Author Archive

Kellie Lunney

Senior Correspondent

Kellie Lunney
Kellie Lunney covers federal pay and benefits issues, the budget process and financial management. After starting her career in journalism at Government Executive in 2000, she returned in 2008 after four years at sister publication National Journal writing profiles of influential Washingtonians. In 2006, she received a fellowship at the Ohio State University through the Kiplinger Public Affairs in Journalism program, where she worked on a project that looked at rebuilding affordable housing in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. She has appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, NPR and Feature Story News, where she participated in a weekly radio roundtable on the 2008 presidential campaign. In the late 1990s, she worked at the Housing and Urban Development Department as a career employee. She is a graduate of Colgate University.
Policy

Defense Department Hiring Freeze Rules Coming Soon

Here are some of the civilian exemptions senators are demanding to Trump's federal freeze-out.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

Trump’s First Budget Could Be A Unique Mix of Severe Cuts and Increased Spending

New presidents typically unveil a broad budget plan in February, and a more detailed version in the spring.

  • Kellie Lunney
Threats

As Wars Demand Intel, Air Force Boosts Drone Pilot Bonuses

Secretary James hopes an extra $10,000 will ease the strain on careers and families.

  • Kellie Lunney
Ideas

Carter Proposes 'Huge' Pentagon Personnel System Overhaul

The defense secretary unveiled major proposals that would reform the military's 'up or out' promotion system and allow civilian recruiters to bypass the traditional federal hiring process.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Putting Civilians in US Troop Support Jobs Could Save Billions, Report Says

Converting 80,000 active-duty jobs to civilian positions could save as much as $5.7B per year, according to a new Congressional Budget Office analysis.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Obama Vetoes Bill Affecting Troop Pay and Benefits

The legislation includes a 1.3 percent pay raise in 2016 for service members and changes to the military retirement system.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Military Pay and Benefits in Limbo As Obama Weighs Veto

The defense bill includes a 1.3 percent pay raise for troops in 2016, an overhaul of the retirement system, and money for basic housing allowances.

  • Kellie Lunney
Threats

Troops Would Get Paid On Time During Shutdown Under Bill

The Pay Our Military Act proposed by Rep. Mike Coffman would ensure pay in the event of an appropriations lapse and expire at the end of 2016.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

Congress OKs Shifting $3 Billion To Bail Out Cash-Strapped VA

Without the fix, the department said it would have to close hospitals, furlough workers and issue a hiring freeze starting in August.

  • Kellie Lunney, Excellence in Government
Business

Pentagon Backs Major Changes to Retirement System

Defense Department leaders want, in part, to mandate participation in the 401(k)-type Thrift Savings Plan in the hopes it will save money and help retain top talent.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

House Passes Military-Retirement Overhaul

Its version of the 2016 defense authorization act would automatically enroll new troops in the Thrift Savings Plan.

  • Kellie Lunney
Featured eBooks
Future of the Army
The Future of the Air Force
Special Operations Technology 2020
Business

Veterans Sue the VA Over Access to Medical Records

Some veterans are upset they're having to waiting hundreds of days just to advance the process of applying for combat-related compensation.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Another Try at Curbing VA Bonuses Advances in the House

The new legislation would empower the secretary to block certain retirement benefits while capping bonuses for executives.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

White House Teases Its Support for Military Compensation Reform

President Obama signaled his support for changes to military pay and benefits, but told Congress he won't make a decision on what reforms he'll endorse until late April.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

Lawmaker Wants All VA Bonuses Halted Until Colorado Project Is Completed

A new bill from Colorado's Rep. Mike Coffman would halt all bonuses across the Veterans Affairs Deparment until a long-delayed, nearly $2 billion hospital is up and running.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

Better VA Accountability Won't Send Employees Running, Lawmaker Says

The Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said his new bill to crack down on senior VA executive misconduct won't cause an exodus of talent.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

House Passes Bill Allowing VA Secretary To Claw Back Bonuses

The measure gives the VA secretary yet another tool to punish employees committing misconduct.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Lawmakers Get Lost in the Math of Reforming Military Benefits

The business of reforming the military's compensation system got very confused very quickly during a Wednesday House Armed Services subcommittee hearing.

  • Kellie Lunney
Business

Lawmakers Seek Tighter Restrictions on VA Executives' Bonus Pay

A new bill caps the number of VA executives eligible for bonuses, and instructs leaders to switch jobs within the department at least once every five years.

  • Kellie Lunney
Policy

Senators Reintroduce Sick Leave Bill for Disabled Vets

The bill, which has bipartisan support, grants sick leave to first-year federal workers who are vets with a service-connected disability rating of at least 30 percent. By Kellie Lunney

  • Kellie Lunney