Alphabet Soup

by Anna Lafferre

If there is one thing the federal government likes, it’s acronyms. GPRA, NAFTA, DOJ, WPA – it would be pretty easy for federal employees to carry on entire conversations using only acronyms.

Recently there have been two acronyms on the tip of everyone’s tongue: TARP and ARRA. TARP, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, was set up to allow the federal government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions in order to strengthen the financial sector. ARRA, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is the $787 billion economic stimulus bill designed to create jobs, restore economic growth and strengthen America’s middle class. The government believes that together, TARP and ARRA will restore America’s economic stability and viability.

There is a great deal of money being devoted to these issues, and President Barack Obama has pledged an unprecedented amount of accountability and transparency to taxpayers. He created Recovery.gov so citizens could track the outcomes of ARRA. (Discussed in last week’s column.) According to the act that authorized TARP, another of our favorite acronyms – GAO – is required to report at least every 60 days on findings resulting from their oversight of the status of actions taken under the program. This week, the GAO released their most recent report, “Troubled Assets Relief Program: Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues.”

The GAO report summarized the recent actions taken by the Treasury Department (which oversees TARP), including the distribution of about $300 billion in funds as of February 19; the creation of the Financial Stability Plan, which outlines a set of measures to address the financial crisis and restore confidence in the financial and housing markets; and a Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan to mitigate foreclosures and preserve homeownership. The GAO congratulated the Treasury Department for taking measures to implement the nine recommendations they made in their first report, however, the GAO also suggested nine areas which warrant the Department’s “ongoing attention.”

The GAO’s next report on TARP is due to Congress March 31. The complete February report can be read here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09417t.pdf

A Step Toward Recovery

After months of planning, weeks spent in the House and Senate and several additions and deletions, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed Tuesday by President Barack Obama. Among many provisions, the Act is designed to create or save over 3.5 billion jobs, invest $150 billion in new infrastructure and provide an $800 “Making Work Pay” tax credit to 129 million working households.

Most importantly, the Act will “require unprecedented levels of transparency, oversight and accountability.” To accomplish that goal, Obama created a new website, Recovery.gov that lets “you, the taxpayer, figure out where the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is going.” Obama identified five objectives for Federal agencies to ensure that:

• Recovery funds are awarded and distributed in a prompt, fair, and reasonable manner
• The recipients and uses of all recovery funds are transparent to the public, and that the public benefits of these funds are reported clearly, accurately and in a timely manner
• Recovery funds are used for authorized purposes and every step is taken to prevent instances of fraud, waste, error and abuse
• Projects funded under the recovery legislation avoid unnecessary delays and cost overrun
• Programs meet specific goals and targets, and contribute to improved performance on broad economic indicators

Obama told Federal employees, “We cannot overstate the importance of this effort. We are asking the American people to trust their government with an unprecedented level of funding to address the economic emergency. In return, we must prove to them that their dollars are being invested in initiatives and strategies that make a difference in their communities and across the country.”
After signing the bill in Denver, Colorado, Obama said it had been put together without the usual earmarks and pork, and he wanted the American people to hold the Federal government accountable for how the money is spent. The new website provides a place where citizens can leave comments about the ARRA or tell a story about how the act worked – or didn’t work — for them.
After last week’s poor showing of transparency at Obama’s first press conference, it’s encouraging to see Recovery.gov and the Administration’s commitment to transparency, oversight and accountability. However, the website doesn’t have much content yet, so let’s hope that it will follow through on everything Obama is promising it will be – sooner rather than later.

February 18, 2009
by Anna Lafferre

Performance Coalition featured in Government Executive

Despite their varied agendas, think tanks, nonprofits and associations are banding together under one overarching theme - to make government better.

Like any Cabinet chief or agency leader, they are consulted when government wants to make a change, offering decades of collective knowledge and expertise. But when the nation is reeling from management disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or the financial crisis, or when antiquated federal pay and management systems are ripe for revision, they become SWAT teams, parachuting in to help meet urgent needs. They are good government organizations that serve as strike teams for federal agencies on important issues, providing recommendations, research and even training. Though these nonprofits, think tanks and professional associations tout a range of projects and priorities, the community of good government groups is experiencing a period of unprecedented cooperation.

READ FULL STORY

Where is the Transparent Obama We Elected?

President Obama spent his first press conference making a case for his economic stimulus plan, informing citizens just how serious of a situation we’re in and explaining why his opponents are wrong. All these things are understandable, but Dan Froomkin of the Washington Post’s “White House Watch” put it best when he said “Obama filibustered.” In the entire hour, Obama took only 13 questions, and his answers were little more than mini-speeches. It would have been refreshing to hear Obama say, “You know what – this is a tough and frustrating situation we’re in. While I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to lose my job and the ability to support my family, I am going to do everything I can to get this problem solved as quickly as possible. Here’s what I think is best.” However, his responses were lengthy and boring, and he took no follow-up questions.

While the conference was drawn out and somewhat painful at times, the most disappointing part was that his actions Monday night were in direct contrast to his position on transparency in government. Back when he was campaigning, Obama promised that if he was elected he would shine a light on government spending, open the executive branch to the public and end the practice of writing legislation behind closed doors – all in the name of transparency. Government transparency was Obama’s route to regaining the American people’s trust in the federal system.

