Former Postal Service vice president sentenced after inspectors uncovered lies

Former USPS vice president sentenced after inspectors uncovered lies

Snippet of Article: "...court records reveal, discovered Whitman’s resume and a security clearance form he filled out were riddled with lies within weeks of his March hiring. He was fired in June. Whitman didn’t have a degree from Southern Illinois, and he wasn’t the corporate genius that his resume proclaimed, investigators said in court papers. Shortly before he applied for the postal job, Whitman had been fired by another unidentified company for lying on his resume..."

Source: www.linns.com

Tax Bill: Ready for your tax increase middle-class? Tax Bill’s Estimated Effects In 2027

CHARTS: See How Much Of GOP Tax Cuts Will Go To The Middle Class

Snippet of Article: "...This would mean a tiny tax bump for many lower- and middle-class households — the average $50,000 to $75,000-earning household would have a tax bill that's $30 higher than today. The average household earning more than $1 million would get a cut of more than $23,000..."

Source: www.npr.org

Tax Bill’s Estimated Effects In 2027

The Federal Reserve is about to raise interest rates again — here's how it happens and why it matters

The Fed is about to raise interest rates again — here's how it happens and why it matters

Snippet of Article: "...what the Fed is doing right now is a bit unusual. "This is the first tightening cycle where they've been concerned about inflation being too low," said Alan Levenson, the chief economist at T. Rowe Price. The Fed's preferred measure of inflation last touched its 2% target in 2012, so it can't exactly argue that it is raising rates to fight inflation..."

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com

Federal Reserve

Spread the swamp? Trump administration wants to move government offices out of Washington

Snippet of Article: "...Dislodge arms of the federal government from Washington and reattach them in faraway places, spreading the wealth generated by these well-paid agency workforces and forcing senior bureaucrats to face the people they affect..."

Source: www.latimes.com

Political Magic: Disappearing Tiny Tax Cuts for the Middle Class, But Not for Corporate America or the Wealthy

Here's what's in the Senate Republican tax bill

Snippet of Article: "...benefits for middle- and low-income groups diminish or disappear afterward -- meaning the groups' after-tax incomes would drop on average -- due to their tax cuts expiring after 2025, the bill's use of slower inflation adjustments in the tax code..."

Source: cnn.com

Tax Rates, Tax Bill, Disappearing Tax Cuts,

First Lady Melania Trump Unveils Christmas at the White House 2017

Snippet of Article: “The President, Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People’s House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays. On behalf of my husband and Barron, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season.”

Source: The White House

Christmas 2017

Who is the Highest Paid ‘Federal Employee’ in America?

Snippet of Article: "...A recent article describes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) CEO Bill Johnson as “the highest paid federal employee in the country.” Pay Raise Breaks the Million Dollar Mark..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), CEO Bill Johnson,

Big Pharma in the House, Forget About Lower Drug and Medical Costs

Trump Picks Former Eli Lilly Drug Executive as Health Secretary

Snippet of Article: "...Trump has been highly critical of the industry that Azar comes from, saying that drug companies are “getting away with murder” and threatening to use the federal government’s buying power to bring down prices. However he’s taken no concrete action yet to do so..."

Source: www.bloomberg.com

Big Pharma, Medical Expenses, Destruction of Lower Middle-Class, Alex Azar,

The US's most secretive intelligence agency (NSA) was embarrassingly robbed and mocked by anonymous hackers

The US's most secretive intelligence agency was embarrassingly robbed and mocked by anonymous hackers

Snippet of Article: "... The group now posts cryptic, mocking messages pointed toward the NSA as it sells the cyberweapons, created at huge cost to US taxpayers, to any and all buyers, including US adversaries like North Korea and Russia. "It's a disaster on multiple levels," Jake Williams, a cybersecurity expert who formerly worked on the NSA's hacking group..."

Source: www.businessinsider.com

National Security Agency (NSA),

What color is your passport and how powerful is it?

