Nextgov
GSA Wants More Ideas To Stop Fake Commenters From Flooding Rulemaking Process
The General Services Administration took over management of the eRulemaking portal last year with a mandate to crack down on fraudulent commenting.
Route Fifty
States With Most Jobs Losses Due to Trade Gap With China Identified in New Report
All 50 states have seen jobs eroded as a result of the country’s growing trade deficit with China over the past 20 years, the research found.
Management
IRS Chief Acknowledges Budget Constraints, But Says He Is Confident the Agency Can Handle Tax Season
Two advantages over last year are that the agency is not recovering from a shutdown or implementing a new tax law, former commissioners note.
Route Fifty
In Two States, Debates Over the Ethics of Paid Surrogacy
Lawmakers in New York, one of only three states where paid surrogacy is illegal, are trying to repeal their ban. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, legislators say surrogacy has led to the commercialization of children and want to prohibit it.
Pay & Benefits
Things You May Not Know About Annual Pay and Benefits Increases
The differences between COLAs and salary hikes.
Management
2020 Democrats Are Already Giving Up on Congress
They know their grand progressive plans could stall out on Capitol Hill. So they’re embracing executive authority instead—just like the man they hope to defeat.
Defense
Now It's 64. Wounded Troop Tally from Iran Missile Strike Rises Again
Trump “understands the nature” of brain injuries, says Defense Secretary Esper after the president downplayed Americans’ wounds as not “serious.”
Workforce
Postal Workers Union Endorses Bernie Sanders
Labor group calls Sanders a champion of USPS employees who will fight to preserve the mailing agency.
Oversight
Questions Linger on How State Dept. Employees Will Carry Out New 'Birth Tourism' Policy
The rule "almost demands discrimination in order for it to be implemented," said an expert.
Management
Analysis: Coronavirus Is Coming—And Trump Isn’t Ready
In order to combat the disease, the president will have to trust the kind of government experts he has disdained and dismissed.
Management
The Evidence-Based Policy Revolution Waiting to Happen
Government decision makers need to know more than whether a program works. They also need to know whether it's cost-effective.
Management
Worried About Accidentally Harassing a Woman? Don’t Be.
The backlash has given way to a simmering male anxiety that an innocuous comment could lead to a sexual harassment accusation
Management
How Federal Agencies Are Responding to the New Coronavirus Outbreak
CDC and the White House are tapping $105 million for initial efforts while deploying employees around the country.
Management
House Panel Advances Bill Granting Full Rights to TSA Workers
Currently, employees at the Transportation Security Administration do not get annual raises along with workers on the General Schedule, and have significantly curtailed rights to collective bargaining and appealing adverse personnel actions.
Defense
Kenya Base ‘Surprisingly’ Undefended During Attack, U.S. Officials Say
The Jan. 5. attack by al-Shabaab killed three Americans came as the Pentagon considers a further drawdown of its African presence.
Route Fifty
An Invasive Species Hunt: Inside the 'Python Bowl'
The 10-day competition sent 750 snake hunters into the Florida Everglades, with the goal of removing as many Burmese pythons as possible.
Nextgov
House Panel Clears Bills to Give CISA Subpoena Power, Retain Leadership
The Homeland Security Department’s newest agency enjoys bipartisan support in shaky times.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Grant Civilian Feds a 3.5% Pay Raise in 2021, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
Two States Could Discourage Getting Rid of Native Mascots
Lawmakers in Utah and Idaho will consider measures that express support for Native mascots, urging schools to keep them.
Nextgov