Oversight
Republicans Like Paul Ryan Want to Stop Regulatory Agencies From Writing Rules or Doing Much of Anything
Regulations are often technical and wonky—but they make sure the water we drink is clean and that the jobs we perform are safe.
Management
How the Trump Administration Could Get a Better Return on a $650 Billion Federal Investment
Improving the grants management process.
Management
Groups Want Trump to Keep Secretary McDonald At VA
Support grows for former CEO and Army vet to continue his major management transformation at the department.
Route Fifty
Calif. Regulators vs. Uber's New S.F. Deployment; Baltimore Mayor’s Hand-Delivered Letter to Trump
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown’s request of Obama before leaving office; a new Trump-inspired civics lesson in Maine school; and casino troubles ahead in South Bend.
Management
What the State Department Can Teach Agencies About Preparing New Appointees for the Job
The goal is to set people up for success.
Tech
Trump’s Tweets: Will They Go in the National Archives?
Agency clarifies that transition team documents are not federal records.
Management
Lawmakers: GSA Found Trump Will Breach His Hotel Lease, Absent Divestment
The president-elect must divest himself of all managerial control and ownership interest before Jan. 20, GSA official reportedly told Capitol Hill Democratic staff.
Management
Will Rick Perry Promote Science at the Department of Energy?
The former Texas governor has questioned the scientific consensus on climate change and once forgot the name of the agency when listing those he wanted to eliminate.
Oversight
What Obama Can Do Before He Leaves Office
While this isn’t a particularly large period of time for him to achieve monumental things, it’s a window wide enough to tie up loose ends.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Does Trump Want Kanye West in His Cabinet?
Probably not, but they did meet at Trump Tower on Tuesday.
Employee Policy
OPM issues weather reminder
Tis the season for unpredictable, potentially dangerous winter weather, so the Office of Personnel Management is reminding agencies of its weather-related dismissal and telework policies.
Oversight
Government Ethics Office Now Says Trump’s Business Plans Fall Short
OGE backtracks on previous praise of the president-elect's plans.
Defense
Pentagon Watchdog’s Handling of Whistleblowers Under GAO Review
Whistleblower advocates applaud requirement for expanded probe in Defense bill.
Tech
Obama Administration Urges Trump to Continue Progress on Crowdsourcing
Federal crowdsourcing community started with five federal employee members, and now includes 300 from 59 different organizations.
Route Fifty
Data Gaps Limit EPA Findings on How Fracking Might Affect U.S. Drinking Water
The agency’s conclusions in a five-year study were knocked by a leading oil and gas industry group and praised by environmental advocates.
Route Fifty
Trump’s Infrastructure Ambitions Could Be a Boon for Slow SLED Purchasing
But any new policies will take several quarters to reverberate in state and local agencies’ procurement.
Management
'Mindfulness' Is Not a Life Hack
You have reasons to be unhappy. Mindfulness training programs are a band-aid that mask bad circumstances, says Ruth Whippman.
Tech
How Will the Public Learn About Cyberattacks Under President Trump?
Unlike his predecessor, the president-elect doesn’t seem to trust the intelligence community to investigate state-sponsored hackers.
Management
Boeing to Move Defense Headquarters from St. Louis to DC
The move is the latest in the company’s year of restructuring, which has brought in a host of new leaders.
Management