Management

OMB Nominee Wants “High-Morale, High-Performance” Federal Workforce

Rep. Mick Mulvaney said he wants to figure out how to better reward top employees and deal with poor performers.

Management

No, the Trump Transition Is Not Far Behind That of Previous Presidents

Trump has moved 23 percent faster than Obama and Bush in filling cabinet, but lower-tier positions are lagging, analysis shows.

Tech

Why Is NASA Neglecting Venus?

The agency’s “follow the water” strategy risks creating a lost generation of scientists.

Route Fifty

State Lawmakers Push Anti-Protesting Bills; Calif. Gov. Urges Renewal of Cap-and-Trade Program

Also in our State and Local Daily Digest; Mo. and Va. broadband legislation; Philly mayor OKs pay-equity legislation; and Charlotte stadium plan ‘doesn’t smell right.’

Oversight

Ethics Office Chief Reportedly Never Received Trump Business Documents

Rep. Cummings says he is “more concerned than ever” after meeting with ethics director.

Management

The Top 10 Reasons People Are Denied a Security Clearance

Know what issues could cause problems in your own background investigation before you apply.

Defense

Trump's Air Force Nominee Could Bring Strong Voice to Capitol Hill

Who is Heather Wilson?

Pay & Benefits

Trump’s White House Cited a Nonexistent Reason for Freezing Federal Hiring

The "dramatic expansion" in US government employment targeted by Trump never actually happened.

Oversight

How Many of His 'Day One' Promises Did Trump Fulfill?

The president laid out 18 promises in a “Contract With the American Voter,” but he only managed to check off a handful by Monday.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Crowd Sizes and 'Alternative Facts'

Kellyanne Conway is here to refute the dishonest media.

Route Fifty

‘Zika Isn’t Gone, It’s Sleeping’

State and local governments will continue to confront a difficult and potentially costly public health challenge this year.

Nextgov

The Encryption Wars Will Return One Way or Another

House Homeland aide predicts another encryption standoff, urges tackling the issue before there’s a crisis.

Management

Here Are the Details of Trump’s Governmentwide Hiring Freeze

OPM and OMB will come up with an alternate plan for dealing with federal workforce attrition.

Nextgov

DHS IG Says Immigration System Could Grant Citizenship to National Security Threats

The inspector general made the urgent recommendation to stop the department from reactivating the system.

Management

How Will the Hiring Freeze Affect Diversity in Government?

The outgoing administration asked agencies to assess why Hispanic federal employees are underrepresented in the workforce, but the new hiring freeze might divert attention from diversity issues.

Management

House and Senate Democrats Pressure GSA on Trump Hotel Lease

Obama appointee departs without official guidance on possible conflicts of interest.

Route Fifty

ACA Repeal Threatens Maine's Rural Hospitals; RV Tax Evasion in Montana

Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Denver debuts connected neighborhood; Texas vs. county on immigration; Uber drivers sleeping in cars