Management
Taxes are due even if you object to government policies or doubt the validity of the 16th Amendment’s ratification
The IRS "has stated repeatedly that a taxpayer does not have the right to refuse to pay taxes based on religious or moral beliefs."
Management
OPM rule removes Social Security numbers from mailed documents
The federal HR agency finalized a rule Friday that would help prevent potential identity theft by restricting the inclusion of Social Security numbers in mailed documents and establishing criteria for protecting the information.
Management
Skills-based hiring for contractors advances in the House
The Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act would remove degree requirements from federal contract work in some instances.
Oversight
Russian hackers accessed federal agencies' emails in Microsoft breach, CISA says
The alert comes a week after Microsoft was faulted in a Homeland Security Department report for fostering a security culture that enabled a similar China-backed cyberattack last year.
Tech
EEOC says HR software company Workday should face bias claims in lawsuit
The federal agency filed an amicus brief in a case in which a job applicant is alleging algorithmic discrimination.
Tech
How TSA’s opt-outs for biometric screenings informed White House AI policy
The Office of Management and Budget’s recent guidance on the government’s responsible use of AI elevates TSA's practice of allowing travelers to decline biometric scans at airport security to national policy.
Workforce
OPM finalizes reforms to federal internship programs
Biden administration officials hope improvements to the federal government’s Pathways Program will make it more appealing for potential applicants and easier to use as an agency recruitment tool.
Pay & Benefits
Resigning instead of retiring
How you leave the federal government matters when it comes to benefits.
Oversight
VA claims appeal board errors are the target of a new House bill
The Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act seeks to mitigate errors made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals with new training, performance evaluations and required reports to Congress.
Tech
USPTO says existing rules apply to AI-crafted submissions
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reaffirmed its existing regulations will apply to AI-assisted applications and filings.
Workforce
Give administrative leave to veterans for VA appointments
COMMENTARY | This is a necessary step in honoring our veterans in federal service.
Updated
Pay & Benefits
House panel advances bills to improve FEHBP oversight and fix CBP retirement snafu
A 2022 Government Accountability Office report estimated that ineligible family members covered through the federal government’s employer-sponsored health care program could cost the government between $250 million and $3 billion per year.
Oversight
Contentious FBI headquarters plan looms over House hearing on real estate footprint
The House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management sought to examine the FBI’s strategy for managing its overall office space requirements, but the ongoing controversy over its potential new headquarters again took center stage.
Management
Maryland delegation to launch bipartisan push for funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge
A pending bill would allow the state to avoid incurring 10% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Pay & Benefits
Here's what federal employees need to know about their dental benefits
Navigating your dental benefits shouldn't be like pulling teeth
Workforce
Coast Guard hasn’t assessed how many future aviation personnel it needs, report says
The service is in the midst of modernizing and consolidating its aircraft fleet, but it’s also facing workforce challenges that could alter how many vehicles the Coast Guard ultimately needs.
Pay & Benefits
OPM continued to make strides on retirement process in March
The backlog of pending retirement claims fell below 17,000 last month, a feat that did not occur until June in 2023.
Oversight
5 agencies join Justice in pledge to protect civil rights against AI-fueled discrimination
The agencies pledged to use their existing enforcement authorities to tackle cases where artificial intelligence may impact Americans’ civil rights.
Tech
The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled
The IRS estimates that 19 million taxpayers are eligible to use the new program in advance of the April 15 tax filing deadline.
Management