Federal Drive interviews – June 22

Rep. Jackie Speier talks about the need for TSA info sharing with mass transit hubs. The Postal Service's chief sustainability officer talks about how the ag...

This is the Federal Drive show blog. Here you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

Audio will be posted later today.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.)

If you’re taking a flight today, then you are probably aware of the stringent security measures being enforced at the airport by the Transportation Security Administration. But what about if you’re one of the millions of people — more than 700,000 in the Beltway area alone — who will take mass transit? Intelligence tells us that terrorists are targeting subways and buses as well. And now one lawmaker has submitted a bill that would reassign TSA agents to urban mass transit centers. Speier explains why she thinks it’s necessary.

Read more:

House bill extends TSA intel sharing to mass transit

Read the bill text


Thomas DayChief Sustainability Officer, U.S. Postal Service

We usually talk about the Postal Service being in the red, what with its revenue problems. But the agency is actually pretty green when it comes to the environment. It even made $24 million last year through recycling. High gas prices may be helping employees think more about the environment. Whatever it is, Day says the agency is harnessing their passion in lean green teams across the country.

Read more: See a presentation on USPS’ sustainability efforts


Brian FrielFederal Business Analyst, Bloomberg Government

Earlier this week, we took a look at Rosoboron Exports, an arm of the Russian government that is doing brisk business with the Pentagon. It’s controversial because Rosoboron also supplies attack helicopters to Syria. But it’s not the only foreign company earning millions by selling to the U.S. government. There are 30 foreign entities, including governments on Bloomberg Government’s list of top 200 government contractors. BGov Analyst Brian Friel compiled the rankings.

Read more: Study ranks which contractors are doing things right


Ed ZurndorferRegistered Employee Benefit Consultant

In this economy, it may be difficult for young, newly-hired federal employees to think about putting away a little something for their retirement. It seems like such a long way away. And yet financial experts say it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. Zurndorfer shares his top tips for new feds to have a good retirement.

Read more: Financial planning checklist for new federal employees


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