Route Fifty

Legal Challenges Mount Against Tax Cut Prohibition in Covid Relief Law

Confusion over the tax mandate embedded in the $350 billion direct aid program for states and localities led Kentucky and Tennessee to file suit.

Route Fifty

Single Sign-in For Government Services Expands to States, Localities

The federal government is looking to partner with state and local governments to grow its Login.gov service, which it says is secure and user friendly.

Route Fifty

GOP Governors Take Action to Block Covid ‘Vaccine Passports’

The Biden administration is making clear it is not planning to pursue a federal proof-of-vaccination program.

Route Fifty

‘SALT’ Saga Flares as Governors Push to Repeal $10,000 Limit

The latest efforts to restore a federal break for state and local tax payments come as the White House proposes tax policy changes to help fund President Biden's infrastructure package.

Nextgov

DOD’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program for Contractors Is in Demand

The Defense Cyber Crime Center launched a pilot with “a few dozen” companies participating.

Nextgov

Pilot IRS Will Shift Focus to Key Technologies in 2021 Solicitations

Forthcoming solicitations will center on digitizing paper and poor-quality documents, high-speed scanning and automation tools.

Route Fifty

Biden Infrastructure Plan Offers $213 Billion ‘Sweeping Investment’ in Affordable Housing

The president’s proposal calls for $40 billion to improve existing public housing, as well as funding for grants and tax credit programs to build and preserve affordable units.

Route Fifty

Public Sector Jobs Up in March, But Still Far Below Pre-Covid Levels

Education employment in particular saw strong growth.

Route Fifty

Officials Aim to Diversify the U.S. Quantum Workforce Early On

As experts unleash efforts to attract the future workforce, they are also being deliberate about ensuring the budding field is inclusive from the start.

Nextgov

Why the Army Elevated Its Enterprise Cloud Office to Agency Status

Director Paul Puckett explained the move is a recognition that cloud computing is not a temporary project.

Nextgov

CISA Orders Agencies to Conduct Fresh Scans of Microsoft Exchange Servers

The agency issued supplemental guidance requiring new tests with Microsoft-provided tools and measures to harden the attractive target.

Nextgov

Microsoft to Produce Augmented Reality Headsets Under $21B Army Contract

The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation system headset is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens gaming device.

Route Fifty

How Two States Resolved Problems with PrepMod’s Vaccine Management System

Virginia and Maryland both experienced issues with vaccine appointment link sharing. Virginia opted to develop its own vaccine management platform, while Maryland worked with the vendor.

Route Fifty

The Wide Gaps Between Minority and White Business Ownership in America’s Cities

A new data tool offers ways to gauge the disparities with businesses in the nation’s largest metro areas. It also includes information on women-owned firms.

Route Fifty

Mayors Want Vaccines Distributed Directly to Cities

The proposal, pitched to the White House on Monday, would mean bypassing states. It’s likely to be a tough sell given the added complications it would involve.

Route Fifty

How Local Governments Can Deal with Recycling Scofflaws

Education is often cited as the key to improving recycling rates and reducing contamination. But a new report suggests cities might be better served by cutting off problem households.

Nextgov

Watchdog to Review How Postal Inspectors Handle Cryptocurrency

Digital currencies have already been seized by the law enforcement arm in previous investigations.

Route Fifty

Buttigieg Emphasizes Commitment to Working Directly with Local Governments

“States don't always see things from that critically important local perspective,” the former mayor told county officials.

Nextgov

COVID-19 Drove .Gov Search Traffic in 2020 But Not Always About Health

Data on searches performed on .gov websites shows people wanted information on every aspect of the pandemic, as well as continued interest in NASA and immigration.