Route Fifty
McConnell’s State Bankruptcy Remarks Signal Growing Tension Over Federal Aid
The Senate majority leader is voicing reluctance about moving quickly to fork over more federal dollars to states as they deal with budget shocks from the coronavirus outbreak.
Route Fifty
In a Hawaii Sewage Case, Supreme Court Bolsters Protections Under Clean Water Act
Environmental activists expect the ruling will force a Maui County wastewater treatment plant to obtain a permit regulating its sewage discharge into groundwater.
Workforce
Senate Democrats Propose Creating Hundreds of Thousands of New National Service Jobs
Proposals would expand the public health workforces across federal agencies to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Management
OPM Reopens Feds’ Annual Giving Drive for Coronavirus Donations
Acting director says the federal workforce can lead by example in helping alleviate some of the strain on charities' resources.
Pay & Benefits
Democratic Lawmakers Want Hazard Pay, Union Protections in Next COVID-19 Relief Bill
Letter to House leadership supports extra compensation, weather and safety leave, and other rights and benefits for frontline federal workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nextgov
Defense is Embracing Robotic Process Automation But It’s Not Yet Scaling It
Bot security and varying cloud infrastructure could make it tough for the Pentagon to spread RPA tools.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Issues Guidance on Additional Paid Sick Leave for Feds During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The federal government’s human resources agency confirmed this week that most federal workers are eligible to take up to two additional weeks of paid sick leave this year related to COVID-19.
Management
The Challenge of Tracking COVID-19’s Stealthy Spread
New studies indicate just how difficult containment efforts are likely to be.
Workforce
Governors, Mayor Implore Trump Administration Not to Send D.C.-Area Feds Back to the Office Prematurely
Acting too soon would endanger residents, they say.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Massive Telework Expansion at EPA and USAID; Trump Seeks to Reopen National Parks
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Federal Spending on COVID-19 Doubles in Last 10 Days
The latest government spending data shows a major jump between April 13 and 23, up to $6.4 billion.
Defense
The Pentagon Will Use AI to Predict Panic Buying, COVID-19 Hotspots
The prototype can predict trends in supply and demand and infection down to the zip code.
Defense
Will the U.S. Navy Sink Iranian Fast Boats in the Gulf? Maybe, Maybe Not
It may be time to formalize how orders are passed from the White House to the military.
Nextgov
Critical Update: How the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Plans to Run ‘Better, Cheaper, Faster’ Tech
Chief Information Officer Jamie Holcombe and his team are stabilizing and modernizing IT to help meet growing demands in a changing marketplace.
Management
ICE Has Access to DACA Recipients’ Personal Information Despite Promises Suggesting Otherwise, Internal Emails Show
Trump promised that information from DACA applications would not be sent to deportation agents. But internal emails show that ICE can access databases where that information is kept — and DHS decided not to tell Congress.
Defense
GovExec Daily: How VA Is – and Isn't – Supporting Its Personnel During the Pandemic
Eric Katz joins the program to talk about the ways that Veterans Affairs employees feel management has backed them up while treating coronavirus patients.
Route Fifty
Some Local Officials Lash Out At State Restrictions to Combat Virus
Sheriffs and some Republican local officials in a few Democratic-led states are saying they won’t enforce governors’ orders, and at least one is vowing a challenge in court.
Management
Agencies Remind Employees to Remain Ethical During Pandemic
Think twice before accepting a gift from a grateful citizen or using your work computer for personal activities, agencies say.
Route Fifty