Management
Informants Aren’t Spies – They’re Essential FBI Tools
An informant gathered information from Trump campaign staffers for the FBI's Russia probe. An historian writes that informants are one of the most basic ways the FBI and police investigate.
Route Fifty
State Budget Forecasts Could Shift in a Big Way
COMMENTARY | Here’s why preliminary observations and estimates from the recent ‘Fiscal Survey of the States’ could significantly change, according to New Jersey’s former state budget director and comptroller.
Management
The Challenge Effective Leaders Embrace Every Day
Organizations are mostly designed to optimize the status quo. A simple diagram can show you how to break free.
Nextgov
FTC Suggests Considering Security Disclosure Rules for Connected-Device Makers
If the Consumer Product Safety Commission required IoT makers to outline their security protections, the Federal Trade Commission could go after false claims.
Route Fifty
Zones for New Federal Tax Breaks Approved in All 50 States
Guidance for the “Opportunity Zones” program, which will provide tax breaks for investments in low-income areas, is still forthcoming.
Nextgov
Pentagon Asks for Ideas on Building a Universal Telehealth Network
That includes looking at tech that connects patients with providers.
Management
A Prison Or A Summer Camp? Wildly Different Spins On The Casa Padre Child Immigrant Center
Impressions from journalists, the Trump administration, the nonprofit that runs it, a photographer, and a teenage former resident.
Management
Education Department Proposes New, More Restrictive Telework Policy
Action follows unilateral implementation of a new management edict by agency leadership.
Oversight
As White House Preps Successor, Mulvaney Plans to Exit Consumer Agency
Under Vacancies Reform Act, acting director’s tenure ends June 22—unless Trump nominates someone for the job.
Route Fifty
Local Advocates Decry Proposed State ‘Bribe’ to Permit Drilling
House Republicans are pushing a plan that would financially incentivize states to drill for oil and gas and punish those that don’t.
Nextgov
Navy Wants Experimental Tech to Streamline Operations in Port and at Sea
SPAWAR is using its other transaction authority to solicit prototypes through the TReX consortium.
Pay & Benefits
Congress Looks to Boost Accountability for VA’s Senior Execs, Loosen It for Everyone Else
Bipartisan bill in the Senate would unwind Trump’s top legislative achievement on civil service reform.
Management
Five Times James Comey Used His Personal Gmail For FBI Business
According to the inspector general's report, Comey used his own Gmail for FBI work just after the Clinton email investigation.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Happy 72nd Birthday, Mr. President
Donald Trump's birthday was celebrated Thursday by late-night hosts.
Management
Education Department Staff Has Shrunk by 13% in Trump Era
“If you’re going to make a case to hire more people, you better have a really good reason,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recently told an interviewer.
Route Fifty
Kentucky Sues Walgreens Over Opioid Abuse Epidemic
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Montana preps for another difficult wildfire season … Charlotte’s uncharted scooter territory … and N.J. governor makes first legalized sports bet.
Management
House Passes Bill to Help USPS Block International Shipments With Illegal Opioids
The Postal Service typically has no advanced data on the packages it receives from overseas.
Nextgov
Nearly All Major Agencies Are on Governmentwide Cyber Threat Dashboard
So far, 20 of 23 major agencies are plugged into the dashboard. The last three should be on by the end of July.
Route Fifty
FAA Awards $677 Million in Airport Improvement Grants
The 241 grants will fund 346 infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals.
Oversight