Route Fifty
Oregon Bill Proposing ‘Coffee Tax’ Seeks to Perk Up State Revenues
The five cent per pound excise tax would be imposed on coffee beans sold wholesale.
Tech
Should We Leave Earth to Colonize Mars? A NASA Astronaut Says 'Nope'
Instead of finding a nook elsewhere in the solar system, we ought to be focusing on solving the issues with our own planet.
Tech
What Happens if Border Agents Are Allowed to Demand Access to Your Phone and Online Accounts?
DHS Chief John Kelly’s proposal goes beyond most interpretations of the law.
Oversight
Chaffetz Pushes GSA for Answers on Trump’s Old Post Office Lease
GSA says it’s examining the Trump Organization’s new tenant structure.
Management
Can the Education Department Be Killed With One Sentence?
Kentucky Republican introduces concise bill to abolish the department as it turns 40.
Pay & Benefits
White House Floats Federal Employee Pay Reform, Privatization in Name of Innovation
Trump administration promises governmentwide review to spend taxpayer dollars more prudently.
Nextgov
Homeland Security to Unveil 12 New Tools at Cyber Conference
The tools tackle malware attacks, internet visualization and social media analysis.
Management
Long-in-Limbo Ex-Im Bank Welcomes Trump’s Sudden Support
At lunch with senators, president says Boeing CEO convinced him of its worth.
Management
An Economic Theory Developed in 1817 Can Help You Cut Your To-Do List in Half
The law of comparative advantage will set you free.
Tech
Trump's Advisers Want to Return Humans to the Moon in Three Years
The plan could dramatically shift the mission of the space agency, prioritizing low-Earth orbit activity over distant exploration.
Defense
For the U.S. Army, 'Cyber War' Is Quickly Becoming Just 'War'
Combat brigades will soon head into firefights with cyber specialists…and possibly IT lawyers.
Management
To Save Its Budget, the State Department is Defining Gender Equality as a National Security Issue
"Any effort to undermine the critical work that we have done would be foolhardy and shortsighted."
Oversight
Play of the Day: Donald Trump Will See You in Court, Judges
Perhaps he will take his case all the way to the Supreme Court. Or the People's Court.
Oversight
Federal Judges Refuse to Reinstate Trump's Immigration Ban
A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel unanimously upheld a restraining order blocking the federal government from enforcing the president’s controversial ban.
News
DHS Won’t Confirm Trump’s Assertion That U.S.-Mexico Wall Design Is Underway
A spokesman says the department has no information to share.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Overseer Promises Reforms to Federal Pay, Performance Management and Discipline
Hearing elicits bipartisan criticism of hiring freeze, praise for federal workforce.
Oversight
Kellyanne Conway’s Plug for Ivanka's Fashion Line Draws Fire, Crashes Ethics Office Website
The White House counselor was “counseled” after telling the public to go out and buy the Trump brand.
Defense
Afghanistan Needs ‘Thousands’ More Troops, U.S. General Says in New Assessment
The commander of U.S. forces lays the first major war decision on President Donald Trump’s desk.
Defense
Trump's Attack on the Legitimacy of Critiquing Military Operations
The president took to Twitter to argue that publicly discussing the success or failure of a mission “only emboldens the enemy.”
Pay & Benefits