Pay & Benefits
A Perennial Health Insurance Conundrum
FEHBP, Medicare and the difficulty of predicting the future.
Route Fifty
Illinois Becomes First State to Abolish Cash Bail
Judges will instead use a risk assessment tool to determine a defendant's fitness for release. The change is part of a broader criminal justice reform bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed this week.
Nextgov
VA Wants Help Creating a ‘Strategic Planning Ecosystem’ to Guide IT Modernization Efforts
A contractor will support the development of several strategic plans for the Office of Information Technology.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Administration To Deliver Millions of Masks; Agencies Have Yet to Implement Many of Watchdog’s Recommendations
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Troubled KC-46 Tankers Cleared for Limited Ops, Air Force Says
The decision will free up older aerial refuelers needed overseas. But the KC-46 still can gas up only some warplanes and needs more testing and new technology.
Management
Biden’s Cabinet of Many Women Shows Other World Leaders that U.S. Takes Gender Equality Seriously
Research shows that when one country – particularly a powerful one – puts more women in power, other nations tend to follow suit.
Workforce
The Do’s and Don’ts on Social Media for Vaccine Haves and Have-Nots
In the thick of a global pandemic, and with a vaccine rollout that has been less than optimal, it's no surprise that selfies featuring the coveted COVID-19 shot surface on social media timelines. But is posting a vaccine selfie on your social media account a faux pas or a needed encouragement for others to get the shot?
Management
GovExec Daily: Baseball, Military Service and an American Story
Tom Shoop joins the show to discuss the day Private Willie Mays threw out his dad.
Route Fifty
Public Employees’ Use of Personal Phones, Tablets Puts Local Governments at Risk
A cybersecurity report found that 25% of state and local government employees use personal digital devices to telework while only 9% of federal employees do so.
Nextgov
Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020
State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.
Nextgov
Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick
William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”
Pay & Benefits
Democrats Introduce Slew of Bills to Strengthen Protections for Federal Workforce
Lawmakers are pushing to bolster diversity efforts at national security agencies, require greater transparency ahead of agency relocation efforts, and reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Route Fifty
Study: Vaccinating Teachers Could Help Get Kids Back in Classrooms
Federal researchers examined coronavirus cases in a Georgia school district and their findings suggest that educators had a central role in transmitting the virus in schools.
Management
Postmaster General Previews Slower Mail and Improved Employee Benefits, Supports New Postal Reform Bill
DeJoy says the new legislation, coupled with his business plan, would allow USPS to break even after years of losses.
Management
How Biden’s ‘Made in America’ Executive Order Could Impact Federal Contractors
Among other things, the EO creates a new White House office to review waiver requests.
Management
Senate Committees Postpone Votes on Biden’s OMB Nominee
Alternatives to Neera Tanden are being floated, as her confirmation path gets more difficult.
Defense
Leidos Deepens Maritime Reach with Planned Acquisition of Gibbs & Cox Naval Design Firm
It’s the latest move to better position itself for Navy undersea business.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: One Year of COVID-19 Coverage
Eric Katz and Kate Queram join the show to mark the first anniversary of the podcast and the year of coronavirus news.
Route Fifty
California Will Provide $600 Relief Payments to Many Individuals
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Tuesday that will extend pandemic aid to low-income and immigrant households.
Management