Monday Morning Federal Newscast – February 14th

The Morning Federal Newscast is a daily compilation of the stories you hear Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Amy Morris discuss throughout the show each day. The Newscast is designed to give FederalNewsRadio.com users more information about the stories you hear on the air.

• Today is Budget day, and the President will send to Congress this morning his $3.73 trillion budget for FY 2012. The President is expected to concentrate cuts in the one-tenth of the budget that covers most domestic agencies, projecting $400 billion in savings from a five-year freeze in this area. Some programs would not just see spending frozen at 2010 spending levels but would be targeted for sizable cuts. Not known before the release is the future of the already announced two-year pay freeze and whether the administration wants to extend the freeze up to five years. The budget may also recommend or change the scheduled military pay raise. The numbers will be released at 10:30 this morning, including on the Government Printing Office’s website: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
• The budget is expected to save $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade by freezing many domestic programs for five years, trimming military spending and limiting tax deductions for the wealthy. The administration says its five-year freeze on discretionary spending will save $400 billion over the next decade with many programs slated for even bigger cuts. Published reports say the budget would cut the Pentagon’s spending plans over the next decade by $78 billion and slash weapons programs deemed unnecessary.
• The Energy Department is expecting hefty cuts on its research programs, from the new 2012 budget. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Friday that President Obama proposed to slash spending for hydrogen and fossil fuel research programs by almost 50 percent. The budget also suggests closing two national labs. Chu said the biggest changes include cutting the Office of Fossil Energy by 45 percent. Also expected to be eliminated – $3.6 billion worth of oil and gas subsidies next year and over $46 billion over the next 10 years.
• The Obama Administration is trying to meet Congress halfway in its 2012 budget proposal for NASA. It scales back money to reach low earth orbit with commercial space taxis and it restores some funding for long range develop of rockets to go to deep space. The Wall Street Journal reports the total request reaches $18.5 billion. NASA’s 2011 authorization has different priorities than its 2011 budget, causing the agency to waste money. The administration wants policy and budget to align in 2012.
• A report by the U.S. Postal Service inspector general reveals that USPS employees are wasting government money on personal charges. An agency watchdog found that 173 employees used their government travel cards to buy personal items and secure cash advances not related to official travel. The charges added up to over $300,000. GovExec reports that three employees bought airline tickets for family and friends while another purchased a computer and made mortgage payments with their card. USPS inspector general Patrick Donahoe recommended managers develop better procedures for verifying travel cards and tracking employee activity.
• The Small Business Administration finalizing the most comprehensive changes to its 8(a) small and disadvantaged business contracting program in more than a decade. SBA Administrator Karen Mills says the changes to the Business Development Program will guarantee that benefits go to intended recipients and prevent waste, fraud and abuse. Among the larger changes to the program include regulations that require tribally-owned firms in Alaska and Hawaii give benefits back to their communities. The rules will become effective on March 14th.

More news links

Obama, Biden to lunch with Republican leaders

Sen. Schumer says pilot safety regs being weakened

US says customs officer killed in Afghanistan

US starts Farsi Twitter account aimed at Iranians

US submariners learn to live without smokes

THIS AFTERNOON ON FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

Coming up today on The DorobekInsider:

** The Obama administration fiscal 2012 budget request is out today. Full coverage — analysts, what’s behind the numbers, and insights from market research firm Input on what to watch out for.

** And we’ll also talk about you money — an update on your Thirft Savings Plan with Tom Trubucco of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

Join Chris from 3 to 7 pm on 1500 AM or on your computer.

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