Route Fifty
There’s Growing Urgency for Passenger Rail Projects to Move at High Speed
With billions in new federal funding available, advocates see a narrow window to deliver new lines, faster trains and other ambitious upgrades. But there are plenty of difficulties that could throw their plans off the tracks.
Employee Policy
WH's USPS nominees pledge to reexamine key DeJoy initiatives
Current nominees' confirmations would give President Biden's appointees a majority of the Senate-confirmed seats on the Postal Service board.
Pay & Benefits
Some Federal Employee Retirement Funds Made Up a Little Ground in March
Three of the TSP’s five basic funds ended the month up and all of the lifecycle funds were in the black.
Defense
In About-Face, Army Expects to Shrink Next Year
Chief of Staff McConville says recruiters need to reach families whose children have not served.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: A New Calculator Helps You Figure Out What to Do After a COVID-19 Exposure
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Inflation Is the New Sequestration
Congress must shore up the Pentagon’s eroded buying power.
Tech
When Will You Know the Pandemic Is Over?
How will we know when the COVID-19 pandemic is at an end? Will we live with the virus forever? What happens next? Experts have some answers for you.
Management
Making the Case for a Federal Management Corps
The challenges facing the Veteran Benefits Administration may make it a good place to test a Management Corps.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Security Clearances and Ukraine
Federal employment attorney Dan Meyer joins the podcast to talk about what cleared individuals should keep in mind while supporting Ukrainians.
Nextgov
Google Surveys Federal Employees in Fight with Microsoft for Government Market
The survey report tried to associate heavy reliance on Microsoft’s products with greater susceptibility to cyberattacks.
Management
OPM’s Goals for the Next 18 Months: Hire, Hire, Hire
The federal government’s human resources agency released a new strategic plan this week aimed at transforming the agency into a leader in governmental human capital management.
Pay & Benefits
These Agencies Are Trying To Get Better at Providing Retirement Services
Three key organizations are working to improve the customer experience of federal employees and retirees.
Management
Federal Agencies Are Taking Steps to Make Benefits and Services More Transgender Inclusive
The Biden administration announced it will provide more options for gender identity on benefit applications and travel documentation, among other things.
Management
Biden's USPS Nominees Pledge to Reexamine Key DeJoy Initiatives
Nominees' confirmation would give Biden appointees a majority of the Senate-confirmed seats on the Postal Service board.
Employee Policy
Lawmakers: When will most feds work in person again?
With so much remote work going on, some in Congress would also like to scrutinize the federal government’s real estate footprint.
Tech
Senators Call for Ban on US Government Personnel Use of Chinese Ride-Sharing Apps
A pair of lawmakers want the departments of State and Defense to enact a global prohibition on U.S. diplomatic and military personnel from using digital transportation platforms like Didi Chuxing, a Chinese-based ride-sharing service growing in popularity around the world.
Defense
Confederate Names and Symbols on Hundreds of Military Roads, Structures, Ships Under Review
Congress’ Naming Commission has revealed what else besides base names may get relabeled or removed—right down to a water tank.
Management
Even after Lockdowns Eased, Pandemic Depression Persisted across Social Classes
A new study finds that adults in the U.S. reported the same levels of depression a year into the pandemic as they did at the outset.
Tech
Pentagon’s Effort to Supply Departmentwide Cloud Capabilities is Delayed, Again
Officials say they essentially underestimated how long it would take to review plans from the four cloud service providers.
Tech