Thursday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: Danger in the air at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commis...

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Danger in the air at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Washington Post reports that workers in the agency’s new headquarters were exposed to formaldahyde gas. A handful have complained of headaches, dizziness and breathing problems. The exact source hasn’t been pinpointed, but air-quality checks found levels well below federal standards.

Congressional Republicans have rolled out an alternative to President Barack Obama’s 2010 budget. The GOP version calls for a freeze on discretionary spending for everything but defense. The Pentagon would get an increase. The bill also includes tax reductions and credits, but it’s unlikely to gain any traction in Congress.

Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats are ready to adopt their own slightly pared-back version of the president’s budget. Both chambers of Congress are expected to pass nonbinding budget blueprints that would pave the way health care reform. A vote could happen today.

John Berry moves one step closer to becoming the director of the Office of Personnel Management. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee yesterday approved his nomination to head OPM by a unanimous voice vote. Berry’s nomination now goes to the full Senate, where he is expected to win easy approval.

President Barack Obama has nominated Roger Baker to be the top IT official at Veterans Affairs. Baker was CIO at the Commerce Department during part of the clinton administration. He was also a technology advisor to President Obama’s transition team. No word yet on when the Senate will start confirmation hearings.

The House has passed a bill that would give retiring workers in the Federal Employees Retirement System credit for unused sick leave. That would put them on par with colleagues in the Civil Service Retirement System. Both federal managers groups and unions are hailing the move. They say it would save money and boost morale.

Homeland Security has chosen Boeing to expand the Secure Border Initiative to the northern border. Federal Times reports that Boeing will build towers for video cameras near Detroit and Buffalo, New York. The cameras will help federal agents keep tabs on waterways and land borders. If all goes well, the project could be expanded to other areas along the U-S Canada border.

Other Stories We’re Watching:

Some Say New EEOC Headquarters Is Making Them Sick (WashingtonPost)

Obama names Baker to be VA’s CIO (FCW)

What Transparency Means to Feds (NextGov)

Bills call for cyber adviser, private network security regulations (NextGov)

Tech Insider: Kundra Ghostwrites Book (NextGov)

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