Monday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Major weapons systems on the chopping block: Defense Secretary Robert Gates unvieled his 2010 Pentagon budget yesterday. The $534-billion dollar spending plan would slash giant weapons programs, including the F-22 raptor jet. It would also scale back work on the Army’s future combat systems. The spending plan still faces Congressional approval.

Federal agencies will have to continue submitting weekly reports on stimulus spending. That word comes from the Office of Management and Budget. Originally, OMB had planned to move to monthly reporting in May, but the agency says weekly reports are still needed in order to keep up with demand for information on spending.

The White House is making it easier for you to delve into your boss’s financial life. They’ve put up an online form that you can use to request financial disclosure reports on senior White House staff. The reports are filed by political nominees and federal workers with a paygrade above GS-15. FederalComputerWeek reports that transparency advocates are hailing the move as long overdue.

The top person at the Veterans Health Administration has reportedly tendered his resignation. NextGov reports that Dr. Michael Kussman will step down early next month. In March, Kussman shined the spotlight on an ailing patient scheduling system. He said the project was near collapse, but VA officials tell NextGov that Kussman’s retirement was in the works long before this.

Extended hours for three Smithsonian museums. The national museums of American History, Air and Space and Natural History will all remain open through 7:30 until Labor Day. That’s an extra two hours every day. Museum officials say the move is designed to beef up revenue.

Other Stories We’re Watching:

E-mail delay highlights sluggish federal communication network (NextGov)

Patient Scheduling Debacle Takes Down VA Exec (NextGov)

VA Notifies 10,000 Vets About Exposure Threat (FederalDaily)

VA patient tests HIV-positive after clinic mistake

Pentagon to hire thousands of employees, cut contractors (GovExec)

Contracting Boom Could Fizzle Out (WashingtonPost)

FISA Court Gets New Chief Judge (WashingtonPost)

NIST ramps up work on standards for a Smart Grid (GCN)

Twelve amusing excuses for being late to work (CNN)

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