NEWS: Oct. 26, 2016
Public Workforce | The Nation
Feds' Campaign Contributions
Going Overwhelmingly to Clinton
Federal employees are opening their wallets to help Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump on Nov. 8: Of the roughly $2 million that federal workers from 14 agencies contributed to presidential campaigns by the end of September, about $1.9 million, or 95 percent, went to the Democratic nominee's campaign. Several agencies, such as the State Department that Clinton once led, saw more than 99 percent of contributions going to Clinton.
>> The Hill
Judge Blocks Effort to Protect Contractors' Workers
In a victory for industry groups, a Texas federal judge issued a preliminary injunction freezing the Obama administration's rule aimed at protecting federal contractors' workers from abuses such as wage theft and health violations. It was to have taken effect yesterday.
>> Government Executive
Are Millennials a Threat to Federal Cybersecurity?
Those born between 1977 and 1994, who by 2025 will comprise about 75 percent of the federal workforce, could soon pose a major threat to federal cybersecurity, according to a new survey saying millennials are more likely to engage in risky behaviors online.
>> Nextgov
Public Officials | Petersburg, Va.
Interim City Manager Replaced
as Consulting Firm Takes Over
The Robert Bobb Group took command of Petersburg's beleaguered city administration and installed one of the public-sector consulting firm's own as interim city manager, kicking off a shakeup welcomed by supporters and derided by detractors who questioned whether the City Council violated its charter in hiring the firm. The selection of Tom L. Tyrrell to lead the city ended the eight-month tenure of Dironna Moore Belton, who uncovered the city's funding gaps and led it to adopt drastic cuts. Belton returned to her previous post as the city's transit manager.
>> Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post
San Francisco's CIO Named NYC's Chief Tech Officer
Miguel Gamiño Jr., the CIO responsible for leading the San Francisco city government's technological evolution, has been named New York City's chief technology officer. Gamiño previously served as the chief information and innovation officer for El Paso, Texas.
>> Government Technology
Md. School Board Member Resigns over Governor's Action
University of Maryland physicist James Gates resigned from the Maryland state school board, saying he believed Gov. Larry Hogan had usurped the power of the independent board when he issued an executive order requiring schools to start after Labor Day.
>> Baltimore Sun
Former D.C. Official Sentenced on Tax Charge
Warren Graves, who served as an official under six Washington, D.C., mayors, was sentenced to a year of probation and home confinement and ordered to repay $220,987 on a federal felony tax charge.
>> Washington Post
Elections | The Nation
Fearing Election-Day Violence, Communities
Closing Schools, Moving Polling Places Out
Rigged elections. Vigilante observers. Angry voters. The claims, threats and passions surrounding the presidential race have led communities around the U.S. to move polling places out of schools or cancel classes on Election Day, fearing that confrontations and even violence in school hallways could endanger students.
>> AP/U.S. News & World Report
Texans Claiming Machines Switched Votes to Clinton
Early voters in Texas are claiming that voting machines in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and other counties changed their presidential votes from Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton, but elections officials say the allegations are more than likely false or instances of user error.
>> Dallas Morning News
The Military | California
Obama: Speed Up Review of Improper Bonuses
President Obama told the Defense Department to expedite its review of the cases of nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers who have been ordered to repay enlistment bonuses improperly given a decade ago, but he is not backing growing calls, including from House Speaker Paul Ryan, for Congress to waive the debts.
>> Los Angeles Times, Military Times
IG Documents Deficiencies in Military Housing
Faulty sprinkler systems, exposed wiring and unchecked household mold were among the deficiencies in military base housing around the world documented in a Pentagon inspector general's report.
>> Government Executive
Pentagon: All Services Falling Short on Morale Programs
The Defense Department is cracking down on all the military services for failing to fully fund their morale, welfare and recreation programs, with each branch falling short of DoD budget requirements.
>> Military Times
Higher Education | Seattle
Gates Foundation Gives $210 Million
for Home for World Health Project
A bold initiative by the University of Washington to improve the health of all the world's people is getting a big boost from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is writing a $210 million check to build a home for the project--the largest single donation the university has ever received.
>> Seattle Times
Idaho College Settles Discrimination Case for $650,000
The College of Southern Idaho reached a $650,000 settlement with Edit Szanto, a former vice president who alleged "pervasive discrimination" based on her gender and status as an immigrant.
>> Twin Falls Times-News
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VIEWPOINT
Elections | Phil Keisling
Will American Voters
Upend the Election Process?
This November's presidential election will go down as the most fiercely fought--and downright cringe-worthy--in recent history. Only one-third of Americans think either major-party candidate is "honest and trustworthy," while almost 60 percent say they're dissatisfied with the country's direction. So it's worth noting, as the national contest's last days perhaps get even weirder and more disheartening, that some notable citizen-initiated efforts across the country are trying to change some of the most basic rules by which candidates run and are elected.
>> Governing
PLUS: Joshua A. Douglas on the good news on voting and democracy.
>> USA Today | More commentaries
QUOTABLE
“How can we tell reality from illusion? What is the nature of human happiness? Can war ever be moral?”
Joseph Orosco, an associate philosophy professor at Oregon State University, providing examples of some of the questions being explored in a course he is teaching this fall devoted to the original TV version of "Star Trek and its effects on politics, ethics and social justice
>> The Oregonian | More quotes
DATAPOINT
More than 540,000
Number of federal employees--amounting to about half of those eligible--who have enrolled in "Self-Plus-One," a new health-insurance plan that provides coverage to a beneficiary and a single dependent, despite confusion and questions about actual savings since the Office of Personnel Management launched it a year ago
>> Federal Times | More data
UPCOMING EVENTS
Workplace Behavior
TODAY | 1 p.m. ET
This webinar is part of a series designed for ASPA's student and young professional members. For more information on the webinar or to register, click here. |
American Enterprise Institute
Discussion: "Safety Net 2.0: How Technology Can Transform Our Approach to Poverty"
Today, noon-1:30 p.m. ET, Washington, D.C.
Government Technology
Webinar: "Land Mobile Radio: Common Challenges and Innovative Solutions"
Today, 1 p.m. ET
American Enterprise Institute
Report release and discussion: "Building a 21st-Century Transportation System: Federal, State and Private roles"
Today, 5:30-7 p.m. ET, Washington, D.C.
Brookings Institution
Debate: "Have Free Trade Deals Been a Net Positive for Working Americans?"
Today, 5:30-7:45 p.m. ET, Washington, D.C.
Heritage Foundation
"The Joseph Story Distinguished Lecture: Address by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas"
Today, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET, Washington, D.C.
Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials
Annual Meeting
Oct. 27-28, Washington, D.C.
>> Full events listings
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