Route Fifty
State Medical Board Won't Let Doctor Practice After He Advised Against Masks
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | U.S. House approves federal marijuana legalization … Endangered tree species that grizzlies rely on could see new protections soon … Two out of five transit riders in Utah say they won’t return after the pandemic.
Route Fifty
Updated Building Codes Prevent Billions in Disaster Damages. Many Localities Don’t Have Them in Place.
Almost two-thirds of local governments haven’t adopted modern building codes.
Route Fifty
States Overpaid Millions in Unemployment and Now Demand People Pay It Back
States rushed to get unemployment benefits approved when the pandemic struck. Reviews are now identifying millions of dollars in overpayments that they want workers to repay.
Nextgov
Robotic Surgeries Are Changing the Game Inside One VA Facility
More than 60 robotics-boosted surgical procedures were performed since March—and the program will likely expand in the next year.
Management
Compromise Defense Policy Bill Includes Paid Parental Leave Fix, Allows Feds to Carry Over More Annual Leave
The latest version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act does not include House-passed measures blocking the Defense secretary from exempting Pentagon employees from collective bargaining.
Management
Biden Will Issue Mask Mandate for Federal Buildings
The president-elect will also encourage universal mask wearing for his first 100 days.
Management
Senators Raise Concerns Over Burrowing In, Other 'Midnight' Activities at VA
Rushed policies and hiring decisions "should be left to the incoming administration," lawmakers say.
Nextgov
Bipartisan Cadre of Lawmakers Call for Permanent Telehealth Expansion
Telehealth has proved vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than four dozen lawmakers want to see maximized moving forward.
Management
Viewpoint: Move to Politicize the Career Civil Service is an Insider Threat to the Country
Two former-high-ranking intelligence community officials issue a stark warning about President Trump’s order creating a new category of federal employees.
Management
Transition Roundup: Biden Asks Fauci to Stay; USAID Watchdog Probes Possible Records Violation
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
While Biden’s Cabinet Is Important, Watch the Sub-Cabinet
The skills and background needed for managerial positions are significantly different than those for policy positions.
Route Fifty
With New Funding Elusive, a Governor Turns to Planning to Address Flood Hazards
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf outlined a three-pronged initiative this week. “It’s the best we can do right now,” he said.
Route Fifty
Mayors Pessimistic About Cities' Prospects for Post-Covid Rebound
Concerns highlighted by the Menino Survey of Mayors include possible deep cuts to local education and the changing economic landscape for local businesses.
Route Fifty
Mayors and Governors Apologize for Violating Their Own Covid Suggestions
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Auditor finds Chicago has not been enforcing recycling laws … Health officials say vaccination cards will be issued to those who get Covid shots … Provo City Council votes to preserve a popular waterfall.
Workforce
Federal Meat Inspectors Decry Lack of Access to COVID-19 Tests, Working Through Exposures
“They don’t want to know,” one employee says of his agency's attitude toward coronavirus.
Management
Good Government Group Urges Feds to Lobby Congress Against Schedule F
In a rare move, the Partnership for Public Service asked the public to contact lawmakers to muster opposition to the Trump administration’s effort to politicize the federal civil service.
Oversight
OSC Finds ‘Substantial Likelihood’ of Wrongdoing at Global Media Agency
The ongoing investigation centers on CEO Michael Pack’s six-month tenure.
Workforce
How Dozens of Trump’s Political Appointees Will Stay in Government After Biden Takes Over
Documents show that officials appointed by Trump who’d otherwise lose their jobs under Biden have been approved for permanent positions in federal agencies.
Nextgov
Senate Passes Bill to Stop Scams and Fraud Around Student Debt Relief
It makes some of these sorts of malicious moves punishable by fines or prison.
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