Route Fifty
Pandemic’s Uncertainties Hang Heavy Over Small City's Budget
Augusta, Maine has already resorted to layoffs and furloughs to slow spending. Looking ahead, there are still questions about what will happen with badly needed state aid and other revenues.
Management
Arbitrator Finds Trump Workforce Orders Violate Law
An independent arbitrator ruled that the president cannot reduce the scope of bargaining between an agency and a labor group “by fiat.”
Nextgov
Senate Still Divided on Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation
Though recent bills are similar, lawmakers have yet to resolve two polarizing issues: preemption and private right to action.
Management
White House Expands Crackdown on Certain Diversity and Inclusion Training
President Trump signed an executive order that covers federal agencies, contractors, grantees and the military.
Nextgov
Watchdog Highlights Need for Better Cyber Coordination Across Government
A pair of reports point to confusion about the State Department’s new cyber bureau and the vacuum left behind by the eliminated White House cyber coordinator position.
Management
Trump's DHS Secretary Nominee Defends Record as Senate Looks to End 17-Month Vacancy
Chad Wolf appears headed for confirmation along a party-line vote.
Route Fifty
One Officer Indicted in Breonna Taylor Case, But Not In Her Death
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Two Louisville police officers shot and wounded ... No evidence of widespread Covid-19 outbreaks in reopened schools ... California protects Joshua trees but allows solar companies to cut them down ... Colorado will furlough thousands of state employees, including the governor.
Route Fifty
Millions Raised to Pay off Debts so Floridians with Criminal Records Can Vote
The money, partially raised by Mike Bloomberg, will go towards paying off the court fines and fees of thousands of people with criminal records, allowing them to vote in the upcoming election.
Pay & Benefits
No Payroll Tax Deferral for Postal Workers, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Troops to Take Part in Early Detection Study; CDC Advisory Committee May Delay Vote on Vaccine Distribution
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Tech
How and When Will We Know that a COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe and Effective?
Several vaccines are in Phase 3 trials. So when will we know whether any of these will protect against COVID-19?
Management
HUD’s Irv Dennis On Applying Private Sector Experience to Improve Financial Practices
“The people at HUD are strong, smart and mission-driven,” the department’s CFO says.
Workforce
Millennials ‘Can’t Even’ Get Ahead — They’re Already Too Far Behind
Anne Helen Petersen’s new book "Can’t Even" interrogates the lies millennials were told about having it all.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: The Future of Pay and Benefits Under Trump or Biden
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss how the two major-party candidates would approach the federal workforce if elected.
Management
House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill Seeking to Avoid Shutdown Through Dec. 11
After last-minute negotiations, bill receives bipartisan support.
Route Fifty
Court Ruling Clears Way for Ranked-Choice Voting in Presidential Contest in Maine
The state would become the first to allow for the voting method in a presidential election.
Management
State Department Officials Vow Cultural Shift Toward Inclusion
Officials tasked with improving diversity told a House panel that they hope recent efforts to deploy unconscious bias training and conduct surveys of those leaving the department will help improve efforts to retain employees of color, women and members of the LGBTQ community.
Route Fifty
Predicting Coronavirus Outbreaks Using Google Searches for Gastrointestinal Problems
New research found that Google searches for symptoms associated with the coronavirus might be able to predict outbreaks before positive test results confirm them.
Management
Decision to Shorten Census Schedule Came From Outside the Census Bureau, IG Says
That decision is risking an incomplete and inaccurate count.
Workforce