Pay & Benefits
That’s a wrap? Congress kicks it without passing fed pay bill, so White House’s 5.2% pay boost on deck
COMMENTARY | The lack of appropriations legislation before the Christmas recess means that federal employees could get their largest pay raise in decades.
Management
Feds tout pedestrian, cyclist safety measures in new road design rules
The Federal Highway Administration released long-awaited updates to its manual for traffic signs and road design. The newest edition comes as the country is in the throes of a major upswing in roadway deaths.
Tech
AI is a rising priority for federal chief data officers
Nearly all CDOs surveyed by the Data Foundation reported thinking about adopting the emerging technology.
Management
Acting Social Security chief highlights recent successes ahead of exit
Despite a series of challenges throughout her tenure, Acting Social Security Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi sought to tout advances made under her watch ahead of the installation of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley following his confirmation Monday.
Oversight
Key federal agencies mostly followed procedure on Jan. 6, IG finds
The National Park Service could have taken more steps to prevent risks, auditor says, though organizer's lies made the planning more challenging.
Workforce
Who is an AI worker? The Pentagon needs a better definition, GAO says
The Pentagon “can't fully identify who is part of its AI workforce or which positions require personnel with AI skills,” according to a new congressional watchdog report.
Management
Martin O’Malley confirmed as Social Security commissioner
The Senate voted 50-11 Monday to confirm the former Maryland governor, officially ending a multi-year period where the agency struggled under acting leadership.
Management
With congressional deal elusive, Biden administration ramps up border closures
DHS will reassign officers to assist Border Patrol in taking migrants into custody.
Oversight
Senate committee wants VA to ensure providers work to prevent opioid abuse
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and other Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling for action after audits found oversight lapses in opioid prescriptions from non-agency providers.
Workforce
State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels
A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.
Tech
GSA launches text message service for government programs in four localities and states
Norfolk, Virginia has already been using the service to remind people about Medicaid recertification.
Tech
2024 to bring ‘shifts’ in government tech
Obviously, artificial intelligence will be important. But a new report says there are other big advances on the horizon that governments will need to keep a close eye on.
Workforce
Priming the workforce is key to future AI efforts, federal IT leaders say
One agency tech leader is urging IT workers inside government and out to "get into the shallow end of the AI swimming pool" and experiment with the new tools.
Workforce
USPS’ workforce is very diverse. Its management is less so.
Historically disadvantaged groups fare worse than white colleagues in getting promoted to higher-level positions, new audit finds.
Workforce
Workers at German military installation unionize amid AFGE's overseas push
Nearly 400 employees of a community center on Ramstein Air Base voted to form the American Federation of Government Employee’s second union local in Europe.
Oversight
House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.
Tech
Why federal efforts to protect schools from cybersecurity threats fall short
K-12 schools are especially vulnerable to cyberattack because they lack the cybersecurity expertise and funding essential to protecting students' sensitive information.
Management
OPM encourages federal supervisors to make better use of probationary periods
The federal government’s HR agency urged agency managers to remove poor performers before most removal protections kick in, as well work more closely with new employees early in their tenure to help them succeed.
Tech
GSA is at a ‘critical juncture’ to salvage faith in TTS, agency watchdog warns
GSA’s inspector general says that it’s “trying to prevent the next Login.gov” — referencing a bombshell oversight report on GSA’s single sign-on service issued earlier this year.
Management