After he was elected, but before he took office, he created the extremely popular Change.gov, where citizens could get updated on the transition. Most importantly, Change.gov allowed visitors to leave comments and ideas because “President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history.” After the inauguration, Obama continued to keep open communication with the public by accepting comments on WhiteHouse.gov and by establishing The White House Blog for the “President and his administration to connect with the rest of the nation and the world.” In fact, the first post on the blog, dated January 20, 2009, outlined the changes Obama would bring to the White House, centered on three priorities: Communication, Transparency and Participation.

The blog post states that communication is important because “Americans are eager for information about the state of the economy, national security and a host of other issues. This site will feature timely and in-depth content meant to keep everyone up-to-date and educated.” The blog post also affirms that Obama is committed to making this administration the most transparent in history and will “provide a window for all Americans into the business of the government.” Finally, Obama promised that citizen participation will be a priority for the administration, and that the internet will play an important role in that.

Obama’s first press conference did not fulfill his promise of transparency. He could have taken more questions from the media or even responded to comments or questions left by citizens on WhiteHouse.gov. We can only hope that this was an aberration and he’ll work harder to become the example of transparency he’s demanding of all federal employees and agencies.

by Anna Lafferre
February 11, 2009

IT Security: Managing the delicate balance between information security and citizen transparency

When: August 19, 2009 | 12 PM
Where: Online (FREE)

During this dialogue we will address the following issues:

• Learn to protect your agency’s electronic networks in order to improve information sharing
• Meet the needs of the public while keeping your IT safe and secure
• Improve government transparency and reinvigorate civic engagement while ensuring the security of your network

Posted in Events

Process Improvement: Utilizing Lean Six Sigma and Project Management for Dramatic Improvements in Costs, Efficiency and Quality

February 10, 2009

by Michael Kuhlmann

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When: May 27, 2009 | 12 PM
Where: Online (FREE)

During this dialogue we will address the following issues:

• Combine project management with Six Sigma practices to enhance results and streamline processes
• Integrate Six Sigma and project management methodologies to decrease costs and increase efficiency
• Apply measurement tools to evaluate opportunities and obstacles for quality improvement

Posted in Events, Freebie

Economic Slowdown, the Incoming Administration and Performance Management

February 6, 2009

by Michael Kuhlmann

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When: March 18, 2009 (FREE)
Where: Atlanta, GA

During this roundtable dialogue we will address the following issues:

• Understand the role performance management can play in the drive to do more with less
• Gain insights on the new Obama management agenda
• Understand how to measure, communicate and evaluate the performance of your program

Browse through the Program Brochure

Posted in Events

Economic Slowdown, the Incoming Administration and Performance Management

February 6, 2009

by Anna Lafferre

No comments yet

When: February 10, 2009 (FREE)
Where: Denver, CO

During this roundtable dialogue we will address the following issues:

• Understand the role performance management can play in the drive to do more with less
• Gain insights on the new Obama management agenda
• Understand how to measure, communicate and evaluate the performance of your program

Posted in Events

They Fell Like Dominoes

February 5, 2009

by InnoGov

1 Comment

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Nothing in this world is certain but death and taxes.” In the past couple of days, we’ve seen how “certain” taxes really are, and how not paying them will certainly get you in a lot of trouble.

It seems like a no-brainer: you must file your income taxes by April 15. If you can’t figure it out yourself, you hire an accountant. For most Americans, if you mess it up, you get audited and possibly owe the United States government more money. However, as we’ve recently learned, for a few Americans messing up income taxes or “forgetting” to pay them will cost a lot more than just money – it will cost you your high-level position in the Obama Administration.

Yesterday two very high-profile Obama picks for important cabinet positions handed letters to the President, requesting that their names be withdrawn from consideration. In the morning, Nancy Killefer, Obama’s pick for the newly created Chief Performance Officer position, requested her name be withdrawn amidst allegations that she failed to pay employment taxes for household help for about 18 months, the Associated Press reported. In her letter to the President, Killefer said,

“I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent. I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid. Because of this I must reluctantly ask you to withdraw my name from consideration.”

Later the same afternoon, Tom Daschle, Obama’s choice for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, also withdrew his name after it was reported he did not pay $146,000 in back taxes. Like Killefer, Daschle said,

“If 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction. Right now, I am not that leader.”

Obama said he still supported the confirmation of both Killefer and Daschle, but he accepted both of their decisions.

Although Killefer and Daschle withdrew yesterday, this is not the first time “Tax Gate” has derailed a potential nomination. Timothy Geithner has since been confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury, but his confirmation was initially put on hold after it was reported he did not pay social security or Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund.

At yesterday’s press briefing, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs attempted to explain the withdrawals by stating, “You can’t set a standard of responsibility but accept a different standard of who serves.” He indicated that Obama’s commitment to accountability and transparency were part of the decision, but he struggled to explain why Timothy Geithner was confirmed while the others withdrew, the Washington Post reported.

Taken individually, the tax problems of Geithner, Killefer and Daschle may not seem so extreme. However, with three high-level nominees all having tax problems that call to question Obama’s themes of government accountability and transparency, they fell like dominoes.

February 4, 2009
by Anna Lafferre

Posted in Performance Wire