Route Fifty
Republican Senator Says Infrastructure Proponents Need to Be Realistic
“We can do little reauthorizations within the current constraints, but to do something big we’d have to fess up and agree that you have to pay for things,” said U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Route Fifty
The Next E-Scooter Headache: Hackers
A cybersecurity firm showed they could take control of an e-scooter someone was riding from up to 100 meters.
Nextgov
GAO Urges Congress to Start Moving on a Privacy Law
Researchers recommended lawmakers give regulators more power to write rules and punish the companies that break them.
Management
FEMA Administrator Brock Long Resigns
His departure comes as the agency faces increased scrutiny for its response during previous disasters.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown-Avoiding Spending Package Includes 1.9 Percent Pay Raise for 2019
Measure that would keep the government open and overrule a pay freeze could be voted on as soon as Thursday.
News
Yay! We’re Back to Traditional Dysfunctional Spending Negotiations
A guide to the stages of budget brinksmanship.
Management
Contractor Back Pay Bills Swirl Around Talks to Avoid New Shutdown
Trump is said to be resisting plans to reimburse mostly low-income employees for the 35-day shutdown.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Investigate Back Pay Issues, New Post-Shutdown Clarification on Promotions, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Management
Shutdown Caused 'Real Harm' to IRS and Taxpayers, Advocate Argues
Details given on how tax agency struggled to launch filing season with furloughed staff.
Nextgov
DOJ Indicts Former Intel Officer For Helping Iran Hack Her Colleagues
Monica Witt, a former Air Force officer and intelligence community contractor, also allegedly disclosed information about a sensitive Pentagon program, according to Justice Department officials.
Route Fifty
Riders Aren't Quitting Transit—Just Using It Less Often
New research from a transit-reform nonprofit found that riders are likely to return to public transit if service improves.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employee Appeals Board May Soon Finally Be Able to Hear Cases
Panel approves two MSPB nominees, but there's a catch.
Defense
The Navy to Create Chief Learning Officer, Overhaul Sailor Education
The creation of a Naval University and other changes are aimed at better shaping sailors and Marines for tomorrow’s wars.
Management
Winning and Losing the HR Game
Using the same metrics across federal agencies would highlight the best and worst performers.
Defense
The Problem With a ‘Smart’ Border Wall
To resolve Trump’s impasse, many lawmakers have proposed boosting surveillance technology to create a virtual border wall. Is that more humane and effective?
Defense
The Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force
Six months ago, service leaders said they were being cut out of the planning process. Now they’re being put in charge of it.
Management
Shining a Brighter Light on the Work of Federal Watchdogs
Providing timelier access to the status of IG recommendations could incentivize agencies to act.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Trump, the Wall and Dogs
The president held a rally in Texas and covered a range of topics.
Route Fifty
Appeal to Trump on SALT Cap Appears to Get Cool Reception
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says "there is no more vital long-term issue" for his state's finances than a limit on the state and local tax costs taxpayers can write off on their federal returns.
Route Fifty