Management

New Bill Would Create a Conservation Job Corps Run By Interior and USDA

It would also create a multi-agency council to oversee the $55.8 billion program.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Make Last Ditch Push for Payroll Tax Deferral Opt-Out

Despite efforts, it appears unlikely the administration will reverse course on forcing federal workers to temporarily skip paying taxes that go toward Social Security.

Nextgov

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Hints Section 889 Supply Chain Waiver May Be Extended

The Defense Department’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord spoke briefly about Section 889 Part B implementation Wednesday.

Route Fifty

Shrinking State and Local Government Office Space

COMMENTARY | With states and local officials searching for ways to cut budgets, many are looking to reduce how much real estate they occupy.

Defense

Army Chief Denies Trump’s Claim That Generals Make War for Arms Makers

“We take this very, very seriously,” Gen. James McConville said in an interview with Defense One.

Defense

From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change

Gen. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.

Nextgov

IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies

The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: The Latest Deregulation Memo

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the August OMB memo on agencies soften rules for pursuing regulatory violators.

Route Fifty

New York May Order Colleges With Over 100 Virus Cases to Stop In-Person Classes

The new policy comes as colleges and universities across the U.S. are seeing coronavirus outbreaks.

Management

White House Moves to Redirect Funding for Some Diversity Training at Agencies

Citing unnamed “press reports,” OMB said some training conducted by agencies is “un-American” and sows division in the federal workforce.

Pay & Benefits

Payroll Tax Deferral Will Be Mandatory for Eligible Feds, Service Members

The Trump administration has ignored calls to allow federal employees to opt out of the planned deferral of Social Security taxes from lawmakers and federal employee groups.

Route Fifty

Lawmakers Hope to Allow School Districts—Not Governor—to Set Crowd Size for Sporting Events

Spectators are currently allowed at sporting events in Pennsylvania, but state limits on crowd sizes would make it difficult for many, if any, audience members to attend games. Proposed legislation aims to allow school districts to set their own limits.

Oversight

Democrats Request Probe of Alleged Hatch Act Violations at Republican Convention

“We are particularly concerned with the consequences of White House actions on career employees who may have felt pressured to help organize and put on these events,” they wrote.

Management

How the Government Can Drive Medical Innovation Amidst the Pandemic

Lessons from history make clear that the federal government can spur medical innovation in a crisis, including this pandemic. Providing certainty and clarity is critical.