Route Fifty

Oregon Lawmakers Want to Outlaw Pet Rent

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Miss. official vs. civil service protections … Upstate N.Y. village’s bombastic mayor … Minn. in no hurry to authorize AV testing.

Route Fifty

Why States Should Be Watching Rhode Island’s Election Audit Pilots

The state is expected to be the second to turn to risk-limiting audits but the first with polling places to do so, and it has yet to choose from among three methods.

Route Fifty

Got the Big City Blues? This Mayor Thinks His Town Can Help.

Mayor David Condon describes Spokane as a possible refuge for those who’ve grown weary living in the Seattle’s of the world.

Nextgov

Stopgap Spending Measure Doesn’t Fix Federal Contractors’ Problems

Rebooting the government after a shutdown is not an immediate process and contractors are waiting for invoices to be paid.

Management

Trump Administration Issues Guidelines to 'Revolutionize' Private Sector Role in Veterans Health Care

Critics warn the plan could cause the cost of privatized care to skyrocket.

Nextgov

While You're Watching Super Bowl LIII, DHS and Atlanta Will Be Watching You

Federal and local law enforcement are combining efforts—and technology assets—to secure the biggest sport event of the year.

Pay & Benefits

Many Families May Need Months to Recover From the Shutdown

As federal employees and contractors return to work, they’re still processing some of the emotional and financial stress of the past six weeks.

Oversight

IRS Private Debt Collectors Make Deals That Don’t Always Pan Out

Customer satisfaction is high for four companies, but payment calculations can be wrong, watchdog finds.

Management

NASA Employees Return to Flooded Space Center Post-Shutdown

Burst pipe spills water into lab, space hardware testing area and laser communications room.

Defense

Intelligence Chiefs Diverge From Trump On Main Threats to U.S.

The things that worry America’s intelligence community can’t be stopped by a wall.

Route Fifty

Kentucky Governor: Cold Weather Closures Set Bad Example for Kids

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | STD spike in Indiana … N.Y.C.’s new unified contracting system … and radon gas risks in Colorado.

Route Fifty

The Case For Helping Local Government Employees Better Manage Their Finances

“It’s not just the right thing for employers to do,” says the co-author of a new report. “It also makes good business sense.”

Route Fifty

City Officials Push for National Housing Strategy

A new housing task force intends to publish a policy toolkit in June for localities looking to address the affordability crisis, but federal, state and private partnerships are key.