Management
Defense Policy Bill Includes Bipartisan Provision for Greater Transparency on Federal Spending
The bill will create a central inventory of spending information, which good government groups say is overdue.
Workforce
Court Affirms Senior Executives in Government Have Only Limited Appeal Rights
Court also issues another defeat to President Trump's signature civil service reform law.
Route Fifty
The Largest Wildlife Bridge in the U.S. Opens in San Antonio
Both people and animals will have a safe crossing over a six-lane highway in the Texas city.
Route Fifty
Survey: Covid Has Caused Over One-Quarter of K-12 Educators to Consider Leaving Jobs
The poll included responses from teachers and other school staff. Some said they considered leaves of absence, others career changes or early retirement.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccine Distribution Begins; Trump and Biden Plan Messaging Campaigns
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
The Pentagon Is Ill-Organized to Improve Its Use of Electromagnetic Spectrum, GAO Says
Old ways and means are quickly becoming obsolete — but spectrum issues remain everyone’s second job.
Management
As White House Steps Up Schedule F Implementation, ‘Lawmakers Don’t Get It’
Recent moves by OPM are stoking fear that the Trump administration is accelerating plans to politicize federal jobs as the window closes on Congress’ ability to block the move.
Nextgov
CISA Orders Federal Agencies to Turn Off SolarWinds Products
A critical flaw in software used throughout government was reportedly used to breach a major security company and at least two federal agencies.
Workforce
Workers Are Looking for Direction from Management – and Any Map Is Better Than No Map
Without some sense of direction, burned out employees simply can’t be reengaged via another virtual happy hour.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Workforce Management During a Transition
National Academy of Public Administration Fellow Jeffrey Neal joins the show to talk about personnel issues between administrations and at the beginning of a new admisnistration.
Management
What Know-It-Alls Don’t Know, or the Illusion of Competence
The problem is that when people are incompetent, not only do they reach wrong conclusions and make unfortunate choices, they also are robbed of the ability to realize their mistakes.
Management
‘I Want to Be Part of Making This Work:’ Marcia Fudge Talks About How She Plans to Lead HUD
The Ohio representative speaks with The 19th in her first interview since being nominated to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Route Fifty
Fire Official Urges Governors to Be Proactive on Hardening Homes Against Wildfire
Failing to do so, the official said, means “we're just building tomorrow’s problems.”
Route Fifty
‘Trigger Laws’ in Some States Would Ban Abortion Immediately If Roe is Overturned
The country already has a patchwork of different restrictions on abortion. How would that change in a post-Roe world?
Management
Tens of Thousands of Federal Workers Can Expect to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine This Week
More federal agencies unveil vaccine distribution plans.
Management
Acting State Dept. IG Leaves the Day After Report on Travel of Pompeo’s Wife Is Published
The IG office cited the Vacancies Act to explain the latest in a series of departures.
Tech
Scientists Suggest U.S. Embassies Were Hit With High-Power Microwaves – Here’s How The Weapons Work
High-power microwave weapons are useful for disabling electronics. They might also be behind the ailments suffered by US diplomats and CIA agents in Cuba and China.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employees to Get a Full Day Off on Christmas Eve
President Trump issues an executive order that breaks with recent precedent by granting vacation for all of Dec. 24, rather than a half-day.
Management
Trump Signs Stopgap Funding, Deferring Shutdown Threat for One Week
Many hurdles remain in avoiding a shutdown come Dec. 18.
Management