Defense
Nothing’s ‘Irreversible,’ But the Pentagon’s New Bureaucracies Aim to Come Close
As budget hearing season gets underway, expect to hear a lot about "irreversible implementation" of changes toward great power competition.
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Federal Court Rules Against State Law Requiring Ex-Felons to Pay Fines and Fees Before Voting
The appeals court found the law created an unconstitutional penalty against people who can’t afford to pay certain financial obligations, but have served the rest of their sentences.
Management
Analysis: The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Bring Out the Worst in Trump
Virology isn’t politics.
Route Fifty
Poop, Screams and Divebombing Birds: How One City Plans to Deal With a Peacock Problem
The Miami City Commission will begin humanely trapping and relocating peacocks from one neighborhood after years of complaints from residents.
Management
Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Army Corps for Post-Harvey Flooding
U.S. Judge Loren A. Smith threw out a case brought by Houstonians whose properties flooded as a result of releases from Addicks and Barker dams.
Defense
Defense Policy Chief Ousted By White House
A Pentagon spokesman said he had “no information” that John Rood was fired for his role in Trump’s Ukraine scandal.
Management
Union Sues to Block a Plan That Would Make It Easier for Feds to Quit Paying Dues
Labor authority last week signaled that it will move ahead on the plan, although critics say the agency's legal justification doesn’t add up.
Oversight
Watchdog: EPA Needs to Improve Management of Environmental Program Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Documentation of progress was “frequently unreliable” and program information was “neither transparent nor accessible,” said the report.
Oversight
Lawmakers Threaten Subpoena for Disciplinary Info on Border Agents Posting Racist Facebook Messages
Committee accuses Customs and Border Protection of "stonewalling" after reports it bypassed punishment for most employees involved.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Proposes Pay, Bargaining Changes in 2021 Budget
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov
Border Patrol Needs Automated Sensors to Cover Watery Blindspots
Homeland Security is looking for a technical solution to give border agents situational awareness about illegal watercraft and the potential risks of interdiction.
Defense
Senator Denies Threatening to Make Defense Secretary's Life 'Hell' If He Cuts AFRICOM Troops
"No, I never said that," Graham said in a brief phone call with Defense One. "It was a good conversation."
Defense
A Military Perspective on Climate Change Could Bridge the Gap between Believers and Doubters
U.S. military leaders have to plan for operations all over the world, so they can't afford to ignore climate change or debate its causes.
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One Month Out, Watchdog Warns About Census IT and Cybersecurity Challenges
The Census Bureau this month switched the internet response system that respondents will use to complete the 2020 census questionnaire. The last-minute change worries the Government Accountability Office.
Nextgov
Indian Health Service CIO Gets Ready to Update One of Government’s Oldest Systems
As chief information officer of the Indian Health Service, Mitchell Thornbrugh will play a critical role as the agency updates from a system that first debuted in 1969.
Management
Labor Authority Moves Forward With Plan to Make It Easier for Feds to Cancel Union Dues
Lone Democrat on the labor-management relations board accuses his colleagues of using recent Supreme Court precedent as a pretext to enable union busting.
Management
Federal Employees' Settlement Agreements Can Expire, Court Rules
Agencies can cut off special accommodations for feds, including whistleblowers, after "a reasonable time."
Oversight
President Pardons Ex-GSA, OMB Official
David Safavian served nearly a year in prison for lying about his interactions with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Management
DHS to Waive Contracting Regulations to Speed Up Border Wall Construction
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.
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