Route Fifty
EPA Administrator Seeks ‘50-State Solution’ to Fuel Economy Standards
Democratic senators grilled Andrew Wheeler over a draft proposal to freeze limits in model year 2020, against the wishes of California and 13 other states.
Management
Vacancy Rate for Top Agency Jobs Continues to Set Records
After 17 months, only half of key appointments have been filled. That’s on top of the highest turnover of top-tier staff of any recent president.
Management
Senate Sends Trump Defense Bill With 'Arbitrary' Cuts That May Not Save Money
Former Pentagon officials question the wisdom of slashing back-office functions.
Management
Smart Companies Hire People Who Don’t Believe In Their Mission
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant offers a counterintuitive approach to today's mission-driven mantras.
Tech
Too Much of a Good Thing at NASA
The agency’s culture of optimism is essential for launching people and robots into space. But it can lead to problems with budgets and deadlines.
Route Fifty
Some Wisconsin Schools Installing Gunshot Detection Systems
The systems were financed through a state grant program established after a February school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Nextgov
Senators Say Modernization Fund Will Get Money When Congress Sees Data, Results
Conference negotiations between the House and Senate will be the last chance to add money to the Technology Modernization Fund without additional legislation.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Approves Spending Package With Pay Raise, Setting Up Fight With House
Trump told Rush Limbaugh on Wednesday a government shutdown would be "a great campaign issue," further complicating the prospects for a spending bill.
Management
On Gaining Acceptance for Performance Pay in Government
Effective incentives strengthen engagement by rewarding employee contributions.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Funds Rebound in July, Flight Training for Vets, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Management
Spiraling Wildfire Fighting Costs Are Largely Beyond The Forest Service’s Control
A perfect storm of climate, forestry, development and fire management trends are driving up the costs of fighting wildfires.
Management
Trump Names Oklahoma Academic as Science Adviser
Meteorologist Droegemeier wins bipartisan praise.
Defense
Pentagon Delays Space Force Report
The day after Defense One published details from an 11th-hour draft of the much-anticipated report, the Pentagon has delayed its release.
Management
5 Ways Agencies Can Link Program Cost, Performance and Impact
The financial management, performance and evidence communities too often fail to work together effectively.
Management
State Department Still Has a Lot of Vacancies: Pompeo's Mixed Success
Though hiring is a stated top priority, budget constraints have kept numbers down.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Art of the North Korea Deal
The Hermit Kingdom is continuing its nuclear ballistic missile program, despite Trump's claims.
Route Fifty
Senators Seek to Rein in State Power Over Key Environmental Permit
A lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council said the GOP-backed legislation threatens to “neuter the rights of all 50 states to protect their rivers, streams and coastal waters.”
Oversight
Fewer People Want U.S. Citizenship But The Line Keeps Getting Longer
There are more than 700,000 pending naturalization cases.
Nextgov
White House Sets Top Research & Development Priorities for 2020
Expect artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space travel to get budgetary attention in fiscal 2020.
Management