Pay & Benefits
As Shutdown Continues, Feds Await Pay Decision
If President Trump does not issue an order authorizing an alternative pay plan by Dec. 31, sizable automatic increases will take effect.
Nextgov
IRS Wants to Be a Testbed for Bleeding-Edge Tech
The new pilot would create a phased buying process with ample testing in IRS environments.
Management
Trump: Most Furloughed Employees Are Democrats
President offers no evidence for his assertion.
Defense
No, U.S. Troops Are Not Getting a 10% Pay Raise
President Trump announced the surprise windfall during a surprise visit to troops in Iraq. But it’s not true.
Route Fifty
The Benefits of Being a Mayor Between Separate Stints as Governor
Something that paved the way for the success of Jerry Brown’s second tour as California governor: His eight years at Oakland City Hall.
Route Fifty
The Trickle-Down Impacts of the Federal Shutdown on States and Localities
The disruption in Washington, D.C. “could have a significant impact,” if there is a protracted partial shutdown, according to Steve Benjamin, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Nextgov
Should Vendors Submit Contract Bids During a Government Shutdown?
Deadlines are deadlines, even if no one is there to check.
Oversight
Whistleblower Attorneys Demand Discipline for Departing Housing Agency Chief
Mel Watt set to retire Jan. 6 after being investigated for sexual harassment.
Nextgov
The Devil’s in the Details as GSA Seeks to Consolidate the Multiple Award Schedules
The agency is entering an important transitional year as it combines its many schedules into one.
Management
As Furlough Notices Hit Inboxes, Trump Says Feds Support a Shutdown
According to the president, federal workers want a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Management
Analysis: What Was Steve Mnuchin Thinking? Three Possibilities
The Treasury secretary put out an alarming—and confusing—press release on Sunday evening.
Management
The Government May Be Shut Down, But Taxpayers Are Footing The Bill For Mar-a-Lago Party Tents
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort still needs tents for the winter party season—and taxpayers are footing at least $54,000 of the bill.
Management
Agriculture Secretary Narrows Sites for Office Moves that Democrats Oppose
Criteria include quality of life, cost and logistics for moving researchers out of Washington.
News
Feds Share Their #ShutdownStories on Twitter
With furloughs affecting hundreds of thousands of public servants and contractors, many took to social media to vent.
Management
How a Consultant Said He Gamed HUD Inspections: Sweep Problems Behind a Wall
A housing consultant was recorded bragging about how he helped properties pass HUD inspections, likening it to a “chess game manipulation strategy.”
Oversight
Play of the Day: The New Facial Recognition System at the White House
Is it McLovin? Or Steve Mnuchin? There are still kinks to work out.
Management
ProPublica: We Found 95 New, Undisclosed Trump Appointees
Among the latest hires: a longtime DuPont manager who is now at an EPA position that is typically not a political appointment.
Route Fifty
Tax Cuts, Whale Funding and Pay Bonuses Among the Priorities in Governors' Proposed Budgets
Across the U.S. governors are rolling out their spending plans for the upcoming fiscal cycle.
Defense