Route Fifty

One State is Reforming Its Sex Offender Registry. Criminal Justice Advocates Aren’t Happy.

Michigan legislators passed legislation to revamp the sex offender registry, which courts have concluded is unconstitutional. Advocates say the new policies miss the mark.

Route Fifty

A Burnout Crisis Hits Government

COMMENTARY | A soon-to-be released survey reveals some surprising findings about local and state public sector employees’ struggles and how helping them feel connected to each other can reduce burnout.

Management

Nine Major Takeaways From the Omnibus and Coronavirus Relief Packages

Funding boosts and hiring pushes are coming for many federal agencies.

Nextgov

No Failures in Latest FITARA Scorecard But 5 Agencies Slip

In a first, every agency got an A on at least one metric. But a new column on telecom transition brought several agencies down.

Management

Transition Roundup: Top Democrat Questions Trump’s Records Preservation; McConnell Promises Votes on Biden’s Nominees 

Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Defense

Lockheed’s Proposed Aerojet Rocketdyne Purchase Sets Early M&A Test for Biden

The new administration will weigh in on a further consolidation of the U.S. defense industry.

Management

Viewpoint: Federal Workers Need to Know Their Anti-Gag Rights

Whistleblower rights supersede speech restrictions, and any gag orders that neglect to spell that out are illegal.

Management

It's Time to Rethink Employee Performance Management

The Trump administration’s plan to link layoffs to performance ratings is not credible because the ratings themselves are not credible.

Management

Why Retired Generals Rarely Lead the Pentagon

President-elect Joe Biden's intent to nominate a recently retired general to lead the Pentagon would require an exception to federal law.

Tech

GovExec Daily: What We Know About the Massive Hack

Nextgov's Frank Konkel joins the podcast to discuss the data breach affecting agencies and contractors.

Nextgov

Massive Hack Roundup: Attorney General Pins Intrusion on Russia

Here are the news and updates you may have missed.

Route Fifty

One-Month Eviction Moratorium, $25 Billion in Rental Aid in Covid Bill

Housing advocates applauded the inclusion of the emergency rental assistance and eviction moratorium extension in the federal relief package, but said the incoming Biden administration will have to do more.

Pay & Benefits

Spending Agreement Would Allow 1% Pay Raise, Fails to Ban Schedule F

Provision in the fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill would give feds until the end of next year to repay payroll taxes deferred by the Trump administration from September through December.

Oversight

Groups Request Reminder of Federal Employees’ Whistleblower Rights

They are concerned agency heads could be scaring employees away from disclosing wrongdoing.

Route Fifty

'A Lost Generation:’ Community Colleges Report Record Enrollment Declines

New data shows total enrollment decreased by more than 10% since last fall, with the most precipitous drop seen with first-year students.

Nextgov

VA Plans Poop Pilots to Detect COVID-19 Outbreaks at Nursing Homes

The Veterans Affairs Department will test wastewater for early indications of infection among residents, who can then be quarantined to limit the spread to others.

Management

Transition Roundup: Biden Says COVID Deal is ‘Just the Beginning,’ Barr Advises Next AG 

Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Defense

Trump Officials Deliver Plan to Split Up Cyber Command, NSA

An end to the “dual hat” arrangement has been debated for years — but the timing raises questions. The plan requires Milley's certification to move ahead.

Defense

Space Force Troops Get a Name: ‘Guardians’

VP Pence revealed the moniker for Trump’s oft-teased newest military service branch to stand alongside soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines.

Management

Planning a Holiday Dinner? Thank a Federal Food Inspector

The head of the Food Safety and Inspection Service explains how the agency has worked to support employees during the pandemic, so they can support you.