Route Fifty

Draining More Than 1,000 Swamps in D.C. and Beyond the Beltway

Newt Gingrich sees an era of ‘extraordinary decentralization’ as regulatory reformers set their sights on 50 state capitals and 1,000 city halls and county seats.

Oversight

Trump’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Business Plan ‘Reeks,’ Former Presidential Lawyers Say

Republicans decline to join minority party at congressional forum.

Pay & Benefits

Pay Raise Surprise, New Tuition Discounts, Snow Day Refresher and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Route Fifty

The Creepy Beauty of Flying Over North Dakota Fracking Country at Night

Despite shifts in the global energy market, see how this remote part of the northern Great Plains continues to shine bright from above.

Tech

Did Russia Hack the RNC Too? Here’s What We Know So Far

Republican lawmakers and affiliated political organizations were targeted by the same Russian group that hit the DNC.

Oversight

Republicans Like Paul Ryan Want to Stop Regulatory Agencies From Writing Rules or Doing Much of Anything

Regulations are often technical and wonky—but they make sure the water we drink is clean and that the jobs we perform are safe.

Management

How the Trump Administration Could Get a Better Return on a $650 Billion Federal Investment

Improving the grants management process.

Management

Groups Want Trump to Keep Secretary McDonald At VA

Support grows for former CEO and Army vet to continue his major management transformation at the department.

Route Fifty

Calif. Regulators vs. Uber's New S.F. Deployment; Baltimore Mayor’s Hand-Delivered Letter to Trump

Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown’s request of Obama before leaving office; a new Trump-inspired civics lesson in Maine school; and casino troubles ahead in South Bend.

Management

What the State Department Can Teach Agencies About Preparing New Appointees for the Job

The goal is to set people up for success.

Tech

Trump’s Tweets: Will They Go in the National Archives?

Agency clarifies that transition team documents are not federal records.

Management

Lawmakers: GSA Found Trump Will Breach His Hotel Lease, Absent Divestment

The president-elect must divest himself of all managerial control and ownership interest before Jan. 20, GSA official reportedly told Capitol Hill Democratic staff.

Management

Will Rick Perry Promote Science at the Department of Energy?

The former Texas governor has questioned the scientific consensus on climate change and once forgot the name of the agency when listing those he wanted to eliminate.

Oversight

What Obama Can Do Before He Leaves Office

While this isn’t a particularly large period of time for him to achieve monumental things, it’s a window wide enough to tie up loose ends.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Does Trump Want Kanye West in His Cabinet?

Probably not, but they did meet at Trump Tower on Tuesday.

Employee Policy

OPM issues weather reminder

Tis the season for unpredictable, potentially dangerous winter weather, so the Office of Personnel Management is reminding agencies of its weather-related dismissal and telework policies.

Oversight

Government Ethics Office Now Says Trump’s Business Plans Fall Short

OGE backtracks on previous praise of the president-elect's plans.

Defense

Pentagon Watchdog’s Handling of Whistleblowers Under GAO Review

Whistleblower advocates applaud requirement for expanded probe in Defense bill.

Tech

Obama Administration Urges Trump to Continue Progress on Crowdsourcing

Federal crowdsourcing community started with five federal employee members, and now includes 300 from 59 different organizations.

Route Fifty

Data Gaps Limit EPA Findings on How Fracking Might Affect U.S. Drinking Water

The agency’s conclusions in a five-year study were knocked by a leading oil and gas industry group and praised by environmental advocates.