Tag Archives: federal travel

House Passes Bill Restricting Government Meetings, Travel

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Originally posted on Successful Meetings by Matt Alderton.

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday [11/18] voted overwhelmingly in favor -- 388 to 1 -- of H.R. 2061, otherwise known as the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA).

Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the bill is intended to increase transparency around government spending by increasing financial reporting requirements for federal agencies. It would expand the amount of data reported online at USASpending.gov, require federal inspectors general to regularly review spending data for accuracy, and mandate the creation of a website updating the public about activities to reduce waste, fraud and abuse in government spending.

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Area hotels prepare to accommodate new government per-diem rates

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Originally published by Abha Bhattarai on The Washington Post

The federal government adjusted its allowances for employee travel and conferences last week, sending area hotels scrambling to make adjustments before the new per diems take effect Oct. 1.

The most marked change, hotel managers say, is the elimination of a clause that currently allows employees to spend an extra 25 percent for conferences.

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Federal travel tab slashed $1 billion, largely in conference cuts

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Originally posted by TravelMole

Federal government travelers cut their spending by more than a billion dollars so far in 2013, largely by cutting down on conference spending, the Federal Times reported last week.

Travel-related charges to the SmartPay charge card program fell 17%, from $7.3 billion to about $6 billion -- and more than 40% from the $9.6 billion government workers spent on travel in fiscal 2011.

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GSA ups per diem rates for 2014, ends conference allowance

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Originally published by Jack Moore on Federal News Radio

After a two-year freeze, per diems for work-related federal travel are going up slightly, according to the General Services Administration.

The standard rate for lodging will increase from $77 to $83, while the standard rate for meals and incidental expenses will remain unchanged. The changes take effect at the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

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Government Saves on Federal Travel

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Originally posted by Kellie Lunney on Government Executive

Average air fares for federal travelers will be cheaper in fiscal 2014, the government announced.

The General Services Administration said on Friday that it negotiated and awarded new contracts for the fiscal 2014 City Pair Program to 10 U.S. air carriers, saving the government an estimated $2.2 billion. Average one-way plane tickets for feds flying domestic on government business will fall 4 percent in fiscal 2014 from current rates, while international fares are dropping 7 percent. Also, the program is increasing available routes by 25 percent to more than 6,300 destinations, and government travelers will benefit from 20 percent more non-stop flights to 1,887 routes, according to GSA.

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