Federal Daily - January 23, 2009

Obama Tightens Ethics Rules

President Obama on Jan 21 issued a series of executive orders that will tighten federal ethics rules for White House officials, freeze pay for senior West Wing executives and curb some lobbying activities. Under one order, political appointees are required to certify that they received their job based on their qualifications rather than political connections. Gifts from lobbyists are barred. And employees who leave the government will be forever prohibited from lobbying the Obama administration. The revamped ethics rules apply to all non-career presidential or vice-presidential appointees, non-career appointees in the Senior Executive Service (or other SES-type systems), and those appointed to a position that has been excepted from the competitive service by reason of being confidential or policymaking, the order said. It does not include any person appointed as a member of the Senior Foreign Service or solely as a uniformed service commissioned officer. Under another order, salaries of White House employees making more than $100,000 per year will be frozen. As part of his campaign pledge to run a more transparent government, Obama ordered federal agencies to be more compliant in producing documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act and also signed an order which prohibits anyone other than the president from asserting executive privilege to prevent the release of records after an administration ends. To see more, go to: www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments.  

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TSA Survey: Employees Discontented With Pay, Treatment

According to a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) survey, agency employees believe what they do is important, but feel they are underpaid and treated unfairly by TSA management. According to TSA’s 2008 Organizational Satisfaction Survey, only 22 percent of TSA employees think promotions are fair and transparent, and only 28 percent think their pay raises are based on how well they do their jobs. Of those surveyed, about one-third feel they receive recognition for a job well done, and less than a quarter of the workers feel personally empowered in their jobs. Few employees gave front-line managers and top management high marks, according to the survey. Among the respondents: 22 percent said managers and leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment; 24 percent said they were satisfied with the policies and practices of TSA senior leadership and local managers; and 26 percent said managers lead by example. “This is not surprising,” American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage said Jan. 21. “We continue to receive a number of complaints from all over the country about everything from the quality and safety of the uniforms, to basic worker dignity.” To see more, go to: www.afge.org.

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Air Force Proposes Bases for New Cyber HQ

Air Force officials on Jan. 21 announced they are considering six possible locations for the headquarters of the new 24th Air Force, which will focus on cyber-security. Those under consideration are: Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), La.; Lackland AFB, Texas; Langley AFB, Va.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Peterson AFB, Colo.; and Scott AFB, Ill., the Air Force said in a statement. In selecting a base from among the six candidates, Air Force officials said they will consider mission synergy—including proximity to other cyber operational missions and access to scientific and technical expertise and communication bandwidth capabilities. “In basing the 24th Air Force, we recognize the tremendous preparatory work several states have already done, and we intend to use much of that information, but the mission will ultimately define the final location,” said Brig. Gen. Mark O. Schissler, Air Force Cyber Operations director. Air Force officials said they intend to make a final base selection by June. To see more, go to: www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123132187.

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