, President Obama’s recent defense of government and why it’s still hard to get a job with the government: Federal Eye: What do you hope happens this week? Stier: There are twoRead… Read more »

Report: 15 of 73 watchdog jobs vacant

At least 15 of the 73 federal inspectors general, auditor or whistleblower protection jobs are vacant or tied up in the Senate confirmation process, according to a new report by the Center for Public Integrity. Congress created 12 inspector general positions in 1978 and the list has grown to cover at least 69 agencies. ThoughRead… Read more »

AFGE APPLAUDS REP. VAN HOLLEN FOR INTRODUCING THE FEHBP DEPENDENT COVERAGE EXTENSION ACT

Bill Extends Health Care Coverage to Young Adults (WASHINGTON) – The American Federation of Government Employees today commended Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) for introducing the FEHBP Dependent Coverage Extension Act. “This bill ensures that the dependents of federal employees will be covered through the age of 26,” said Beth Moten, AFGE Legislative Director. “CongressmanRead… Read more »

CITY JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM PLAGUED WITH MISMANAGEMENT

Union Says Youth Violence Directly Related to Failures of City Government (WASHINGTON) – The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents employees of the District of Columbia’s Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services, (DYRS), today said that the recent rash of youth violence can be directly attributed to failures of the city’s juvenile justice system.Read… Read more »

Member of the Week – John Nelson

I spoke with John Nelson, the Privacy Officer for the Food Safety and Inspections Service at the Department of Agriculture. His efforts are at the forefront of personal privacy development and safeguarding. He aptly describes how privacy issues have far reaching affects, and why protection of personal privacy interests requires a proactive approach. The talkRead… Read more »