Wednesday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Jane Norris and Ruben Gomez Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: Federal workplaces may soon sport a farmer&#...

Written by Jane Norris and Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Federal workplaces may soon sport a farmer’s Market, centralized child-care and a garden as part of a joint effort between the Office of Personnel Management and three Federal agencies. It’s an effort to improve employee morale and create a model work-life campus. 6,000 federal workers would participate at OPM, the Interior Department, GSA and the Federal reserve.

Improved X-ray machines coming to federal buildings: NextGov reports a company called Smiths Detection will install nearly 400 machines nationwide. They’re working under a contract awarded by Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service. That agency recently came under fire for gaping holes in its security procedures.

The secure diver’s license plan known as Real ID is being revamped. States have been complaining about the costs of the program enacted after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Homeland Security says the new plan will be called Pass ID. The agency says it would not gut security requirements of Real ID but it would reduce costs by about $2 Billion by modifying requirements to States.

The White House reverses a government policy on the use of union labor in federal construction projects. The move overturns an executive order under the second President Bush forcing agencies to stay neutral toward contractor labor agreements. President Obama says the agreements are necessary to prevent project delays.

House lawmakers are demanding to know why the Social Security Administration held a training retreat for 700 employees at the Arizona Biltmore resort. FederalTimes reports Ways and Means committee panels want to know why training was done in person in Phoenix incurring costs for travel, rooms and speakers when it could have been done by video conference.

Cybersecurity made more affordable: The General Services Administration has announced a blanket purchase agreement to help agencies protect their networks. The contracts were awarded to five vendors under GSA’s SmartBUY program. You can start ordering with GSA Advantage or at ebuy.gsa.gov.

Soon, there may be only one lender for student loans: The Federal Government House Education and Labor Committee is expected to introduce a new law today that would eliminate private lenders, reports the WallStreetJournal. Banks made about $56.7 billion last year on the student loan program, and claim they provide better service than the Government. Congressional Budget estimates that making the change will save taxpayers $87 Billion over ten years.

Auto dealers were hoping the Cash for Clunkers program will ramp up car sales. The program promises rebates up to $4,500 for people who trade in their old gas guzzlers and buy or lease a more fuel efficient car. The program, set to begin on July 1st is already delayed. The WallStreetJournal notes the government’s website on the program www.cars.gov now says that eligibility requirements should be available by July 24th.

The U.S. Postal Service is drafting a plan to reduce mail delivery to only 5 days a week, according to the FederalTimes. Congress and Labor Unions have strongly opposed the plan. The agency estimates cost savings between $1.5 billion to $3.5 billion per year from the move. Postal Service is struggling to close a $6 billion budget deficit and managers must trim 100 million work hours this year, on top of the 50 million they cut last year.

You’ll never miss another scintillating publication from the Government Printing Office: GPO has launched a new e-mail alert system to inform you when you can buy new documents. Other agencies can use it to announce their own publications for sale. You can subscribe at bookstore.gpo.gov.

Other Stories We’re Following

Tsunami warning after 7.8 quake off New Zealand

Lawsuit seeks to block ‘In God We Trust’ engraving

Interior secretary: Mining reform a top priority

Metro signaling system continues to malfunction

Man killed when car plunges into Grand Canyon (CNN)

NASA seeks undergrads to defy gravity (UPI)

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