Route Fifty
Columbus Tops 6 Other Finalists to Win USDOT’s ‘Smart City Challenge’
With additional local investment, $140 million is now committed to the winning plan submitted by Ohio’s capital, but the other finalist cities will be seeing more federal and private assistance to pursue their visions, too.
Management
Senior Executive Service Faces ‘Pivotal Moment’ on Cusp of Next Administration
Report details some agencies’ efforts to infuse new life into the frail, aging elite career corps.
Oversight
House Passes Bill to Beef Up Inspector General Powers
Watchdogs would get long-sought subpoena power over certain agency witnesses.
Oversight
Perceptions of Discrimination Still Prevalent at New Financial Regulatory Agency
CFPB has taken steps to improve, but report finds it has not solved all its issues yet.
Nextgov
FirstNet CEO: ‘$7 Billion Doesn’t Go As Far As It Used To’
During a Senate hearing, lawmakers pushed FirstNet experts to predict whether the broadband network would be deployed on schedule.
Pay & Benefits
Defense Rolls Out Phased Retirement For Civilian Employees
The decision by the government’s largest department could prod other agencies into offering the nearly four-year-old benefit to eligible workers.
Management
NASA Finds That the Earth Has a New 'Mini Moon'
The quasi-satellite technically orbits around the sun but dances around the earth in the process.
Management
The Commercial Drone Industry is Finally Governed by Real Rules
The FAA has spoken, but not everyone will be happy.
Route Fifty
State Spending and Revenues Are Finally Reaching Pre-Recession Levels Again
But arriving at that threshold has taken “an unusually long time.” And progress varies state-to-state.
Oversight
House Passes Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization With Whistleblower Protections
Agency-backed bill would help whistleblowers by streamlining document search.
Management
Democrats Fight Back on Gun Control
The Obama administration offered a withering attack on the senators who voted down a series of measures aimed at tightening regulations on firearms.
Management
If Employees Aren't Engaged, Leaders Need to Take a Hard Look at Their Own Actions
Executives and senior managers are ultimately accountable for workforce morale and productivity.
Nextgov
Senate Identity Theft Bill Tells VA to Stop Using Social Security Numbers
Under the legislation, VA would have phase out the use of Social Security numbers in its IT systems within five years.
Route Fifty
When Will N.Y.C.’s New 2nd Ave. Subway Open?; 109-Page Report on County’s Mystery Urine Puddle
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: California’s last nuclear plant to close; R.I. governor vetoes revenge porn bill; and mapping Iowa City’s beer caves.
Management
Suspensions and Debarments of Misbehaving Contractors Drop
Annual report to Congress on contractor discipline stresses administrative alternatives.
Defense
Is Long-Term Immigration Detention Illegal?
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether detained migrants can be held for longer than six months without a bail hearing.
Defense
Clinton’s Likely Defense Secretary Wants More U.S. Troops Fighting ISIS and Assad
If the cards fall where many think they will, 2017 could be the year of the no-bomb zone.
Oversight
Is Trump’s Presidential Run Nothing More Than a 'Scampaign?'
The Trump campaign paid nearly $430,000 to a club in his own Palm Beach home.
Management