Workforce
Shrinking the Tax Gap Requires a Renewed IRS Workforce
Congress must give the agency statutory authority to develop and implement a new set of civil service rules if it is to hire and hold accountable employees with the necessary skills.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: A New Vaccine Rule For On-Site Federal Employees
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss how Biden's announcement will affect feds and contractors.
Employee Policy
DOD could face $4 billion in pandemic reimbursement payments for contractors
According to a GAO report, the Defense Department may have $4 billion in eligible reimbursements for contractors under the CARES Act.
Employee Policy
Education Dept. must address Trump-era violations
The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) has ordered a hearing on multiple charges of federal labor law violations brought against the Department of Education's management, all committed during the term of the previous administration.
Oversight
Social Security 'Overwhelmed' by Mail, Infuriating Customers Seeking Documents
With most employees teleworking during the pandemic, the watchdog faulted the agency for not having a system to track and return customers’ identification documents.
Nextgov
The White House Is Deciding Whether to Support a Bureau of Cyber Statistics
A key senator introduced a bill containing one of the more controversial recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Route Fifty
What One City Hopes to Learn by Pausing Use of Facial Recognition Technology
A ban in Baltimore would restrict the city from purchasing facial recognition technology and temporarily restrict use by city agencies, residents and businesses (but not the police).
Management
Bipartisan Deal Creates Special Hiring, Pay Authorities for New Agency to Launch Infrastructure Projects
Agency would mirror organizations within the departments of Defense and Energy.
Nextgov
Senators Introduce Bill to Help Agencies Counter Deepfakes and Deceptive Media
The proposal would create a Department of Homeland Security-led task force to pinpoint technologies useful to trace content back to inception.
Oversight
FBI Agent Used Photos of Young Female Support Staff in Undercover Sex Stings
The images, of staffers not certified to work on undercover investigations, potentially put the women in danger, IG says.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Funds Show Modest Gains in July
Only one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value last month.
Defense
First Afghan Interpreters Arrive in Virginia
More than 200 Afghans are expected to spend a week at Fort Lee before being resettled.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Rebuilding Trust in Government by Improving Digital Customer Service
Former GSA CIO Casey Coleman joins the podcast to discuss a new report about digital engagement and government.
Employee Policy
Some fed unions hesitant on WH vaccine policy
Unions offer mixed reactions to new CDC-spurred White House policy that puts more pressure on feds to get vaccinated.
Management
Afghanistan’s COVID-19 Response Falters as U.S. Troops Withdraw
The Taliban is expanding into new territories as the U.S. and NATO leave, complicating the country’s Covid-19 response.
Management
Here’s Why the CDC Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors even if You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19
The CDC guidance applies to areas with high coronavirus transmission rates – which on the day of the announcement covered 63% of U.S. counties.
Route Fifty
How the Infrastructure Proposal Would Fund Roads, Bridges and Public Transit
The proposal puts $150 billion in new funding toward surface transportation and transit, but won’t close the backlog in maintenance and capital costs.
Workforce
Many VA Employees Apprehensive About Vaccine Mandate as Department Begins Implementation
Some medical workers say they will quit or retire rather than comply with the new requirement.
Workforce
House Panel Advances Bill to Extend TSA Employees the Same Pay System and Workplace Protections as Other Feds
The Rights of the TSA Workforce Act would apply Title 5 protections and the General Schedule pay scale to employees at the Transportation Security Administration.
Nextgov