Route Fifty
A Plan to Expand Workers Comp Benefits to First Responders with PTSD
The Wisconsin Senate this week approved a bill that would extend benefits available to full-time law enforcement officers and firefighters, but not apply to volunteers or EMTs.
Pay & Benefits
Senators Look to Identify Tax Delinquent Feds
IRS hasn't compiled such a list in years, but previously used one to prioritize debt collection.
Tech
Who’s Afraid of the IRS? Not Facebook.
The social media behemoth is about to face off with the tax agency in a rare trial to capture billions that the IRS thinks Facebook owes. But onerous budget cuts have hamstrung the agency’s ability to bring the case.
Management
The GREAT Act: Scaling the Tower of Babel
A bewildering array of forms and data elements across multiple agency reporting systems needlessly complicates grants management. That’s about to change.
Defense
As Toll Mounts, Trump Downplays Injuries Suffered in Iranian Attack
The president's dismissive statements about the brain trauma suffered by U.S. troops at Al Assad may reflect a considered attempt to de-escalate – or not.
Nextgov
How the Pentagon’s JAIC Picks Its Artificial Intelligence-Driven Projects
The organization is looking for developed technology it can deploy right now.
Management
Donald and Ivanka Trump Were Involved in Inauguration’s Inflated Payments to Family Business, New Suit Says
“Members of the Trump family were aware of and involved in the negotiation of this unconscionable contract,” the District of Columbia’s attorney general wrote in the suit.
Route Fifty
Fighting Wildfire With Fire: New Study Looks at Barriers to ‘Prescribed’ Burns
Researchers say that millions of acres of California forest is in need of preventative measures to help lower wildfire risks.
Nextgov
Security Clearance Backlog Hits Long-Awaited ‘Steady State’
The backlog of background investigations has leveled off at a sustainable 200,000, according to lawmakers.
Management
White House Seeks to Revise Federal Grants Process to Reflect New Priorities
The changes would reduce the reporting burden on grant recipients, among other things.
Management
Labor Authority Seeks Comments on What Happens With Existing Union Contracts During Negotiations for New Ones
The Agriculture Department asked FLRA to clarify whether collective bargaining agreements that are renewed on a short-term basis while unions and management negotiate a new contract are subject to legal review by agency heads.
Nextgov
VA’s Artificial Intelligence Director Details AI Institute’s Early Efforts
The center laying the groundwork for public/private partnerships to accelerate budding projects.
Pay & Benefits
A Paycheck Foul-Up, and Changes to TSP Catch-Up Contributions
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Warren Pledges Major Overhaul of Federal Hiring and Ethics Laws
The Democratic presidential contender pledges to use executive branch experience to rebuild the civil service.
Route Fifty
Proposed Missouri Bill Targeting Children’s Books Could Land Librarians in Jail
A bill proposing parental review boards to identify “inappropriate” sexual material in children’s books would impose hefty fines—or even jail time—on librarians who don’t comply with their decisions.
Management
The No. 1 Obstacle to Great Workplace Culture
Cultures that are controlling or indifferent to people are often the culprit behind rising stress, job burnout and loneliness.
Nextgov
Treasury Wants Better Information on Financial Entities’ Cybersecurity Practices
A department official says expanded data collection powers would enable it to “advocate” for companies with other agencies.
Management
The IRS Decided to Get Tough Against Microsoft. Microsoft Got Tougher.
For years, the company has moved billions in profits to Puerto Rico to avoid taxes. When the IRS pushed it to pay, Microsoft protested that the agency wasn’t being nice. Then it aggressively fought back in court, lobbied Congress and changed the law.
Management
Pentagon Wants to Build One Satellite Per Week
Over the next two years, the Space Development Agency is looking to put dozens of satellites into orbit.
Management