Management
Federal permitting hampers climate goals and natural disaster mitigation, counties say
Officials, who are calling for reforms, say environmental regulations shouldn’t lead to yearslong waits to build transmission lines or impede their ability to respond to natural disasters.
Oversight
Understaffing and mismanagement contributed to hundreds of deaths in federal prisons
Deaths have increased as agency staff fail to identify suicidal risks and allow contraband into facilities, IG finds.
Management
Amid budget squeeze, FLRA panel regs encourage electronic documents filing
Less physical paper taken in by the board that settles bargaining-table disputes between unions and agencies will help streamline workloads as its parent agency reduces its office footprint due to budget woes.
Workforce
Navy leaders want more code-loving sailors at sea
One wants to take ad hoc data science efforts and fold them into a formal training cycle.
Management
The new FAFSA was supposed to be easier to use. Technical glitches have made it anything but
Marginalized students may have the most to lose as the Education Department’s rollout of the new college financial aid application has hit several bumps.
Tech
FTC cracks down on AI impersonation scammers
The Federal Trade Commission is looking to extend its authority to target fraudsters impersonating individuals in scams. The proposed rule covers the misuse of generative artificial intelligence and other technologies.
Management
White House launches federal spending inventory
The new online information service was mandated in 2010 legislation.
Management
County officials lobby for internet subsidies
The FCC is currently turning away hundreds of thousands seeking assistance. If Congress doesn’t soon approve more funding, rural and urban county officials warn, millions will be plunged into “digital darkness.”
Workforce
OPM’s 2024 equity goals aim to expand data-based approach
The federal government’s HR agency plans to expand the use of data to analyze recruitment barriers for underserved communities as well as outreach at minority-serving educational institutions in the coming year.
Management
Some DHS agencies are more likely to discipline employees than supervisors, GAO says
The watchdog said data gaps in the disciplinary adjudication process at four Homeland Security component agencies meant that they were unable to identify why rank-and-file employees were more likely than supervisors to face misconduct judgments.
Management
IRS chief details plan to combat ‘unprecedented and unrelenting political headwind’
No one cheers for the referees, commissioner says, but without them there is only “chaos.”
Pay & Benefits
Did you know this about the TSP?
Learn a little more about the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.
Management
Gold, silver and lithium mining on federal land doesn’t bring in any royalties to the US Treasury – because of an 1872 law
Hard rock minerals like gold, silver, copper and lithium on public lands belong to the American public, but under a 150-year-old law, the U.S. gives them away for free.
Tech
The Pentagon is notifying individuals affected by 2023 email data breach
The exposed contents were not secured with a password at the time of their compromise.
Pay & Benefits
OPM makes it easier for ex-military feds to access paid parental, medical leave
The tweak, which allows federal workers to count past military service toward the 12-month service requirement of parental and Family and Medical Leave Act leave, stems from a provision of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Management
DHS to slash operations, reshuffle workforce without additional funds, agency warns
The department becomes the latest in the Biden administration to sound the alarm over the impact of budget shortfalls.
Oversight
VA secretary says he ‘failed’ in recognizing office harassment allegations
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough candidly admitted fault during a House committee hearing for not discerning more quickly whistleblower complaints of sexual harassment within a department office.
Workforce
Catching Zs: 4 ways to tap the incoming wave of young workplace talent
COMMENTARY | Connecting with potential hires requires agencies to offer flexible, digital work arrangements, along with an opportunity to meaningfully shape their communities and their world.
Pay & Benefits
10 years on, OPM keeps its pay freeze in place for senior officials
With budget negotiations ongoing, OPM officials said that the pay rates for the vice president and other senior political officials will remain frozen until at least the expiration of the latest continuing resolution.
Management