As you know, over the past few months many areas of the
United States have been faced with serious crises as a result of devastation brought about by floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. The effects of these natural disasters can be severe, requiring long term recovery efforts such as those still underway in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast Region following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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It is my delight to announce the call for applications for the 2008 President's Quality Award (PQA) Program.
For twenty years, the PQA has recognized excellence in quality and productivity within the Federal Government. The award's character has reflected each Presidential administration's management values. This year, the PQA will continue to recognize those agencies that best implement the objectives of President George W. Bush's Management Agenda (PMA).
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During this Presidential election year, I would like to remind agency heads of the need to ensure all personnel actions remain free of political influence or other improprieties and meet all relevant civil service laws, rules, and regulations. All official personnel records should clearly document continued adherence to Federal merit principles and remain free of any prohibited personnel practices.
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The President has signed an Executive order to implement the January 2008 pay adjustments. (See Attachment 1.) The Executive order authorizes a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase for the statutory pay systems under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5303 and locality pay increases costing approximately 1.0 percent of payroll under 5 U.S.C. 5304, reflecting the overall average pay increase of 3.5 percent required by section 740 of Division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
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The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has completed the 2007 annual review of existing special rates authorized under 5 U.S.C. 5305. As a result, 248 special rate schedules will be increased in tandem with the 2.5 percent across-the-board General Schedule base pay increase effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2008 (January 6, 2008). The 248 special rate schedules cover approximately 47,000 employees.
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