WASHINGTON -- Federal government employees are mostly satisfied with their work, according to a survey recently released.

The survey takes into account the perceptions of more than 263,000 workers at 290 federal organizations. It is compiled by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan think tank devoted to promoting public sector careers, and American University's School of Public Affairs.

Over all, 65 percent of workers were satisfied with the federal government as an employer and would recommend it as a place to work, the survey said. Almost 79 percent were satisfied that their jobs match their agency's mission; 63 percent were pleased with their pay; and 61 percent were satisfied with training and development opportunities. Just 36 percent of workers think the government is giving them enough flexibility to work from home or telecommute as they try to raise families.

The primary factor in job satisfaction, however, remains effective leadership from senior agency bosses, the survey concluded.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California lawmakers have rejected a bill seeking to ban plastic shopping bags after a contentious debate over whether the state was going too far in trying to regulate personal choice.

The Democratic bill, which failed late Tuesday, would have been the first statewide ban, although a few California cities already prohibit their use.

Discouraging plastic bag use through fees or bans first gained traction outside of the U.S. in nations such as South Africa, Ireland, China and Bangladesh.

Supporters of the bill said the 19 billion plastic bags state residents use every year harm the environment and cost the state $25 million annually to collect and transport to landfills. It had been the subject of a furious lobbying campaign by the plastic bag manufacturing industry, which called it a job killer.

HAZLETON, Pa. -- Better drag that sofa on the porch indoors if you live in one northeastern Pennsylvania city.

The city of Hazleton has banned furniture designed for indoor use in exterior areas such as front or back porches.

Council members voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve the ordinance, which targets "interior-type furniture which would be adversely affected by the elements and susceptible to infestation by insects, rats or other vermin" from being placed outside a structure.

If such furniture is spotted outside a home or business, the owner will have 10 days to remove it or face being billed for the cost of removal.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, dipped into personal funds to repay the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation about $31,000 for scholarships she awarded to four relatives and two children of an aide, her office said Wednesday.

The restitution went some distance toward damage control after days of embarrassing revelations about nepotism and rules violations. But tax experts said the veteran Dallas lawmaker probably faces a 25 percent penalty on the value of the scholarships.

Records from the foundation show that Ms. Johnson awarded 23 scholarships to the six ineligible students from 2005 to 2009, including two grandsons and two great-nephews.

She told The Dallas Morning News last week that each award was worth $1,000 to $1,200.

-- Compiled from news services

Washington correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the "Pittsburgh On The Potomac" blog exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.