Route Fifty
Justice Department Defends Tax Mandate Provision in Covid Relief Bill
In a court filing, the department responded to a lawsuit filed by Ohio’s attorney general, who said the tax mandate was unconstitutional and encroached on his state’s financial decisions.
Management
Faulty Planning and Coordination Hampered the Government's Early Pandemic Repatriation Efforts
"Serious" and "fundamental" challenges put feds, American public's health and safety at risk, GAO finds.
Oversight
Watchdog Finds the Pompeos Made Over 100 Requests of ‘Personal Nature’ to Staff
The former State Department secretary’s counsel vehemently denied the issues outlined in the inspector general report.
Pay & Benefits
Bill to Expand Paid Family Leave Benefits for Feds Introduced in Senate
Measure would grant federal workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for illnesses and other situations not covered under 2019 parental leave law.
Nextgov
White House Stands Down Coordination Effort on SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange Hacks
The leading cybersecurity official on the National Security Council shared lessons learned as agencies reach patching goals.
Management
Managing Pay When the Goal is Rebuilding the STEMM Workforce
This would be an ideal time to rethink the talent management policies for these essential occupations.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: CDC Advisory Committee to Meet Friday; FEMA Funeral Assistance Ramps Up
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Advocates Hope First Female Army Secretary Brings Change
Nominee Christine Wormuth has led strategy and policy at the highest levels. Can she lead cultural change as well?
Defense
Trump-era Efforts to Boost Military Readiness Produced Mixed Results, GAO Finds
New report adds fuel to debate over how to conceive of and measure readiness.
Defense
GovExec Daily: Priorities and the Pentagon Budget
The Project on Government Oversight's Mandy Smithberger joins the podcast to discuss the money allocated to Defense Department and connected programs.
Management
COVID-19 Public Health Messages Have Been All Over the Place – but Researchers Know How to Do Better
During the pandemic, clear and reliable health communication can literally be a life-and-death issue. Researchers who focus on the science of science communication highlight strategies that work.
Nextgov
Survey: Large Contractors More Concerned Than Small Contractors About DOD’s Cybersecurity Certification Program
A new survey puts numbers on conflicting narratives about the small businesses perspective and issues of competition in the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification regime.
Route Fifty
The States that Make it Most Difficult to Vote
A report by the Center for Election Innovation and Research compares which states allow voters to cast absentee ballots by mail without an excuse and offer early in-person voting.
Management
New State Department Diversity Officer Met with Praise
Amb. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley will hold the newly created position.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Seeks Broader Input, More Specifics As Agencies Craft Performance Goals
Agencies should consult with more top leaders before issuing their performance plans, lawmakers say.
Nextgov
Connolly, Hice Announce Bill to Improve Performance Planning at FITARA Hearing
The Performance Enhancement Reform Act would require greater collaboration among agency officials and more detailed descriptions of resources required to meet goals.
Management
Senator Seeks to Ban Nonexistent 'Meatless Monday' Policy at Agencies
USDA in 2012 briefly encouraged employees to eat vegetarian once a week on a voluntary basis, but its cafeterias never stopped offering meat, and they are currently closed due to the pandemic.
Oversight
New Treasury Office Will Oversee COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Programs
Billions in state and local government aid is part of the office's portfolio.
Management
The Pandemic Has Created an Opening to Improve Federal Labor-Management Relations
The broad success of telework offers an opportunity for unions and executives to come together to support a new work environment that benefits employees and management.
Defense