Tech

Accelerated FAA Modernization Will Suffer Under Stopgap Funding, Says Agency Head

A full year continuing resolution would hamper needed tech upgrades, according to the FAA's top official.

Oversight

A Pandemic-Fueled Drop in FDA Inspections of Foreign Drug Plants

A series of recent deaths linked to eyedrops produced overseas shows just how seriously behind the FDA is.

Workforce

Public Servants Don't Feel Connected in the Workplace

Andrew Edelson joins the podcast to discuss the results of a new Eagle Hill survey.

Oversight

The Campaign Finance Agency’s Press Shop Can’t Confirm or Deny the Existence of Complaints Anymore

Critics say the change, approved by the FEC last week in a vote that was not entirely along party lines, raises concerns about transparency.

Tech

As Federal Emergency Declaration Expires, the Picture of the Pandemic Grows Fuzzier

"The pandemic gave federal officials expanded power to access crucial data about the spread of COVID-19, but that authority will change when the public health emergency sunsets in May. That, along with the end of popular COVID trackers, will make it harder for policymakers and the public to keep an eye on COVID and other threats.

Workforce

3 in 4 Americans Worry AI Will Take Their Jobs

A Forbes survey indicates Americans are growing more alarmed about artificial intelligence for a variety of reasons.

Oversight

The Low-Tech Side of Biden’s Push to Improve the ‘Life Experiences’ with Government

Agencies are approaching the White House’s mandate with an eye for getting important information and access to as many people as possible.

Pay & Benefits

Pay and Prestige For Civil Servants: The Historical Advantages—and Disadvantages—of Government Work

The advantages have “helped to recruit and keep some very good people in government work,” according to one academic.

Workforce

Biden Is Officially Running For Reelection. What Has He Done For Public Servants?

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the president's announcement.

Workforce

Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill That Would Cover IVF For Federal Employees

The legislation would require the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the world to cover assisted reproductive treatments and services.

Management

That Time NASA Blew Up a Rocket and People Called it a Success (No, They Didn’t)

The “failure is not an option” standard demanded of the space agency has long hampered its efforts.

Management

What Might a Second Biden Term Mean for Feds? Here’s a Look at The First

Revoking Schedule F, boosting diversity and equity, and restoring scientific integrity has been some of the Biden administration's accomplishments and goals.

Oversight

80 Is Different in 2023 Than in 1776 – but Even Back Then, a Grizzled Franklin Led Alongside a Young Hamilton

Americans have long nurtured mixed feelings about age and aged leaders. Yet during the country’s founding, a young America admired venerable old sages.

Management

The Federal Government Accidentally Burned down Their Houses, Then Made It Hard to Come Home

FEMA told survivors of the largest wildfire in N.M. history that it aimed to put temporary housing on their land. But because of its strict, slow bureaucracy, that has happened only twice.

Workforce

USERRA and Federal Employees

Employment attorney Allen Shoikhetbrod joins the podcast to discus recent news about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Workforce

Conservative Think Tanks Are Preparing a List of 20K Potential Political Appointees in Hopes of Reviving Schedule F

A coalition led by the Heritage Foundation has launched a massive recruitment effort that would grow the ranks of federal political appointees from 4,000 to 20,000 in the next Republican presidential administration.

Oversight

Health and Human Services Watchdog: We Need More Funding for Oversight 

The office touts its return on investment, but tells lawmakers that current funding levels don’t keep pace with investigative needs.