Most Powerful Passport 2017

A passport is your open door to travel and business. Having the right passport opens doors that other passports cannot. Your U.S. passport isn’t as powerful as you think it is. However, Singapore now has 'most powerful passport in the world'. Passports come in a multitude of colors, as well as a multitude of restrictions as far as where you can travel. Where does your passport rank? Click here to see the Global Passport Power Rank.
Source: The Federal Newsgroup

Passports

2 percent federal retirement COLA set for January

Snippet of Article: "...Under FERS, an inflation adjustment isn’t paid until age 62, except for those who retired due to disability or from certain occupations that require earlier retirement. The average monthly civil service benefit under FERS is about $1,400, yielding an average increase, for those eligible, of $28. Those retired under FERS are eligible for Social Security benefits under standard rules and those receiving that benefit — which generally cannot begin earlier than age 62 — will see that payment boosted by 2 percent as well..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

CSRS vs FERS, 2018 Federal Retiree COLA, COLA,

Veterans Identification Card: Issued To Veterans Who Apply Starting In November

Actual, Physical Vet Cards Will Be Issued To Veterans Who Apply Starting In November

Snippet of Article: "...Veterans Identification Card will be available free of charge to any honorably discharged veteran who applies for one online via the ..."

Source: militaryvetnews.blogspot.com

Veterans Identification Card

Las Vegas shooting: The deadliest mass shooting in modern American history

Las Vegas shooting: At least 50 dead, more than 400 injured in massacre

Snippet of Article: "...suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, a resident of Mesquite, Nevada. Police initially sought...The shooting at the sold-out Route 91 Harvest festival was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. ..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

Stephen Paddock, Vegas Mass Shooting 2017, Mass Shooting,

Tax plan just got its first brutal review showing how it would benefit rich Americans but almost no one else

Trump's tax plan just got its first brutal review showing how it would benefit rich Americans but almost no one else

Snippet of Article: "...found that Americans among the top 1% of earners would see the bulk of the plan's benefits, while lower- and middle-class Americans...in later years, the middle class would shoulder more of the load of the tax plan..."

Source: www.businessinsider.com

Why The Tax Reform Crew May Target Your Retirement

Snippet of Article: "...At a minimum, legislators should do no additional harm to the retirement system in their quest for tax cuts. But it would be far better if Washington focused its political capital solving a real problem: Ensuring retirement security for all Americans..."

Source: www.forbes.com

Tax Reform vs Working Class Retirement, Retirement,

2018 pay raise for federal employees

Trump sets 2018 pay raise for federal employees

Snippet of Article: "...a pay raise effective Jan. 1, 2018. Most civilian federal employees will receive an average raise of..."

Source: federalnewsradio.com

Federal Employee Pay Raise 2018,

Trump Tax Plan: Rob the middle class while making corporations and the wealthy wealthier

Trump pitches tax reform to Main Street

Snippet of Article: "...Cutting the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 15% ...Middle class tax relief cutting the top tax rate from 39.6% to 35%... "

Source: www.usatoday.com

Trump Tax Plan,

More agencies investigated after Postal Service cited for workers' Clinton campaign aid

Republicans dig deeper after Postal Service cited for workers' Clinton campaign aid

Snippet of Article: "...wrongdoing at federal agencies in past election cycles, after learning the Postal Service violated the law by allowing employees to do union-funded work for Hillary Clinton’s campaign while on leave. The lawmakers blasted out letters on Monday to 10 other federal government agencies questioning their unpaid leave policy for union-related political work..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

Hatch Act, Crime, Hillary Clinton, USPS, union-related political work,

Should Federal Employees Invest in a Roth IRA?

Snippet of Article: "...there are some pros and cons to investing in a Roth IRA that are worth looking at. Thrift Savings Plan first, especially if you qualify for agency matching..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), TSP Contributions, Roth IRA,

Postal worker, 3 others charged in $100K money order scheme

Snippet of Article: "...charged with stealing a money order imprinting machine and more than 180 blank USPS money orders, then defrauding the postal service by ..."

