By Ken Gold, Director of the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University President Obama’s reelection means that a major assault on federal pay and benefits, which many feared would be a part of a Romney-Ryan administration, will not occur. Nevertheless, there will continue to be long-term pressures to reduce federal spending, and agency budgets andRead… Read more »
Chicken Little squawked about the sky falling. Pundits warn about the Fiscal Cliff. But federal agencies nearly every year hold up the sky while walking on the edge of a cliff. This is the world of Continuing Resolutions and Government Shutdowns. In only four cases since 1975 has Congress passed all appropriation bills before theRead… Read more »
With the 2012 Presidential Election now behind us, a host of key issues affecting federal employees nationwide are once again front and center. Following is a post-election primer presenting a snapshot of five key issue areas for Feds during President Obama’s second term. To watch the President’s acceptance speech, click here. 1) Sequestration & FiscalRead… Read more »
Congressional approval ratings have matched the all-time low of just 12 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. That means that fewer than 1 of every 8 Americans thinks Congress is doing a good job. Much of this dissatisfaction is surely deserved, but far too many people have the wrong idea about whatRead… Read more »
Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Darrell Issa of California, sent a three paged letter to the government’s inspectors general (earnestly) asking for more communication alerting Congress when serious violations are under investigation. Darrell Issa wants inspectors general to loop in Congress The letter cited the 2010 $823,000 GSA spending spree inRead… Read more »
I was hoping that I could stop commenting on the GSA scandal and get back to some of the fun stuff from Confessions. Well, just when you think the dragon has been slain it rears its ugly head again. Notwithstanding my prior opinions, the GSA scandal is not over after all – in fact it’sRead… Read more »
This breakout session was led by Kenneth Gold, Director of the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Dr, Gold shares has first-hand knowledge of how federal programs can more effectively plan, manage, and budget for those programs, and better represent those programs before Congress. Agencies Work With Congress For their Budgeting Every agency puts togetherRead… Read more »
America’s critical infrastructure – its bridges, highway systems and roads, in particular – has become a more frequent topic of concern for transportation management professionals, especially as the economic downturn has seen fewer funds diverted to upkeep, repair and expansion. Last week, however, Congress took steps to make safety and efficiency improvements that will certainlyRead… Read more »
It is indeed a rare ocassion in Washington when the three branches of our Federal Government can put aside major ideological differences to act in unison for the greater good of the nation. This historic display of leadership has occurred with the enactment of landmark legislation — the Affordable Care Act — providing access toRead… Read more »
A perennial lament by advocates of the use of performance measures is that Congress seems to rarely use them in making decisions. Here’s a guide prepared by GAO, along with three examples of how congressional committees have used performance information to make decisions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) works for Congress and is a bigRead… Read more »