Management
OPM Proposes Making It Easier to Rehire Former Feds
Under a new plan from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies would be able to rehire former federal workers at a higher pay grade than their previous job, provided they were high performers.
Nextgov
Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report
A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.
Oversight
Watchdog: High Risk of Improper Payments with State Dept. Purchase Cards
In 2018, more than 2,250 department card holders made purchases totaling $109.5 million.
Route Fifty
What Stands Between Young People and Local Government Jobs?
COMMENTARY | Many millennials or members of Generation Z are interested in meaningful work that can help improve people’s lives, but they don’t necessarily see government jobs in that light.
Defense
Pentagon Remains Bullish on 3D Printing, Despite Regulatory ‘Slog’
Military officials want to put additive manufacturing to broader use, but barriers remain.
Defense
Space Force Is Go for Launch, But ‘Thousands’ of Decisions Remain
The 2020 defense authorization act ushers in the first new service branch in 72 years.
Management
How to Deal with Holiday Loneliness and Isolation
The holiday season "can bring up past difficult holidays, amplify challenges related to loneliness and disconnection, and just bring people down."
Nextgov
The Crazy Government Research Projects You Might've Missed in 2019
Self-aware artificial intelligence, biology-based computers and “smart” surveillance are just a few.
Route Fifty
Growing Number of Republican-Led States Say They Will Accept Refugees
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Watchdog group sues San Diego over smart street lights … Washington legislators subject to public record requests .... Washington attorney general sues to stop courthouse ICE arrests.
Route Fifty
Cities and States Look to Tap More Tax Revenue From Expensive Real Estate Sales
“It basically allows for luxury housing to pay for affordable housing,” said a Boston city council member describing a "transfer" tax proposal there.
Management
Trump Signs 2020 Spending Bills, Averting Midnight Shutdown
The $1.4 trillion measures boost funding for most agencies and provide a 3.1% pay raise to civilian feds.
Management
Lawmakers Accuse VA of Violating Bargaining Rules in Workforce Order Implementation
More than 70 House Democrats said the department must bargain with its union before it can implement President Trump’s controversial workforce executive orders.
Defense
Top U.S. General Defends Afghanistan War
CJCS Mark Milley denied that officials “lied” to the American public about the 18-year conflict.
Management
Senate Passes Bill to Ban VA From Signing Settlements With Doctors Fired for Medical Mistakes
A 2017 audit found VA was routinely burying mistakes made by its medical providers.
Route Fifty
One of the Largest U.S. Library Systems Just Eliminated Late Fees
The Los Angeles Public Library will eliminate fees for overdue items this spring, joining a growing number of library systems that have identified fines as barriers to access for low-income residents.
Oversight
State Dept. Employee and Spouse Indicted on Charges of Trafficking Counterfeit Handbags
The couple allegedly sold counterfeit handbags online for over two years using a government computer.
Management
How to Manage Your Workload So You have Time for the Unexpected
Hint: Don't start your day answering email.
Nextgov
U.S., Japan Sign International Statement on Quantum Cooperation
The move comes as both nations are making strategic investments to accelerate advancements across the quantum landscape.
Tech