Nextgov
Congress Inches Closer to Creating a National Cloud for AI Research
Legislation launched in early June received new attention and support this week.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Military Cases Spike; July 4th Concerns Grow; Free Masks for Feds
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Route Fifty
State and Local Government Jobs Flat in June, But Employment Levels Still Low
Employment in the sector is down by about 1.5 million since the coronavirus hit.
Defense
We Don’t Have Enough Cash to Build New Nuclear Weapons, Says Air Force Chief
Nukes or conventional weapons, “the current budget does not allow you to do both,” says Gen. Dave Goldfein, suggesting Congress create a separate account.
Oversight
Analysis: Has the IRS Hit Bottom?
Every year, the IRS annual report is an opportunity to measure how effectively the U.S. government has sabotaged its own ability to enforce its tax laws. This year’s report signals historic lows for U.S. tax enforcement.
Tech
GovExec Daily: How Governments Can Use Contact Tracing in the Fight Against the Pandemic
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley joins the podcast to discuss why governments need to use technology to identify, isolate and track localized outbreaks.
Route Fifty
The Fight Continues Over Paying Enhanced Jobless Benefits Beyond July
Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would extend the $600-per-week unemployment supplement, but Republicans say the size of the extra payment discourages people from returning to work.
Route Fifty
State AG Recommends Data Reporting Mandate for Police Deadly Force Incidents
As it stands, most police agencies in Washington state are not reporting this type of information through a program the FBI launched last year.
Route Fifty
Libraries Begin Partial Reopening as Covid-19 Cases Surge
Most libraries are implementing phased reopening plans, beginning with contactless pickup of materials that undergo a quarantine period for safety.
Oversight
House Committee Investigates Whether Officials Misled Congress on OPM-GSA Merger
A recent watchdog group report cited notes from a phone call indicating the Trump administration was advised that the merger plan was illegal, an account that is at odds with what OPM officials testified before Congress last year.
Nextgov
OMB Official: We Need More Cross-Agency Collaboration Tools
Mass teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital government, including a lack of communication options for interagency collaboration.
Oversight
New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Of Agency Relocations
Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.
Management
Millions of Homeowners Who Need Flood Insurance Don’t Know It — Thanks to FEMA
It is FEMA’s job to warn homeowners about major flood risks, but its approach is notoriously limited. In Cook County alone, researchers found about six times as many properties in danger as FEMA estimated. Look up your address with a new tool.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Funds Continue Slow Climb from COVID-19 Trough, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Senate Passes Bill to Ban Payments to Dead People; Almost All Pentagon Personnel Could Return Within 6 Weeks
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Political Fight Over Russian Bounty on US Troops Appears to Warp Intel Debate
Democrats suspect the White House is trying to paint the assessment as less solid than it is.
Management
It’s Time for ‘Stakeholder Public Service’
A commitment to fairly serve all who have a stake in government—including employees—would serve the nation well.
Management
Immigration Judges Sue Justice Department Over Gag Rule
The Trump administration is in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments, judges say.
Management
To Find Success, Practice a Strategic Mindset
Experiments indicate that the learnable strategic mindset gets people where they want to go.
Oversight