Wednesday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: President Obama is asking Congress for $2 billion dollars to...

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

President Obama is asking Congress for $2 billion dollars to fight a possible, more potent form of swine flu. He wants the money included in a war funding bill. Even though much of the panic surrounding the flu has subsided, the President is asking for the money out of a quote “abundance of caution.” Health experts say it’s possible that the swine flu could return later this year in a more aggressive form. The total sum of the war funding bill is likely to top $100 billion dollars.

President Obama chooses a Republican to be the new Army Secretary. New York Congressman John McHugh is the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee. He’s also served as co-chair of the House Army Caucus and is a member of the board of visitors for West Point. If confirmed, the governor of New York would need to hold a special election to fill the congressman’s empty House seat. McHugh would replace current Army Secretary Pete Geren.

This week, the Senate takes up a bill that could mean significant changes to the Federal Employee Retirement System. It would let workers under FERS count unused sick leave toward their pensions. The measure would also let participants of the Thrift Savings Plan create a Roth 401(k) so the money they take out would be tax free. The provisions are part of a bill that would let the FDA regulate tobacco products. The House approved a similar bill in early April.

Recovery.gov is getting a facelift. That’s the site federal agencies use to report information on stimulus spending. Government Executive reports that the board tasked with running the site is looking for a contractor to redesign it. That company would be charged with making the site more user-friendly. The website is run by the Recovery Accountability and Transparancy (or RAT) Board. A formal request for proposals is expected in the coming weeks.

It may not be a screeching halt, but analysts say spending from government contracting will see a big slow-down in coming years. FederalTimes reports they’re predicting a 2-percent growth-rate after money from the stimulus bill dries up. That’s down from a 13-percent rise spurred by the Recovery Act. The congressional budget resolution passed in April permits $560-billion dollars in procurement spending next year. That’s $57-billion less than the Recovery Act’s $617-billion.

The EPA plans to use Microsoft’s Virtual Earth program to put geospatial information online. Federal Computer Week reports the agency is looking for a contractor who can provide a two-year enterprise license for the mapping software. And EPA has launched a reverse auction to start the bidding process.

Other Stories We’re Following

U.S. Releases Secret List of Nuclear Sites Accidentally (NYTimes)

FDA: Help us become more transparent (USAToday)

First economic espionage trial begins in US

US to retire South Korea-based U-2 spy planes

FDA reviewing decision on safety of BPA

States receiving funding to repair forest roads

7 tribes seeking federal recognition

National D-Day Memorial on brink of financial ruin

National parks plan 3 free summer weekends

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