Senate Committee Joins House in Approving Expanded Telecommuting

In recent months, questions have been raised about the actions and work of inspectors general at the State and Commerce departments, NASA, the Smithsonian Institution and the Legal Services Corporation. Democrats have cited the controversies as a reason to update the 1978 law that authorizes inspectors general.

Stamps Linked to Inflation

The postal board of governors announced yesterday that future increases in postage rates will be capped at the rate of inflation.

Congress changed the rules for raising the price of stamps last year, but said the U.S. Postal Service could file one last rate case under a 1971 law if it wished. That system for setting mail prices has been faulted as costly and time-consuming.

The Postal Regulatory Commission recently completed new rules for setting mail prices, and Postmaster General John E. Potter yesterday thanked the commission for completing the rules eight months ahead of schedule.

Analysts believe the new rules will make for more predictable rate increases, and that will allow companies that are heavy users of mail to more easily plan their budgets.

Talk Shows

John Salamone, executive director of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, will be the guest on "FEDtalk" at 11 a.m. today on http://federalnewsradio.com and WFED radio (1050 AM).

Danny Werfel, acting controller of the office of federal financial management at the Office of Management and Budget, will be the guest on the IBM "Business of Government Hour" at 9 a.m. Saturday on WJFK radio (106.7 FM).

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.