Pay & Benefits
Why You Should Strive for Average — With the TSP at Least
When it comes to your retirement investments, “average” can be extraordinary.
Nextgov
DHS, USCIS Want to Collect More Biometric Information from Immigrants
The Homeland Security Department will propose a rule change that would allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to collect voice, iris and facial recognition scans.
Management
White House Presses Agencies to Soften Rules for Pursuing Regulatory Violators
“The government should bear the burden of proving an alleged violation of law; the subject of enforcement should not bear the burden of proving compliance,” memo says.
Tech
Five Military Sites Chosen for Phase III Trial of COVID Vaccine Candidate
AstraZeneca is seeking 30,000 volunteers for the trial, which may lead to an effective vaccine by year’s end.
Tech
Pentagon, Defense Contractors Are Out Of Step On Tech Innovation, GAO Finds
The Pentagon wanted to fund ambitious research into future tech breakthroughs but contractors spend most of their money on safer bets, GAO has found.
Route Fifty
Local Governments Add Some Jobs in August, But State and Local Payrolls Still Way Down
State and local governments have about 1 million fewer employees than they did a year ago.
Management
Shortened Census Count Will Hurt Communities of Color
The census will likely count fewer Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, Asian Americans and Americans of Hispanic or Latino origin than there actually are.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Roadkill Decreases During Shutdowns
Route Fifty's Kate Queram joins the podcast to discuss animal-vehicle collisions in the pandemic period.
Management
The Government Is Failing to Notify Employees of COVID Cases in Their Buildings or Ensure Cleaning, IG Says
The approach is "threatening the health and safety of federal workers, contractors, building occupants and the public," lawmaker said.
Workforce
USDA's Office Reopening Plans Are Causing 'Uncertainty and Fear,' Employees Say
Lawmakers and workers want USDA to pause any efforts to bring employees back to offices.
Route Fifty
It Could Be Hard to Get Compensated for Injuries Related to the Coronavirus Vaccine
With drugmakers shielded from most liability in court and injury claims routed to a rarely-used federal compensation program, experts are raising concerns about whether there will be sufficient relief available for vaccine-related injuries.
Nextgov
Customs Deploying Biometric Tech at Ports Without Fully Addressing Privacy Requirements, GAO Finds
A new audit shows Customs and Border Protection isn’t providing enough transparency to travelers regarding facial recognition technology at ports.
Pay & Benefits
Weighing the Retirement Tradeoffs
Effective planning for your future requires making a series of key decisions.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Report Finds ‘Gross Inequity’ in Pandemic Contracts, White House to Redirect WHO Dues
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Route Fifty
A Data Tool That Could Help to Target Rental Assistance Programs
A federal order blocking evictions leaves questions about how people will pay back rent when it finally comes due. Rental assistance programs have limited dollars.
Oversight
The Trump Administration Is Backing Out of a $647 Million Ventilator Deal After ProPublica Investigated the Price
The government overpaid by hundreds of millions for Philips ventilators, says a House investigation spurred by ProPublica reporting. Now that deal is off and Congress is scrutinizing other coronavirus deals made by trade adviser Peter Navarro.
Oversight
U.S. Unemployment Data Fail to Capture COVID-19’s Full Impact – Here’s How to Fix It Fast
Slow, unreliable labor force data have consequences for out-of-work Americans and the economy.
Management
Too Many Americans Still Don’t Receive Acceptable Service from Federal Agencies
The government has long struggled with efforts to improve customer service; there are a few positive signs.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: How the Payroll Tax Change Affects Feds
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the ramifications of the executive order.
Management