Route Fifty
Stats Shot: 381 U.S. Metro Areas, Ranked by Their 2014 GDP
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released the figures on Wednesday.
Nextgov
Tax Collectors Want 'Selfies' to Prove You Are Who You Say You Are
States receive federal funds to verify the smartphone self-portraits of citizens, as a means of preventing refund fraud.
Oversight
Abortion Has Held Up the Budget Before, But the Stakes Are Higher This Time
Debate over reproductive rights caused funding gaps in the 1970s, but not a shutdown.
Nextgov
Agencies Harnessing Data to Make Your Visit to a Government Office More Bearable
Feedback USA is a system of kiosks that allow citizens to rate their experience visiting field offices and other agency locations.
Oversight
Issa Cites Tensions with Executive Branch on Bipartisan DATA Act
Ex-House chairman dismisses IRS’ budget complaints, predicts “scores of FOIA officers” no longer needed.
Pay & Benefits
Financial Help During Shutdowns, Efforts to Fix a Locality Pay Inequity and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Facing Renewed Threat, 20,000 Feds Are Still Suing Government Over Last Shutdown
Many more names will be added to suit seeking back pay.
Management
The Top 10 Women Cyber Guardians You Should Know About
A roundup of influential information security leaders to watch.
Oversight
Issa Says He’s Never Voted to Shut Down the Government
Senate leaders are to blame, he says, as parks advocates warn of damage.
Management
This Is the Most Important Employee Benefit Coming to American Workplaces Since 401(k)s
Employers offer student loan repayments to attract talent.
Pay & Benefits
A Primer on Federal Pay and Benefits In Case the Government Shuts Down Again
Keep in mind that Congress has always approved back pay for federal workers furloughed during shutdowns.
Nextgov
Only 1 in 7 of the Pentagon’s Emails is Legit
Out of 700 million emails sent to Pentagon account monthly, about 98 million are actually "good emails,” an official says.
Management
More Proof That When It Comes to Hiring, It’s Who You Know
There's a reason why Silicon Valley is so homogenous.
Oversight
Pope Francis Won't Tread Lightly on the Issues that Divide Washington
The pope puts immigration, refugees, and climate change on the top of his agenda.
Route Fifty
Washington Still Funding Charter Schools for Now; Sun Pharma Wants No Part of Arkansas Executions
Also: Jersey City transgender employees win expanded benefits and damning data on racial profiling piles up in Connecticut.
Nextgov
OPM Says 5 Times More Federal Employees Had Fingerprint Data Stolen in Hack Than First Believed
The number of federal personnel whose fingerprint data was stolen in the hack has increased from approximately 1.1 million people to 5.6 million.
Management
Low-Wage Federal Contract Workers Welcome Pope’s Visit—With a Strike
Contract employees seek $15 an hour and a union.
Oversight
Neither Side Budges as Senate Blocks 20-Week Abortion Ban
The vote fell mostly along party lines amid a broader skirmish over Planned Parenthood.
Route Fifty