Route Fifty

Fed Expands Lending Program to Include More Counties and Cities

New guidelines for the initiative lower the population threshold for local governments to qualify, and allow for short-term debt to be repaid over a lengthier 36-month timeframe.

Management

Federal Employee Union Proposes Preconditions to Returning to Government Work Sites

The American Federation of Government Employees last week called the Trump administration’s recently unveiled plans for “reopening” the federal government “premature and imprudent.”

Nextgov

Zoom or Not? NSA Offers Agencies Guidance for Choosing Videoconference Tools.

The agency weighs in on the questions federal employees and contractors should ask as they select collaboration platforms.

Oversight

IG Veteran Named Executive Director of Pandemic Oversight Committee 

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act established the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. 

Nextgov

Republican Lawmakers Propose Bill to Support Government COVID-19 Research Effort

The COVID Research Act includes several authorizations, including $50 million to the Energy Department.

Route Fifty

Canceled Fundraisers, Fewer Volunteers: Small Fire Departments Face Their Own Coronavirus Challenges

Staffing shortages, fundraising difficulties and a lack of personal protective equipment have forced rural and volunteer-driven fire departments to adapt quickly.

Defense

How the U.S. Military Could Help Fight the Coronavirus Outbreak

There is plenty the military could do to help protect public health, such as by helping with supply logistics and providing workers to do important tasks – including health care professionals.

Workforce

IRS Recalls 10,000 Employees to the Office, But Won't Provide Masks or Gloves

Move comes as tax filing deadline approaches and thousands have been home with pay but not working.

Workforce

Viewpoint: Save the Postal Service

Trump’s personal hostility has merged with long-standing conservative antipathy to endanger a vital civic institution.

Workforce

Lead with Empathy During the COVID-19 Crisis

The coronavirus pandemic is a stressful time for everyone. Here are some ways employers can help their employees through this crisis.

Management

GovExec Daily: How to Avoid Burnout in Employees

Eagle Hill Consulting CEO Melissa Jezior joins the podcast to explain how a manager can identify overwhelmed staff members during the pandemic.

Workforce

When Americans Go Back to Work, Things Won’t Be the Same

Americans will have to change how they do business to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Here's what it could look like.

Management

With New Cash Injection, Small Business Administration Faces Fresh Slate of Challenges

'They need to do a better job,' small business leader says as SBA receives hundreds of billions in new funding.

Route Fifty

State Web Portals Try to Connect New PPE Producers with Desperate Health Care Providers

Online portals are connecting hospitals short on personal protective equipment with local businesses making the items.

Nextgov

What the FCC's Ligado Decision Might Mean for the Future of Spectrum

Lawmakers' threats muffled by key federal entities turning to "technical" measures to mitigate any GPS interference.

Route Fifty

Senators Press White House to Up FEMA’s Cost-Share With States

They and others say that with the costs of responding to the coronavirus outbreak stacking up for states, the federal government should do more to help.

Pay & Benefits

USDA Resists Providing Extra Flexibilities During the Pandemic for Forest Service Employees with Children

U.S. Forest Service workers said they are burning through personal leave juggling telework and child care, but that their agency has declined to provide additional time off as others have done.

Oversight

House Approves Creation of a Select Panel to Oversee Pandemic-Related Spending and Response 

Critics have said the committee will be duplicative, but one transparency expert said that "overlapping oversight jurisdictions can be a good thing if managed correctly."