WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 023 - Government Efficiency

What is government efficiency?  Well it's doing your best by finding success in reducing government operating costs when you get elected into office.  And President Barack Obama has done just that by managing to cut government expenses by the billions.  This can be done by simply using different software or hardware in different departments, reversing the Bush-era no-bid and single-bidder contracts in order to find the best contractor who can do the best work for the least amount of money, and so forth.

Today I will introduce you to a broad policy, a specific cut, and a targeted action by this President and his administration.  By providing these open government efforts it helps keep spending under control, and this is what we want in a President.

WTF-67

Established the President’s Management Advisory Board.

The President's Management Advisory Board (PMAB) was formed to provide the President and agencies advice and recommendations on bringing insight from the private and non-profit sectors to Federal Government management and operations. Topics that the board will address include customer service, human capital, innovative technology, and procurement. [Read More]

The President's Management Advisory Board is a council of 17 corporate executives from leading American companies. Its purpose is to provide the administration of the executive branch advice and recommendations on effective strategies for the implementation of the best business practices on matters related to federal government's management and operations, with focus on productivity, the implementation of innovative methods, customer service, and technology.  The board will be chaired by former Sirius/XM Satellite Radio Director Jeffrey Zients as part of the General Services Administration of the Executive Office. As of July 2010, appointments to the board have not been announced. [Read More-1, Read More-2]

WTF-68

Cut salaries of senior White House aides.

President Barack Obama is extending a freeze on the pay of senior White House officials for another year and he’s spreading the freeze to top political appointees across the federal government, Obama aides said Tuesday night. 

Obama is expected to announce the freeze during his State of the Union address Wednesday, officials said. He will also extend a ban he imposed last year on paying bonuses to political appointees, according to White House aides. 

“The president recognizes and we all recognize that the nation faces some really difficult choices,” an administration official who asked not to be named said. “Families are making tough choices, businesses are making tough choices. The president is simply asking political appointees who want to be part of government to be more careful and more responsible with taxpayers’ dollars.” [Read More-1, Read More-2]

WTF-69

Enhanced payment accuracy through a “Do Not Pay” list.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

"My Administration is committed to eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal programs, including reducing and recapturing erroneous payments    a commitment I reinforced in Executive Order 13520 of November 20, 2009, and in a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) of March 10, 2010.  While identifying and recapturing improper payments is important, prevention of payment errors before they occur should be the first priority in protecting taxpayer resources from waste, fraud, and abuse.  In those cases where data available to agencies clearly shows that a potential recipient of a Federal payment is ineligible for it, subsequent payment to that recipient is unacceptable.  We must ensure that such payments are not made.

Agencies maintain many databases containing information on a recipient's eligibility to receive Federal benefits payments or Federal awards, such as grants and contracts.  By checking these databases before making payments or awards, agencies can identify ineligible recipients and prevent certain improper payments from being made in the first place." - Barack Obama  [Read More]

I would like to list everything under each category, but there comes a time when even a blog gets too large. LOL. But make sure to click on the "Read More" links to read more on each WTF.

I promise to come back to this topic in another issue, until then, please feel free to read my previous issues by clicking here.

Make sure to read the next issue
Issue No. 024 - Health & Wellness

WTF Has Obama Done is an ongoing series posted daily or weekly on BLADE 7184 until Election Day, 2012!