Route Fifty
Leaving Scooter Regulation to Local Government
A bill moving through the Georgia legislature would clarify that making the rules for electric scooters is the business of local governments.
Oversight
Watchdog Highlights Security Vulnerabilities at Federal Child Care Centers
IG says in some cases, a lack of funding stalled fixes that would have made facilities safer.
Management
Reducing Administrative Burden, aka ‘Death by a Thousand 10-Minute Tasks’
Since 1991, the federal government has imposed 110 new requirements on university research grant recipients.
Nextgov
The Army Wants Technology that Can See Through Walls—and Identify People on the Other Side
This sounds like science fiction—but for soldiers, it could soon be a reality.
Route Fifty
States Move to Protect Anesthetized Women from Non-Consensual Pelvic Exams
The controversial practice is condemned by major medical organizations, but still legal in most states.
Management
The Iraq War Has Cost the U.S. Nearly $2 Trillion
The Pentagon has spent more than $800 billion on military operations in Iraq. But that doesn't include money needed to care for veterans, rebuild the country or pay interest on war debt.
Workforce
U.S. Workplaces Are Nowhere Near Ready to Contain a Coronavirus Outbreak
Americans tend to work even when they are sick, in part because of a lack of paid sick leave.
Tech
The Pentagon Is Spending Millions on Hunter Drones With Nets
Shooting drones down over cities isn’t ideal. Nabbing them in midair is an intriguing alternative.
Management
Justice Roberts Rightly Refused to Out the Ukraine Whistleblower
Naming whistleblowers in private sector investigations is illegal – the same protections should apply to federal employees.
Route Fifty
Where in the World is Kansas City?
President Trump’s congratulatory message for the Kansas City Chiefs included a common mistake.
Workforce
Federal Employees Are on the Frontlines of the Fight Against the New Coronavirus
Agencies are taking special precautions to protect those workers, officials said Monday.
Nextgov
Presidential Advisers Push for National Network to Support Quantum and AI Advancement
As with the High Performance Computing initiative in the past, industry and academic advisers told the administration they need facilities and a network to get from bits to neurons and qubits.
Management
The White House Counsel Succumbs to Partisanship
During the process of impeachment, Pat Cipollone often appeared to be functioning as a member of the president’s political team.
Management
GSA Praised for Progress on Contracting Schedule Consolidation
Compared to a 2015 merger, “phase two [of the current process] far exceeds the expectations,” said one observer.
Route Fifty
The Cities Where Car Accidents Happen Most Often
Houston, Charlotte and Los Angeles had the most accidents in the country last year, according to data from a transportation nonprofit.
Route Fifty
House Lawmakers Propose $2.5 Billion Over Five Years for Bike, Pedestrian Projects
Their bill comes as infrastructure is getting renewed attention on Capitol Hill.
Management
Viewpoint: The Trump Administration Has Made the U.S. Less Ready for Infectious Disease Outbreaks like Coronavirus
The Trump administration has cut funding for infectious disease research and reduced high-level staffing for global health security, leaving the nation less prepared for major outbreaks.
Pay & Benefits
Most Federal Employee Retirement Funds Struggle to Start the Year
After a strong 2019, most portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended January in the red.
Defense
The One War Zone Trump Doesn’t Want to Leave
The president’s resistance to withdrawing from Iraq boils down to three of his main enemies: ISIS, Iran, and Obama.
Management