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Smokey Bear is the most recognizable mascot employed by the government, according to a 2007 survey. He will make an appearance at the Mall.
Smokey Bear is the most recognizable mascot employed by the government, according to a 2007 survey. He will make an appearance at the Mall. (U.s. Forest Service)
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The committee's proposal to boost military pay will probably set off a debate on how much to increase federal employee salaries in 2009. In most years, Congress prefers to give an equal-percentage raise to both groups, known as "pay parity," as a way to recognize the contributions of the civil service and the military, especially personnel who work side by side in defense and intelligence agencies.

Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, yesterday called on Congress to adopt a pay parity policy for next year. "Anything less will only accelerate the loss of skilled, experienced and dedicated employees from a wide range of federal agencies," she said.

The Senate bill continues to waive a cap on pay for federal employees who work in support of U.S. Central Command operations, which include the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under the proposal, a federal employee may not earn more than the vice president in 2009. If salary, bonuses, overtime and special payments exceed that cap, the remainder may be rolled over to the following year. The vice president's salary for 2009 has not been set; the position currently pays $221,100.

The Armed Services Committee approved the raise late Wednesday as part of the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill. Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), the chairman, and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the ranking Republican on the panel, announced the bill's funding recommendations yesterday.

The House Armed Services Committee will start work next week on its version of the defense bill and hopes to have it ready for a committee debate by May 14.

Talk Shows

Jeanne Van Vlandren, executive director for public sector engagement at the Council for Excellence in Government, will be the guest on "FedTalk" at 11 a.m. today on FederalNewsRadio.com and WFED radio (1050 AM).

Paul R. Brubaker, the Transportation Department's administrator for research and innovative technology, will be the guest on the IBM "Business of Government Hour" at 9 a.m. tomorrow on WJFK radio (106.7 FM).

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


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