Route Fifty
Shrinking State and Local Government Office Space
COMMENTARY | With states and local officials searching for ways to cut budgets, many are looking to reduce how much real estate they occupy.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Lawmakers Ask HHS for Vaccine Distribution Plans; USAID Deactivates Pandemic Task Force
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Army Chief Denies Trump’s Claim That Generals Make War for Arms Makers
“We take this very, very seriously,” Gen. James McConville said in an interview with Defense One.
Defense
From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change
Gen. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.
Nextgov
IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies
The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Latest Deregulation Memo
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the August OMB memo on agencies soften rules for pursuing regulatory violators.
Route Fifty
New York May Order Colleges With Over 100 Virus Cases to Stop In-Person Classes
The new policy comes as colleges and universities across the U.S. are seeing coronavirus outbreaks.
Management
White House Moves to Redirect Funding for Some Diversity Training at Agencies
Citing unnamed “press reports,” OMB said some training conducted by agencies is “un-American” and sows division in the federal workforce.
Pay & Benefits
Payroll Tax Deferral Will Be Mandatory for Eligible Feds, Service Members
The Trump administration has ignored calls to allow federal employees to opt out of the planned deferral of Social Security taxes from lawmakers and federal employee groups.
Route Fifty
Lawmakers Hope to Allow School Districts—Not Governor—to Set Crowd Size for Sporting Events
Spectators are currently allowed at sporting events in Pennsylvania, but state limits on crowd sizes would make it difficult for many, if any, audience members to attend games. Proposed legislation aims to allow school districts to set their own limits.
Oversight
Democrats Request Probe of Alleged Hatch Act Violations at Republican Convention
“We are particularly concerned with the consequences of White House actions on career employees who may have felt pressured to help organize and put on these events,” they wrote.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdogs Report on Safeguards Against Fraud in TRICARE Payments, Contractor Reimbursements
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
Should You Ramp Up Your TSP Contributions or Pay Down Your Mortgage?
The answer can have a huge impact on your financial future.
Management
How the Government Can Drive Medical Innovation Amidst the Pandemic
Lessons from history make clear that the federal government can spur medical innovation in a crisis, including this pandemic. Providing certainty and clarity is critical.
Nextgov
Critical Update: NASA’s Big Plans For the Moon and Beyond
It’s a new era of spaceflight for America’s space agency.
Nextgov
House Lawmakers to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Advance Agencies’ Use of Electric Vehicles
Agency charge cards could soon be used for more than refueling gas-powered automobiles.
Management
Jerks Don’t Actually Get Ahead at Work
People with selfish, deceitful, and aggressive personality traits may not have an edge over generally nice people, a new study finds.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Safety as Organizations Bring Staff Back to the Office
Labor employment attorney John Ho joins the podcast to discuss how companies can bring employees back to the workplace in the age of the pandemic.
Route Fifty
California Wildfire Sparked by Gender Reveal at Park
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | People in hurricane-devastated Louisiana feel forgotten … Officers suspended in death of Rochester, New York man while in police custody … Nevada governor ponders allowing bigger religious gatherings.
Management