Oversight
Everyone Hates the Emerging Budget Deal
One major sticking point for Democrats is a proposed increase in civilian feds' pension contributions.
Defense One
Spared from Hagel’s Cuts: Cyber, Asia-Pacific, Homeland Policy Jobs
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is cutting 200 jobs from his front office – but he made sure to protect several key policy positions in homeland, cyber and the Asia-Pacific. By Stephanie Gaskell
Management
Decision-Making: Just Get It Over With
The psychology of doing unpleasant tasks sooner, which really is better
Pay & Benefits
Retirement Claims Processed Nosedives in November
OPM barely makes a dent in the backlog, though progress remains ahead of schedule.
Oversight
House GOP Poised to Push Straight Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown
If budget talks fail, Republicans will approve a stopgap spending measure before recess that includes the sequester cuts.
Management
Ex-HR Chiefs: Some Federal Managers Just Can’t Manage
A trio of former OPM directors advocates for more accurate employee evaluations and a reassessment of federal compensation.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Will Be Better Informed About Storms This Winter
NWS seeks to improve predictions, expects ‘normal’ amount of snow.
Nextgov
For Some of Us, Recovery From War Is Its Own Hell
There’s an interesting debate going on in the comments on my Tuesday article.
Management
When Leadership Skills Trump Technical Skills
Subject matter experts promoted to executive posts have to tap a different skill set.
Management
IRS Reaches Electronic Filing Milestone
83 percent of individual tax returns were filed electronically in 2013.
Nextgov
Obamacare’s Next Step: Fixing Medicare and Medicaid Data Sharing
Medicare wants to standardize state Medicaid data.
Management
Nine-to-Fiver or Workaholic? Either Way, It’s Your Parents’ Fault
Researchers have found the how adolescents perceive their parent's work ethic is central to the development of their own work attitude.
Defense One
Here’s What the Army Thinks War Will Look Like in 2030
Top brass gathered in Washington, D.C., recently to review the Army’s latest war games. What does war look like in 2030? (Hint: it’s not that different than today). By Stephanie Gaskell
Nextgov
Technology Can Drive Federal Hiring Reform
Feds must leverage tech to improve the applicant experience, HR software exec says.
Management
White House Makes Few Friends in Raising Contractor Pay Cap
Union and industry decry mandatory change in reimbursement level -- for different reasons.
Management
Obama Orders Agencies to Use 20 Percent Green Power
The federal government will have until 2020 to get one-fifth of its electricity from renewable sources.
Nextgov
NASA Is Sending Basil to the Moon
The space agency is sending a few seedlings to live and prosper on the moon before we can.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Do-Nothing Congress Sets a Record
With only 55 pieces of legislation passed this year, the Hill has been at its most unproductive.
Management
4 Imperatives for Smart Savings That Boost Efficiency
Rethinking technology, process, organization and data.
Nextgov