Source: www.nj.com

Crime, Postal Service, money order imprinting machine,

FBI, U.S. Postal Police launch investigation at Seattle home

Snippet of Article: "...Neighbors said a young couple and their two young children just moved in eight months ago. “They had cameras all over. They even had cameras at the mailbox,” said Neighbor Shelley Pealver. “They take pictures of who's coming into mailbox, who's not. I thought that was strange..."

Source: komonews.com

House Recesses without Deciding on Proposed Retirement Benefit Cuts

Snippet of Article: "...suggested achieving that goal by increasing required contributions toward retirement benefits and eliminating the “special retirement supplement” paid to those under FERS who retire before age 62 and until that age when they can draw Social Security benefits..."

Source: www.fedweek.com

Federal Retirement,

Q&A for federal workers: Changes to paid leave

Snippet of Article: "...That “administrative leave” has been somewhat informal, and policies vary among agencies. Some have kept employees away from work but still paid for long periods as they consider taking disciplinary actions or during appeals. The rules would carry out a 2016..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Changes to paid leave

40K Buyout Proposed Government-wide

Snippet of Article: "...The administration has proposed increasing the maximum value of buyout payments to $40,000 government-wide from the $25,000 maximum that hasn’t risen since those incentives began in the mid-1990s. A move to raise the limit for all agencies was anticipated since last year..."

Source: www.fedweek.com

VSIP

2018 1.9 Percent Raise for Federal Employees Likely Won’t Be Blocked by Congress

1.9 Percent Raise for Feds Likely Won’t Be Blocked by Congress

Snippet of Article: "...The prospects of a 1.9 percent federal pay increase next January look good, based on Congress’s initial reaction. Or, more accurately, the lack of any reaction. Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told reporters in April that President Donald Trump would seek a 1.9 percent raise for federal workers next January..."

Source: www.bna.com

Federal Employee Pay Raise 2018,

9 Republicans now say they oppose proposed cuts to federal retirement

Snippet of Article: "...Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.), who often come down in support of federal employees, were among the nine who wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). But seven others, including Reps. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.) also signed the June 17 letter. “Our strongest objection is how the proposals break a promise to employees and retirees who have based career planning on longstanding promised benefit calculations,” members wrote. “They and their families don’t deserve to be treated in this cavalier manner..."

Source: federalnewsradio.com

Why are Wealthy Liberal Californians and New Yorkers Trying to Buy a Georgia Election?

Georgia race: Handel rips West Coast donors 'buying' seat

Snippet of Article: "...Ossoff has vastly outpaced Handel, with nearly $24 million to her $4.5 million – millions more was spent by outside groups. Most of Ossoff’s money has come from out of state, especially from states like California and New York..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

Why are the Wealthy Liberals Buying and Manipulating Out-of-State Local Elections?, Why is California and New York Trying to Buy a Georgia Election?

President Donald Trump "has no intention" of firing special counsel Robert Mueller contrary to false liberal media reports

White House says Trump won't fire Mueller

Snippet of Article: "...The White House says President Donald Trump "has no intention" to fire the special counsel investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election..."

Source: myfox28columbus.com

TSP-3 Form Designation of Beneficiary Just Updated

TSP-3 Form Designation of Beneficiary

Snippet of Article: "...If you are filing a new TSP-3, make sure that it has the date 5/2017 on it; all previous versions are obsolete and will not be accepted by the TSP. You can download and/or print copies of the new form from the “forms and publications” section of the TSP website https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tsp-3.pdf..."
Source: www.fedweek.com

TSP-3 Form, Designation of Beneficiary (TSP),

6 percent pay cut over next six years? 2018 Budget Reportedly Targets Federal Retirement Programs

2018 Budget Reportedly Targets Federal Retirement Programs

Snippet of Article: "...will require federal workers to contribute an additional percentage point to the Federal Employee Retirement System each year until they match the federal contribution, likely within five to six years. The total increase in cost to employees would be around 6 percent at the end of the phase-in period. Additionally, the government would base the value of employees’ retirement benefits on the average of their highest five years of earnings..."

