Pay & Benefits
House Backs New Benefits for Feds, OPM Offers Heat Guidance and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
Three States File Lawsuit Over Federal Rules Blocking SALT Workaround
Treasury and the IRS last month prohibited charitable contribution programs meant to provide taxpayers a way around a cap on federal deductions for state and local taxes.
Nextgov
Pentagon Will Default To Trusting Other Agencies’ Cloud Security Assessments
The department has had success reusing other agencies’ authorizations and will make reciprocity the rule rather than the exception.
Nextgov
Census Chief Assures Lawmakers IT and Cyber Risks are Under Control
But with less than a year until the 2020 count kicks off, the bureau still has little room for error, the Government Accountability Office warns.
Management
Looks Like Turkey Is Getting Booted from the F-35 Program
After months of threats, Washington appears poised to drop Ankara from the multibillion-dollar project.
Tech
The Fraught Effort to Return to the Moon
NASA wants to put people back on the lunar surface in 2024, but it doesn’t have the budget.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President's Bones
In another controversial tweet, Donald Trump said that he doesn't "have a Racist bone in my body!"
Management
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
Route Fifty
Appeals Court: DOJ Can Hand Out Police Grants Based on Immigration Enforcement
A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can effectively penalize sanctuary cities by awarding preference points for COPS grants to jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Management
Labor Authority General Counsel Nominee Vows Impartiality, But Unions Cry Foul
Federal employee unions oppose the nomination of Catherine Bird to vet complaints before the FLRA, citing her work in collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of management.
Management
High-Level Vacancies Are Weakening Agency Management and Oversight, Lawmaker Says
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s comments marked the release of a bipartisan report recommending ways agencies can deliver better on their missions.
Route Fifty
Black Homeownership Hits A 50-Year Low
The gap between white and black homeownership has also remained largely the same since the 1960s, despite economic and political gains that African Americans have achieved since then.
Management
Would-Be Postal Regulators Pledge to Hold Mailing Agency More Accountable
PRC nominees say hitting performance goals, finalizing pricing system are top priorities.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Releases Its 5-Year Digital Modernization Strategy
Officials outlined plans to drive innovation, streamline IT acquisitions and build a more agile and resilient cyber posture.
Route Fifty
Why Local Governments Are Considering Balloon Release Bans
Releasing balloons is tantamount to littering, according to one Maryland elected official.
Defense
Sen. Warren Spars with Defense Secretary Nominee Over His Lobbyist Work
The Democratic presidential candidate said that Mark Esper, who has declined to recuse himself from Raytheon-related decisions, should not lead the Pentagon.
Workforce
Interior Announces Plan to Move Bureau's Headquarters, and Some Employees, West
Administration says the moves will better position employees to manage lands, though critics warn of resulting staff cuts.
Management
Three Questions to Keep Yourself From Losing Your Cool
I’ve learned to take my rant offline rather than saying or doing something I’m going to regret later.
Nextgov
Trump Nominates Acting CMO To Be Third In Line at Pentagon
Lisa Hershman has been nominated to officially take over the role after more than seven months as acting chief management officer.
Management