Route Fifty
State Tax Revenue Makes Biggest Gains in Seven Years
Revenue collections were boosted by favorable economic conditions, robust stock market returns in 2017 and the first half of 2018, and state policy actions.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Saw 26 Percent Spike in Hardship Withdrawals During Shutdown
The agency is working with lawmakers on bills to remove penalties from transactions during lapses in appropriations.
Management
Feds Dig Out From 35 Days’ Worth of Piled-Up Work
IRS, Census and science agency employees bemoan shutdown’s long-term impact.
Management
How to Help Your Team be Productive Post Shutdown
Employee engagement was a problem before the shutdown. It’s likely to get worse.
Management
Vital Economic Data Was Likely Lost During the Shutdown – Here’s Why It Matters to All Americans
The government collects reams of economic data that are vital to the functioning of companies, policymakers and even families.
Pay & Benefits
How the Trump Administration Is Handling Pay and Benefits for Shutdown-Impacted Feds
New guidance details what you need to know about retroactive paychecks, getting back to work and leave accrual.
Defense
The White House’s Move on Venezuela Is the Least Trumpian Thing It’s Done
The Trump administration’s concerted diplomatic effort did not originate on Twitter.
Management
The Government Shutdown Is Ending. For Airports, It’s Just In Time
A pilot explains how a month-long shutdown will have lasting effects on air traffic controllers. “I can hear stress in their voice that didn’t used to be there.”
Management
Analysis: The Shutdown Leaves Trump’s Base Cracked
The president closed the government in the belief that his core supporters would never forgive him if he didn’t build the wall. Instead, the closure showed weaknesses in that coalition.
Management
It’s Back to Work, But Not Back to Normal
It will be very difficult for federal employees to pick up where they left off, especially with another possible shutdown looming on Feb. 15.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Yet Another Tell-All Book About the White House
There are more stories to mine from inside the administration.
Route Fifty
‘We Really, Really … Need You Not to Commit Any Crimes While It’s -10 Degrees Out’
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Conn. toll scofflaws owe big bucks to Mass. … pricey port upgrades in Anchorage … and challenges with Oakland’s vacant property tax.
Route Fifty
States See a Slip in Tax Collections That's Not Totally Unexpected
The federal tax overhaul and stock market volatility help to explain some recent income tax revenue trends.
Management
OMB Asks Agencies to Prepare for 'Orderly Reopening'
President Trump on Friday signed a bill to fund agencies through Feb. 15.
Management
Why Feds Don’t Strike
During the 35-day partial government shutdown, many wondered why workers didn’t just strike. Here’s an explainer.
Defense
U.S. Military Eyes Tiny Nuclear Reactors for Deployed Troops
The Strategic Capabilities Office wants to fund prototypes, picking up on decades of intermittent research
Management
Shutdown Didn’t Stop Regulatory Chief From Moving Ahead on Rollback of Workplace Injury Reporting Rule
Labor, consumer groups charge pro-business favoritism on workplace injury reporting.
Route Fifty