Management
After Multiple Delays, OPM to Begin Fielding Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
The agency will ask all federal employees to respond to the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey across two six-week waves, meaning most results will not be available to agencies or for public viewing until 2021.
Nextgov
Managers Who Stay Connected to Remote Employees Could Reduce Insider Threats, State Official Says
Pandemic-related stress and isolation could push some employees over the edge.
Management
'Perfect Storm' Threatens 'Major Institutional Defeat' for the Census, Top Watchdog Says
The decennial count is ahead of schedule overall, but a condensed schedule and hiring shortfalls are creating significant risks.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Board Nominees Skeptical of China Investment, but Pledge Independence
All three of President Trump’s picks suggested that investing feds’ retirement money in Chinese companies could be too risky, but said they would base any decisions within their fiduciary responsibility to participants.
Oversight
House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings
Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review.
Pay & Benefits
You Get a Lot More Than a Retirement Benefit
Federal employees and retirees have a variety of insurance options to choose from, too.
Route Fifty
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Citizens to Sue the State if Climate Change Goals Aren’t Met
Lawmakers say that the bill “ensures accountability” for the government to meet carbon emission reduction goals in a timely manner. But Republican Gov. Phil Scott is skeptical of the litigation provision.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: FDA Senior Career Officials Assert Science is Guiding Pandemic Response; Trump Said ‘Perhaps’ He Misled the Public on Pandemic Severity
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Oversight
Congressional Subcommittees Will Investigate Fort Hood's Leadership After a String of Deaths
"Where appropriate, we intend to seek justice on behalf of those in uniform," the subcommittee chairs said while announcing their probe of the Texas Army base.
Nextgov
House Energy and Commerce Greenlights Bill to Explore AI, Blockchain Use for Consumer Safety
The proposed studies could pave the way for new legislation regulating the tech.
Route Fifty
Michigan Mulls Eliminating License Plate Registration Tags
The proposal would save the state roughly $500,000 in postage and printing costs, but the measure might require expensive technology investments.
Defense
DoD Explains How Contractors Will Get Reimbursed for COVID Expenses — If Congress Cuts a Check
Ellen Lord says the bill would come to $10 billion to $20 billion.
Management
Viewpoint: Diversity Training Isn’t ‘Anti-American Propaganda’; Trump’s Directive Is
The administration’s mandate to end such training could be summed up as “Don’t ask white people to think about race.”
Management
Americans Are Renouncing U.S. Citizenship in Record Numbers – but Maybe not for the Reasons You Think
Some 10,000 people are likely to give up their U.S. passport this year, way above average. Are they fleeing COVID-19? Nasty politics? Taxes? None of the above, says an expert on American citizenship.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Challenge of Balancing Evidence and Bold Action
MDRC's Dan Bloom joins the podcast to discuss how government can combine data-building and taking action.
Management
OPM Nominee Pledges ‘Nonpartisan’ Governance Despite Anti-Islam, Conspiracy Theorist Views
John Gibbs did not apologize for tweets disparaging Muslims or accusing leaders of the Democratic party of engaging in satanic rituals, but said he would not tolerate discrimination if confirmed.
Route Fifty
Key States Face Poll Worker Shortages, Congressional Report Warns
A report by Democrats on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis analyzed the election preparations of four states and warned that a failure to recruit enough poll workers will lead to long wait times on Election Day.
Nextgov
GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions
The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”
Route Fifty
Poll: Over Half of Households in America's Biggest Cities Dealing With Financial Difficulties
Budget problems, which have coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, are especially acute for Black and Latino residents.
Workforce