Pay & Benefits
Feds, Which Benefits Do You Love?
OPM next week will send a survey to the government workforce on health, retirement and other benefits.
Nextgov
4 Government Tech Priorities That Need a Funding Boost Next Year
Getting the government’s security standards up to par will require significant investments.
Route Fifty
A Crime-Fighting Tattoo Database; St. Louis County’s New Angry Municipal Battle
Also: Deckhands needed to ease ‘silver tsunami’ in Puget Sound and Mississippi’s somewhat good news.
Management
The False Promise of Meritocracy
Managers who believe themselves to be fair and objective judges of ability often overlook women and minorities who are deserving of job offers and pay increases.
Oversight
Most House Members Want to End Email Spying. Why Hasn’t Their Bill Moved?
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte is wary of hamstringing government investigations.
Defense
Congress Eyes Changes to Visa-Waiver Travel Program
Lawmakers want to tighten the visa-waiver program to keep Islamic State militants out of the U.S.—and this time, they have the White House’s support.
Oversight
Congress Finally Has Its Long-Term Transportation Bill
A five-year bill offers some security, but no permanent solution to a funding mess.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Jeb Has Plenty of Non-Hillary Options
The Florida Republican recently said "anybody is better than Hillary Clinton."
Management
Starting Strong as a New Manager: 10 Reminders
Accountability is a two-way street. Your do must match your tell.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Want National Security Damage Assessment on OPM Hack
The House version of the 2016 Intelligence Authorization Act mandates a report on whether the hack disrupted overseas operations.
Route Fifty
Expired Federal Deduction for Sales Taxes Matters Most for States With No Income Tax
The deduction is expired and will not be available for people to claim on their 2015 tax returns unless Congress passes the tax extenders bill.
Management
Obama: Climate Action Is America’s Duty
As the House gears up vote against his climate agenda, Obama says America will act.
Management
Contractor Who Delivered Faulty Weapon Sights Pays $25M
Pentagon, Homeland Security and FBI took deliveries for seven years.
Nextgov
OPM Announces Official Launch of Self-Check Site for Hack Victims
Visitors can use the Pentagon-hosted website to check if their personal data was stolen in a massive breach of sensitive background investigation files.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies Spent $80M in 2014 Forcing Employees Not to Work
Lawmaker vows to reform administrative leave by forcing agencies to suspend or fire more workers.
Pay & Benefits
Bill Would Allow VA To Recoup Relocation Benefits
Under the legislation, the secretary could demand repayment from any employee for moving expenses paid by government.
Management
ISIS ‘a Serious Threat for Some Time to Come’
Obama also said Russia is unlikely to change its tactics in Syria in the near future.
Defense
U.S. to Send Special Forces to Iraq to Aid in Fight Against ISIS
Defense Secretary Ash Carter says they will assist rebels fighting the Islamic State and be in a position to carry out “unilateral” strikes in Syria.
Management
The Cost of Obama’s Monday Dinner in Paris Could Offset 400 Tons of Carbon
A group of twelve leaders and diplomats had a range of delicacies to choose when François Hollande took them to L’Ambroisie restaurant.
Management