Management

Saying ‘Thank You’ Matters

Few people are in government for the money; it’s critical to recognize those who go above and beyond.

Nextgov

GPO Employees Overwhelmingly Satisfied With Leadership, IT Support During COVID-19 Telework

Employees gave their agency very high marks but asked for clarity about essential onsite work and use of personal IT equipment.

Pay & Benefits

Retiree COLA Set at 1.3% Next Year, Prompting Calls for Change

Organization calls on Congress to shift the metric upon which annual cost of living adjustments for Social Security and federal retirement benefits are based from the general price of goods to one that takes into account spending by the elderly.

Route Fifty

Texas Can Limit Counties to a Single Ballot Drop-off Location, Appeals Court Rules

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that Texas can mandate only one drop-off location for absentee ballots in each county, reversing a lower court ruling on Gov. Greg Abbott's order earlier this month.

Nextgov

OMB Behind Schedule on Open Data Initiatives, GAO Says

The Office of Management and Budget missed the deadline for issuing governmentwide guidance for complying with the OPEN Government Data Act and is behind on reporting on agencies’ progress.

Management

The Administrative Presidency Meets Federalism: Hostile Takeovers in the Trump Era

With the Justice Department dominated by the White House, state attorneys general have taken on the role of defending federal law and executive branch discretion.

Route Fifty

The Draining of State Rainy Day Funds

COMMENTARY | At least 10 states have already tapped their emergency reserves, even as budget experts expect the worst revenue declines caused by the coronavirus pandemic to come in the months and years ahead.

Oversight

President Trump Can’t Use $3.6 Billion in Military Funds for Border Wall Construction, Federal Court Rules

The 2-1 decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes as $3.6 billion was slated for construction of about a dozen projects, including two projects in the Laredo and El Paso areas.

Oversight

There’s Nothing Unusual about Early Voting – It’s Been Done since the Founding of the Republic

This year is seeing a high number of absentee and mail-in ballots and voting in the period before Election Day -- but early voting periods are not new to the 2020 election.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: The Toll of Ineffective COVID-19 Protections at Federal Facilities

Christina Suthammanont joins the podcast to discuss the story of her husband's death after she believes he contracted the coronavirus from his workplace.

Route Fifty

'Grab and Go' Treats and Other Strategies Cities Are Suggesting to Save Halloween

Trick-or-treating is still happening, but with new restrictions or guidance, and most cities have canceled Halloween parades, festivals and haunted houses.

Route Fifty

Some States See Better Than Expected Revenues, But Budget Outlook Is Still Tough

Evaporating federal aid and uncertainty over what will happen next with the virus and the economic recovery are casting a long shadow over states’ finances.

Route Fifty

No More Rush Hour? A Look at the Pandemic’s Impact on Traffic

The average number of vehicle miles traveled was 16% lower in July than the previous year, and rush hour traffic is now more spread out over time, according to a new report.

Pay & Benefits

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional

Legislation requiring workers, including federal employees and military service members, to consent in writing to have their Social Security taxes deferred between now and the end of the year has the support of nearly 20 employee groups.

Management

Lawmaker Urges State to Ease Voting for Feds Overseas

The pandemic may disrupt normal procedures for federal employees voting from abroad, committee chairman warns.

Oversight

USDA Secretary Violated Hatch Act With August Speech, Watchdog Finds

Secretary Sonny Perdue needs to reimburse the taxpayers for costs associated with the speech, Office of Special Counsel says.

Workforce

Confronting Racism is Our American Duty

Any guidance on how employees can better understand and respect others is a sign of progress in a civilized society, not a threat to it, argues the leader of the National Treasury Employees Union.