Route Fifty
Covid Caused Cities to Rework Rules for Restaurants. Which Changes Will Stick?
Over the past year, cities have taken action that’s ranged from streamlining permits for outdoor dining, to providing benches for restaurants to use for seating.
Management
Biden's VA Pick Says He Can 'Unstick Problems' Within the Bureaucracy
Denis McDonough pledges to continue the status quo on private sector health care and provide more resources for VA employees.
Management
Survey: 58% of Feds Said Trump Diversity Training Order was ‘Counterproductive’
A majority of respondents from minority groups reported that feeling misunderstood at work made it more difficult to perform their jobs.
Route Fifty
Baltimore is Latest City to Cap Delivery App Fees Paid by Restaurants
Other cities have enacted similar policies, meant to help restaurants struggling during the pandemic. At least one delivery app company has responded with a new customer surcharge.
Management
Biden Directs Justice Department Not to Renew Private Prisons Contracts
“Privately operated criminal detention facilities consistently underperform federal facilities with respect to correctional services, programs and resources,” said the executive order.
Management
Biden Signs Directive to Shield Federal Scientists From Political Interference
President also calls on agencies to overhaul their vehicle fleet.
Pay & Benefits
Billions Flow Out of TSP Due to COVID, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Biden Promises Vaccine Transparency with States and Localities; White House COVID Team Gives First Briefing
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
IRS Appoints Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer
The IRS announced its first senior leadership position under the Taxpayer First Act.
Defense
US Flies B-52 Bomber To Gulf In Show of Force Against Iran
“We were also thinking…'Would they try to test the U.S. military in the early days of the new administration?'”
Management
Gina Raimondo’s Focus as Commerce Secretary: Inequality, Jobs and Climate Change
Commerce secretary nominee Gina Raimondo, the governor of Rhode Island, said in her Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that she will focus on job creation with an eye on climate change and workers.
Management
The Regulator of Tomorrow
The challenge isn’t just how to regulate new technologies. Technology is changing the capabilities of regulators themselves in ways not previously imagined.
Tech
GovExec Daily: How the Government and Contractors Can Cooperate on IT Security
SAP National Security Services CEO Mark Testoni joins the podcast to discuss how agencies can more effectively use contracting to secure critical infrastructure.
Route Fifty
'We Can't Have Different Facts': Why Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Still Believes in Universal Truths
The Pennsylvania Democrat received national attention for his blunt takedowns of voter fraud claims in the wake of the November election. He's now pondering a U.S. Senate run.
Management
Union Leaders Report Slow Movement to Implement Biden Workforce Order
Agencies reportedly are waiting for guidance from their legal teams and OPM before taking action to repeal restrictions on collective bargaining, official time and other elements of the Trump administration’s workforce policies.
Nextgov
CIO Roundup: Here Are the Government’s Top Tech Chiefs So Far
Most agency chief information officers are career officials so it's steady ahead but vacancies left by appointees need to be filled.
Management
Biden Administration Has Four Nominees Confirmed So Far
There are many historic firsts for diversity with Biden’s nominations.
Management
USPS Drops Appeals but Pledges to Fight for DeJoy’s Reforms
Postmaster general digs in as Biden faces pressure to remove him.
Management
Why We Should Care About Politically Appointed Diplomats
As Biden’s leadership team takes shape, it’s a good time to examine the research about political versus career appointments.
Management