Federal Daily - January 22, 2009

NTEU Applauds Napolitano Appointment

National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen Kelley applauded the selection of former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Napolitano was confirmed by the Senate Jan. 20. In a statement last week, Kelly said she hoped that Napolitano would address low DHS employee morale, as well as work to ensure that all department employees have collective bargaining rights throughout DHS—particularly at the Transportation Security Administration. The lack of union rights plays a role, Kelley said, in the continuing turnover rates that have plagued the department. Also, Kelley said she will continue to work for a more collaborative department. “It is critical for the nation that leaders at every level of this department, but particularly at the most senior levels, not only respect employees, but understand the key roles they play,” said Kelley. “NTEU looks forward to working with the incoming secretary to improve the DHS workplace.” To see more, go to: www.nteu.org/PressKits/PressRelease/PressRelease.aspx?ID=1364.

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White House Launches Revamped Web Site

The new administration has a revamped new White House Web site that features a blog which promises to offer a direct connection for citizens who want to voice their opinions to President Obama. The new site will “serve as a place for the president and his administration to connect with the rest of the nation and the world,” Macon Phillips, director of New Media for the White House, said in a Jan. 20 posting on the site. The Web site has a briefing room and a spot to sign up for an RSS feed, as well as e-mail updates. The site also will post all non-emergency legislation for five days, allowing the public to review and make comments on it before Obama signs it. The site also has a one-click link to a feedback form for those who want to e-mail their opinions. Phillips noted that the Web site will continue to grow. “Like the transition Web site and the campaign's (Web site) before that, this online community will continue to be a work in progress as we develop new features and content,” Phillips said. To see more, go to: www.whitehouse.gov/blog/change_has_come_to_whitehouse-gov.

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Senate Confirms Seven Obama Nominees

The Senate on Jan. 20 approved seven of President Obama’s cabinet-level appointees. They include Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The vote on Sen. Hillary Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State was postponed because of objections from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who wanted more financial information about former president Bill Clinton’s charitable foundation. Despite the delay, she is expected to be confirmed.  To see more, go to: www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and
_teasers/nom_confc.htm.

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