Source: www.govexec.com

No-nonsense Sheriff David Clarke to serve as a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security

Sheriff David Clarke says he's accepted DHS job

Snippet of Article: "...Sheriff David Clarke of Milwaukee County, Wis., said Wednesday he has accepted a job in the Department of Homeland Security..."

Source: thehill.com

Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, David Clarke,

Postal employees’ pay raise in the works as union contract nears final approval

Snippet of Article: "...According to the tentative labor contract, letter carriers would receive a 1.2 percent pay raise that would retroactively start on Nov. 26, 2016, then receive a 1.3 percent pay raise that would take effect on Nov. 25 this year. Postal employees currently at Grade 2 of NALC’s letter carrier pay scale would receive a 2.1 percent pay raise, effective Nov. 24, 2018, while Grade 1 employees would move up to Grade 2..."

Source: federalnewsradio.com

NALC Contract,

Malware, described in leaked NSA documents, cripples computers worldwide

Snippet of Article: "...Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia were hit particularly hard, although in the United States, FedEx also reported falling prey to the malware. The attack was the latest in a growing menace of “ransomware,” in which hackers deliver files to computers that automatically encrypt their data, making it unusable — until a ransom is paid...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

ransomware, National Security Agency (NSA),

FERS Military Deposit: How to Use Military Service to Increase Your FERS Pension

How to Use Military Service to Increase Your FERS Pension

Snippet of Article: "...There’s a provision in FERS that allows you to make a deposit, or “buy back”, your active duty military service—and that time will count as creditable service for FERS retirement. Creditable service is important because it’s used to figure out when you can retire with a FERS pension AND how much your monthly pension will be..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

FERS Military Deposit

Electing Survivor Benefits if You Marry after Retiring

Snippet of Article: "...Under the Federal Employees Retirement System, you can elect either a full survivor benefit (50 percent of your unreduced annual basic benefit), or a partial survivor benefit..."

Source: government-employee-news.blogspot.com

survivor benefits

Trump Bump: Job gains rebound, unemployment drops to 4.4 percent

U.S. April job gains rebound, unemployment drops to 4.4 percent

Snippet of Article: "...U.S. job growth rebounded sharply in April and the unemployment rate dropped to a near 10-year low of 4.4 percent, signs of a tightening labor market that could seal the case for an interest rate increase next month despite moderate wage growth..."

Source: www.reuters.com

FBI translator married ISIS terrorist she was supposed to investigate

Snippet of Article: "...An FBI translator who was assigned to investigate a bloodthirsty ISIS terrorist wound up falling head-over-heels in love with the man — and married him instead, a report says..."

Source: nypost.com

White House to lift federal hiring freeze

Snippet of Article: "...It also created delays in the processing of Social Security checks, staff shortages at federal prisons, the closure of childcare facilities at military bases and fewer workers at the Food and Drug Administration to work on drug approvals. Mulvaney did not say how many vacancies in the federal government would be filled after the freeze is lifted..."

Source: thehill.com

Rice claim on Syria chemical weapons gets 'four Pinocchios'

Snippet of Article: "...Former Obama official Susan Rice’s claim just a few months ago that the Assad regime “voluntarily and verifiably” gave up its chemical weapons stockpile earned a full rebuke from a prominent fact-checker on Monday in the wake of last week’s chemical attack. The Washington Post fact-checker gave the former national security adviser a rating of “four Pinocchios” -- the worst rating on their truth scale..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

Detailed paper trail for Rice unmasking requests likely exists, according to controversial intel sharing document

Snippet of Article: "...An extensive and complex paper trail for requests to the National Security Agency about the identities of people in President Trump’s transition team in sensitive intelligence surveillance probably exists, including requests made by former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, according to information sharing procedures signed into law by the outgoing Obama Administration..."

Source: www.foxnews.com