Management
GovExec Daily: What Federal Execs Can Expect During the Transition
National Academy of Public Administration Fellow Sallyanne Harper joins the podcast to discuss what her life was as a senior official during a transition… and what others can expect during this transition.
Route Fifty
Nearly 1-in-6 Restaurants Are Closed, Some Permanently, Industry Group Says
The National Restaurant Association estimates there are now over 110,000 closures and says the industry badly needs government aid to get through the pandemic.
Nextgov
Flournoy Should Lead Biden’s Pentagon, Armed Services Chairman Says
Rep. Adam Smith told reporters Michèle Flournoy would help the Defense Department cut red tape to engage with new technologies needed for the future of defense.
Pay & Benefits
The Federal Gender Pay Gap Is Shrinking, But the Remaining Disparity May Be the Hardest to Eliminate
Although the gap between men and women at federal agencies has fallen from 19 cents on the dollar in 1999 to 7 cents in 2017, the vast majority of the remaining salary discrepancy is “unexplained,” watchdog finds.
Route Fifty
A Ski Community Will Require Tourists to Sign a Virus Test Affidavit
Pitkin County, Colorado—home to Aspen—will require visitors to sign an affidavit attesting that they've received a negative Covid-19 result recently or will quarantine locally until they can obtain one.
Management
Trump Administration Finalizes Rule to Protect Religion-Based Federal Contractors
It has “a grotesquely overbroad exemption” that could allow for discrimination, said one critic.
Route Fifty
American Mental Health Hits 20-Year Low
A new Gallup poll finds that fewer Americans are assessing their mental health positively during the pandemic.
Nextgov
GSA’s Central Procurement Hub Will Lose the ‘Beta’ in April
The legacy SAM.gov will be shuttered and all the capabilities will be folded into the new SAM.gov, which currently goes by beta.SAM.gov.
Management
With Shutdown Deadline Looming This Week, Lawmakers Look to Buy More Time
Vote on a one-week funding extension is expected this week, ahead of Friday's deadline.
Management
Transition Roundup: Biden Announces Health Team; Transition Challenges at the Pentagon
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
US Officials Say They Can Seal F-35 Sale to UAE Before Trump Leaves
But that would depend on both Congress and the Gulf state.
Nextgov
Microsoft Unveils Top Secret Cloud for Government
The move comes among an array of other cloud-driving announcements.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Establishing Public Trust in a Vaccine
University of Florida's Ann Christiano and Jack J. Barry join the podcast to discuss how officials can promote health measures to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Route Fifty
State Medical Board Won't Let Doctor Practice After He Advised Against Masks
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | U.S. House approves federal marijuana legalization … Endangered tree species that grizzlies rely on could see new protections soon … Two out of five transit riders in Utah say they won’t return after the pandemic.
Route Fifty
Updated Building Codes Prevent Billions in Disaster Damages. Many Localities Don’t Have Them in Place.
Almost two-thirds of local governments haven’t adopted modern building codes.
Route Fifty
States Overpaid Millions in Unemployment and Now Demand People Pay It Back
States rushed to get unemployment benefits approved when the pandemic struck. Reviews are now identifying millions of dollars in overpayments that they want workers to repay.
Nextgov
Robotic Surgeries Are Changing the Game Inside One VA Facility
More than 60 robotics-boosted surgical procedures were performed since March—and the program will likely expand in the next year.
Management
Compromise Defense Policy Bill Includes Paid Parental Leave Fix, Allows Feds to Carry Over More Annual Leave
The latest version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act does not include House-passed measures blocking the Defense secretary from exempting Pentagon employees from collective bargaining.
Management
Biden Will Issue Mask Mandate for Federal Buildings
The president-elect will also encourage universal mask wearing for his first 100 days.
Management