Nextgov
Mash Up Library of Congress Data, Maybe Win $5,000
The Library of Congress launched a new data competition searching for new ways to use legislative data sets from Congress.gov.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Trump's Condolence Calls
The president is involved in yet another controversy.
U.S. Senate Approves Tax-Related Amendment State and Local Groups Oppose
“This is a disappointment,” a lead National Governors Association staffer said of the measure, which could have implications for the state and local tax deduction.
Management
Postal Service Asks Employees to Volunteer to Relocate to Puerto Rico
The agency will not provide any travel or lodging reimbursements.
Pay & Benefits
Report: White House Officials Backed 2019 Pay Freeze, $300 Billion in Cuts to Employee Compensation
Memo leaked to liberal news site also proposes eliminating FERS defined benefit program and retiree health benefits for new hires.
Nextgov
GAO Denies Northrop Grumman Protest in $1 Billion DHS Cybersecurity Contract Fight
Northrop Grumman has been wrangling with contract winner Raytheon over the DOMino contract since 2015.
Medicaid Enrollment Growth Is Slowing, But State Spending Is on the Rise
A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of state Medicaid directors takes a close look at the fiscal outlook for the program.
Pay & Benefits
5 Things You Should Do to Prepare for Health Benefits Open Season
For many federal employees and retirees, this is a time of frustration and confusion.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Approves Budget Plan, Setting Up Fight Over Fed Benefit Cuts
The House version of the resolution includes $32 billion in cuts, likely to employee retirement and health insurance programs.
Management
Small Agency’s Employees Say They Felt Pressured to Report Improved Job Satisfaction
But leader of Chemical Safety Board says big uptick in Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey scores was the result of management improvement initiatives.
Nextgov
Mattis Opposes Splitting Defense CIO Duties
The defense secretary’s letter also objects to a requirement that the Defense Department notify other nations before responding to cyber threats.
Management
House Oversight Leaders Press Tardy Agencies to Reveal Their Travel Costs
Committee chairman threatens Agriculture and Justice with subpoenas.
Nextgov
Could the Senate’s Plan to Speed Up Bid Protests Backfire?
A shorter timeframe to review contracting disputes could put significant stress on the Government Accountability Office.
Management
Do People Like Government ‘Nudges’? Study Says: Yes
Government initiatives to prod people to make better decisions got a lot of attention after Richard Thaler won a Nobel in economics for his working on nudging.
Management
Managers Are Missing Out On The Most Important Part Of Personality Tests
What's most valuable isn't the test itself.
Management
Take 5: How Power Dynamics Shape Our Behavior
Power—or the lack of it—impacts everything from snack choices to economic growth.
Oversight
Play of the Day: 'The Apprentice' For Border Walls
The wall prototypes are showcased near the border and they look like reality show contestants.
Management
To Give Better Feedback, You Must Fully Understand the Agony of Receiving It
We talk a lot about how we need feedback and not enough about how we process it.
Nextgov