Federal Daily - February 8, 2010
Feds Make Twice as Much? Really?
The new Republican senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, made waves recently when claimed on a TV show that feds make twice as much as workers in the private sector. The statement, made on the Jan. 31 edition of “This Week,” drew immediate barbs from groups representing federal employees.
PolitiFact.com, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Web operation run by the St. Petersburg Times newspaper in Florida, put that statement to the test. PolitiFact.com selects high-profile political claims made by government officials and other public figures, investigates the facts behind them, and generates a “Truth-O-Meter” reading.
As a fed, you already know the answer. But if you want to see what they found, click here: http://tinyurl.com/yzdsjfb.
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Free Tax Services Available for Servicemembers
Although the April 15 tax deadline is two months away, military servicemembers can start early—and get a break on tax preparation fees.
DoD on Feb. 4 reminded servicemembers that they can take advantage of the free electronic tax filing services offered through Military OneSource. The program is open to active duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers, regardless of activation status, as well as spouses, dependent children and family members standing in for a deployed servicemember.
Participants can e-file up to three state resident returns for each federal return, said Tommy T. Thomas, DoD deputy undersecretary for military community and family policy.
Users can access the H&R Block at Home program by going to Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.com and clicking on “Tax Filing Services.” However, they should make sure they are filing through Military OneSource—people who file through H&R Block directly may be charged for services, Thomas said. The program is set up for basic returns, so people who wish to upgrade to the premium program also may incur charges, he said.
For tax assistance, filers also can call a Military OneSource tax consultant from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, seven days a week, at 800-730-3802. Those with complicated tax returns can visit a legal assistance office on a military installation for more in-depth advice, Thomas said.
To see more, go to: www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123189124
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Senate Confirms Johnson as GSA Head
The Senate on Feb. 4 unanimously confirmed Martha N. Johnson as administrator of the General Services Administration. Johnson will become the first permanent GSA administrator in nearly two years. Johnson served as GSA Chief of Staff from 1996 to 2001, under then-administrator David Barram. Since 2007, Johnson has served as a vice president at Computer Sciences Corp.
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., welcomed the confirmation. “Given her experience as a former GSA chief of staff, Ms. Johnson knows the agency inside and out and is prepared to hit the ground running,” Lieberman said. “I am grateful that GSA will now have the stable leadership it needs.”
To see more, go to: http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Press.
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