Nextgov

OMB Finishes Major Tech Policy Overhauls in 2019

The Office of Management and Budget reworked several policies—some of which hadn’t been updated in a decade.  

Route Fifty

How One Election May Have Shifted the Bar for Gun Control

After winning control of the Virginia statehouse, Democrats in 2020 are poised to pass gun control measures. It’s already set up a battle with local leaders in conservative parts of the state.

Management

Managers Take Note: Less of You is Probably Enough

Your success isn’t directly correlated to how much time you spend telling people what to do.

Management

One Thing About the 2020 Election Is Already Clear

Regardless of which side wins next year, the divide between red and blue America is likely to only grow wider.

Management

NIH Works to Prevent Sexual Harassment Among Federally Funded Researchers 

Agency has already taken some recommended steps but others will take longer, director says.

Pay & Benefits

Trump Finalizes Pay Raise for Feds in 2020

The new pay tables are out: Federal employees will see a 2.6% increase in basic pay next year, with an average 0.5% increase in locality pay.

Nextgov

How VA Is Tapping Cutting-Edge Tech for Veterans

From artificial intelligence to Walmart telehealth stations, the agency spent 2019 focused on how tech can augment its health services.

Nextgov

The Pentagon Wants AI-Driven Drone Swarms for Search and Rescue Ops

The project will likely require AI and unmanned systems developers to work together under the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.

Route Fifty

State Attorneys General Are Waging a Climate Change Battle Against the Trump Administration

In filing lawsuits against the Trump administration, Democratic state AGs have paid particular attention to both climate change and environmental protections.

Management

Organizations Are Improperly Offering Yoga Classes and $20K Weddings in National Parks

"Learning centers" should reimburse the National Park Service for federal funds they received, auditor says. 

Oversight

Federal Agencies Need to Improve Oversight of Security Aid to Lebanon

Hizbollah's influence “heightens the importance of ensuring strong management controls.”

Tech

Growth In Data Breaches Shows Need For Government Regulations

Failure of corporations to protect data means that government regulation is required to ensure corporation compliance.

Management

Is It Weird to Wear Leggings at Work?

Women put up with a lot at the office. At least grant us elastic waistbands.

Management

Three Theories for Why You Have No Time

Better technology means higher expectations, and higher expectations create more work.

Nextgov

Agencies Will Start 2020 With 20 Data Actions to Complete by Year’s End

The administration released the Federal Data Strategy Action Plan for the next year, adding four more action items from the draft released in summer.

Defense

Why Trump and Biden Can’t Cut Troops in Afghanistan Much More

Even ‘bare minimum’ counterterrorism forces require critical intelligence only U.S. personnel can provide, officials warn.

Management

How Talking to the Elderly and Assessing Air Quality Could Help USPS Grow Revenue

The Postal Service is pursuing opportunities, but such efforts are more likely to benefit society writ large than the agency's finances.

Nextgov

Homeland Security Releases TIC 3.0 Use Cases with Additional Guidance

The government’s cybersecurity department released a draft set of use cases and other guidance to help agencies build secure networks in the age of cloud and mobile.

Management

OPM Proposes Making It Easier to Rehire Former Feds

Under a new plan from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies would be able to rehire former federal workers at a higher pay grade than their previous job, provided they were high performers.

Nextgov

Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report

A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.