Management
The IRS Could Do a First Draft Of Your Tax Return For You
The IRS already has all the info it needs from 40% of filers, yet lobbying by tax preparers is stymieing efforts to make the filing process simpler.
Nextgov
IRS’ Plan to Modernize Old Tech Will Cost About $2.5 Billion
The agency is seeking $290 million this year as part of a six-year modernization plan.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Julian Assange's Celebrity Advocate is Pamela Anderson
Does every issue get to have a c-list celebrity as its spokesperson?
Management
Trump Gives 2020 Democrats a National-Security ‘Opportunity,’ Says Rep. Moulton
Weighing his own bid, the Iraq vet wants presidential candidates to challenge Trump on global leadership, troops, and veterans.
Defense
The Pentagon Is Killing a Key Independent-Research Program
For decades, JASON studies helped DOD and other agencies get outside perspectives on scientific and technical topics.
Route Fifty
Arizona Now Recognizes All Out-Of-State Professional Licenses
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Man arrested in Louisiana church fires ... Officials still digging into a Durham, North Carolina explosion that killed one man ... A spring snow blankets much of the Midwest.
Management
Watchdog Highlights High Priority Workforce Issues Plaguing OPM
The federal government’s HR agency lags far behind other departments in addressing issues on GAO’s high-risk list.
Management
White House Tightens Central Review of New Agency Rulemaking
Acting budget director increases reporting to OIRA under Congressional Review Act.
Pay & Benefits
New Agreement Creates Alternative Path for Feds to Resolve Discrimination Cases
EEOC hopes mediation will help reduce its long growing backlog of federal workforce cases.
Route Fifty
Mapping the Digital Curb
A data mobility company released an open-data initiative that maps the physical features of curbs in six cities, with the goal of reducing congestion and improving accessibility.
Management
Lawmakers Confronted the IRS Over Tax Audits That Target the Poor
Following up on ProPublica stories about the IRS, lawmakers pressed the commissioner on the agency’s disproportionate focus on auditing the working poor while examinations of the rich plummeted.
Oversight
Education Dept. Sued Over Blocking Access to Advocacy Group’s Website From Within Office Building
Alleged Wi-Fi block violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, complaint argues.
Tech
What Spy-Satellite Companies Can Teach NASA About Climate Change
The space agency is exploring what three Earth-observation start-ups can teach it about the planet.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Curb Algorithmic Bias
The Algorithmic Accountability Act would force companies to check whether their tech is making biased, inaccurate, discriminatory or otherwise unfair decisions.
Management
Bill to Limit IRS’ Ability to Offer Free Tax Filing Service Is Getting New Scrutiny
The attention comes after ProPublica reported on the provision.
Management
Play of the Day: Trump's Visit To Mount Vernon
The current president had some suggetsions for the first president.
Route Fifty
Solar Power More Than Doubled in Many Cities, Report Finds
Los Angeles topped the list of cities leading in solar power installation.
Route Fifty