Tech
VA's health record 'reset' will extend into 2024
There's one deployment of the new, multibillion dollar EHR on the books for next April and officials expect the rollouts to pick up in the summer.
Management
Federal prisons chief insists to Senate panel there’s been ‘visible change’ in the system
Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters told lawmakers on Wednesday that she has visited more than 20 facilities, and has worked to address employee misconduct and “hold those who engage in misconduct accountable.”
Workforce
Deconstructing the administrative state: At what cost?
COMMENTARY | Americans should be frightened by the prospect of a return to the spoils system, argue two scholars.
Workforce
Telework approach defended by agency leaders amid Republican pressure
Federal HR officials said, contrary to GOP lawmakers’ concerns, agencies monitor employees’ productivity while working remotely and ensure workers are not paid the improper amount in locality pay.
Management
New, consolidated USPS facilities are operating smoothly, but not yet delivering on improved working conditions
The Postal Service opened its new facilities before bathrooms and break rooms were built.
Management
FEMA rolls out climate adaptation loans for small and overlooked communities
The federal disaster relief agency has taken heat for steering past resilience funds to whiter, wealthier areas.
Pay & Benefits
A Question of Survival
Two questions, actually, from readers about survivor benefits.
Management
FLRA’s contract management system lacked documents, OIG says
The agency that oversees labor-management relations for the federal government was missing key information from its acquisition files and previously “had no formal contract file management policy in place,” according to leadership.
Oversight
DHS faces protests over $450M small business contract
The protestors disagree with how the Homeland Security Department is looking to field this IT and professional services contract.
Pay & Benefits
Union warns at least one-third of federal wildland firefighters could walk if Congress walks off ‘pay cliff’
Officials with the National Federation of Federal Employees said Wednesday that competitors like Cal Fire and Pacific Gas and Electric are already looking to recruit federal firefighters fed up with their pay uncertainty.
Workforce
GOP presidential candidate promises ‘large-scale, mass layoffs’ across government
Republican hopeful pledges to eliminate 1.5M federal jobs in first term.
Defense
DOD lag on enacting business system recommendations may slow clean audit, GAO says
The Defense Department has still yet to fully implement 18 recommendations that the watchdog said could facilitate the decades-long pursuit of completing an enterprisewide audit.
Workforce
Senate confirms deputy secretary at VA
Tanya Bradsher takes over as the top official tasked with managing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ troubled electronic health record project.
Oversight
Pandemic unemployment fraud as high as $135B, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office's new estimate underscores the urgency of modernizing state-based unemployment insurance systems.
Pay & Benefits
Come again? Political scientist sees shutdown as 'likely'— and feds need to get ready
With days left until funding for the federal government expires, some political experts foresee not only a shutdown, but possibly a long one, with an interruption in pay likely
Workforce
EEOC: ‘Ban the box’ policies are effective at federal agencies, but the government needs to raise awareness
In instances where a federal job applicant had a criminal record, the background check process only ruled them out over past criminal conduct 2% of the time, but many may still see their past as a barrier to joining the federal workforce.
Management
USPS rejects regulator’s budget request, leaving watchdog to fear for its independence
The Postal Service has provided a small budget increase to its regulatory commission, but extends its feud with the watchdog by declining to provide the funds it says it needs to meet demands.
Defense
Budget delays could ‘slow roll’ Air Force’s digital infrastructure plans
In early 2024, the service plans to launch cloud-based command and control technologies in three undisclosed locations.
Oversight
Efforts grow to undercut prosecutors’ authority
COMMENTARY | Some Republican lawmakers in Georgia are looking to remove District Attorney Fani Willis, a Black Democrat representing a majority Black district, from office. The effort in Georgia is not happening in a silo.
Oversight