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Yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced it will begin including a "plain language" summary in future decisions issued by the entire board.

The goal: offer a “jargon-free” decision summary without legal citation, statute or case law references for the public’s convenience, STB officials said in a prepared statement.

“You shouldn't need a law degree to follow the business of the STB,” said STB Chairman Daniel Elliott. “This is another effort to make the board's work more open and accessible to the public.”

The STB also announced it recently was ranked No. 1 among small federal agencies by the Partnership for Public Service in the 2010 “Best Places to Work” — the second-straight year the board attained the top ranking.

Among independent agencies with between 100 and 2,000 full-time employees, the STB achieved the highest overall index related to worker satisfaction and commitment. Agencies were ranked according to 10 workplace environment indices, including teamwork, effective leadership, training and development, and diversity support.

The top ranking is a testament to board employees, who “have created and nurtured a culture of collegiality in which innovation is treasured and rewarded,” said Elliott.