Management
The IRS Now Audits Poor Americans at About the Same Rate as the Top 1%
As the agency’s ability to audit the rich crumbles, its scrutiny of the poor has held steady in recent years. Meanwhile, a new study shows that audits of poor taxpayers make them far less likely to claim credits they might be entitled to.
Route Fifty
To Curb Trashcan Clutter, a City Will Try Stowing Waste Underground
Raleigh, North Carolina is looking to improve on “the old school model” it uses to handle waste from downtown businesses.
Route Fifty
Lawmakers Approve Two-Week Flood Insurance Extension
Congress is under pressure to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program amid cost and coverage concerns, but has been unable to secure permanent reauthorization of the program.
Nextgov
NSA Deflects Blame for Baltimore Ransomware Attack
The city of Baltimore had more than two years to defend itself against the attack, and it’s officials’ fault they dropped the ball, according to NSA cyber chief Rob Joyce.
Oversight
House Democrats Clash With Education Department Over Watchdog’s Status
The Trump administration’s aborted effort to replace the IG prompts document demands and an oversight dispute.
Nextgov
Developing Standards For AI Won’t Go Like Past Technologies
Top experts and officials working on artificial intelligence say global competition has set the stage for a very different standards discussion than with past technologies.
Management
Secret Service Training Crimped by Rising Workload Under Trump, GAO Finds
Review of remedies following 2014 breach at White House cites some progress.
Route Fifty
A New Way for Firefighters to Track Their Exposure to Carcinogens
A new app allows firefighters to track in real-time their exposure to dangerous substances.
Management
OPM Abandons Proposal that Federal Job Applicants Disclose Pre-Trial Diversion Participation
Although federal officials say the plan was well intentioned, advocates decried the initiative as counter to ongoing criminal justice reform efforts.
Pay & Benefits
Separating Fact and Opinion
It can be difficult to tell the two apart in the federal retirement world.
Pay & Benefits
U.S. Postal Employees’ Retirement Assets Are Invested More Cautiously Than Those of Their Foreign Counterparts
Legally mandated strategy is not risky, but also does not produce high returns that might help reduce a gap in pension assets and liabilities, report notes.
Pay & Benefits
Early Retirement, Severance Options Unclear for Forest Service Workers Facing Layoffs
The decision to eliminate 1,100 Forest Service jobs by Sept. 30 leaves a lot of unanswered questions for employees.
Defense
Viewpoint: A Stain on the Honor of the Navy
In acceding to a White House request to cover the name of the USS John S. McCain, officers and officials revealed a rot within the service.
Management
Top U.S. Officer: Iran’s Threats Look Like a ‘Campaign’
The Joint Chiefs chairman says he saw ‘multiple threat streams that were all, perhaps coming together, in time.”
Route Fifty
Texans Won’t Need Permits to Carry Handguns After Disasters Under Newly Passed Bill
Lawmakers say they backed the measure to prevent residents from choosing between violating gun laws or falling victim to looting, but some officials question whether it's necessary.
Pay & Benefits
TSA Announces Pass-Fail Performance Management System for Screeners
Officials say the new process will cut down on paperwork and continue to reward strong performers.
Oversight
Transportation Dept. Rebuts Report that Secretary Failed to Divest Stock
Chao’s retention of shares in Vulcan Materials was approved by ethics officer.
Management
Mueller Breaks His Silence—Without Breaking Protocol
The career G-man is bound by the rules. He made it clear that the president is bound only by Congress.
Route Fifty
State Lowers Degree Requirements for Child Welfare Case Workers
The move in Oregon comes amid concerns about workforce diversity and recruiting and retaining employees.
Pay & Benefits