298 votes
...the supervisor's performance appraisal/rating.
I believe that the current rating system allows most supervisors to exploit the well-being of their employees for the pursuit of "management's" goals. Good managers get the "job" done without sacrificing those they lead.
170 votes
162 votes
Create and enforce a policy that all federal buildings use solar panels. The Federal Detention Center in Honolulu has the highest electricity bill on the island of Oahu and doesn't use any solar power!
111 votes
Instead of having ideas submitted like this once a year, why not have this website operational year round? Employees a bound to come up with similar ideas during other parts of the year but have no way to submit them.
90 votes
My building in the military had one that powered the HVAC and the hot water. We were always very comfortable and it was not at the expense of taxpayers beyond installation. What made this good was that we were a 24/7 function. We need more of these where it pays to add them and they should be made in America!
84 votes
What is the point of moving the military members every three to four years? If someone wants to stay in an area, let them. It will save a huge amount of money AND time (i.e. training time, checking in, etc.). If people want to move, switch them one for one. Otherwise, let people stay where they are!
84 votes
Wind turbine and solar power plant for Government offices owns by Government agencies and / or GSA and contracted out to Government agencies. This can also be applied to Military and other general buildings. The implementation of Solar Panels and or Wind Turbine could be of benefits to the organization, the installation would be an example of future enterprise or local business to the area, military, and other federal ...more »
Wind turbine and solar power plant for Government offices owns by Government agencies and / or GSA and contracted out to Government agencies. This can also be applied to Military and other general buildings.
The implementation of Solar Panels and or Wind Turbine could be of benefits to the organization, the installation would be an example of future enterprise or local business to the area, military, and other federal buildings.
The Gov office could set the example by assign a pilot program especially to a NEW CONTRUCTION offices and or business. This pilot can be set and studies can be used to compare conventional usage of energy versus new Wind Turbine and / or Solar Panel.
I have seemed the Corp of Engineer along with the local agency organization conducting and planning 2 or 3 years ago having the implementation of outdated R22 refrigerant (this Freon is being banded by the EPA effective 2008) versus Eco-Friendly R410a.
Additionally:
Military building can benefit from this in the long run instead of warhead expenses; by diverting some of the tomahawk and other missiles strategy cost to this Solar and Wind Turbine energy. It’ll pay back.
See other ideas.
http://governmentreform.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Equipment-CONSOLIDATION-and-ReUTILIZATION/123337-13060
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72 votes
1. Saves energy in America.
2. Saves roads / extends their life
3. Less energy consumed in office space
4. Focus for projects
5. Improved morale
6. More agile workforce able to work offsite during contingencies
68 votes
Create bonus structures tied to agency goals.
Example: Share budget saving with employees. If agency ABC comes in under budget, share 5% of that amount with employees in the form of a bonus.
There are disconnects between agency initiatives, and the reality of how they are achieved. Rewards should be tied to the bottom line, not the short sighted initiative.
63 votes
A solution to save on fuel costs would be for Institutions to use push mowers instead of gasoline operated mowers. Not only does the government save money for fuel and maintenancer, but inmates are afforded health benefits by pushing the mowers, maintaining their physical fitness. Additionally, the environmental impact is aided in less carbon emisions. The cost of a gas powered mower is around 3 to 4 times what a manual ...more »
A solution to save on fuel costs would be for Institutions to use push mowers instead of gasoline operated mowers. Not only does the government save money for fuel and maintenancer, but inmates are afforded health benefits by pushing the mowers, maintaining their physical fitness. Additionally, the environmental impact is aided in less carbon emisions. The cost of a gas powered mower is around 3 to 4 times what a manual push mower would cost. Also, the maintenance for a manual push mower is 10% of maintaining a gas powered mower.
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59 votes
"Nearly 1 in 10 House members paid at least six-figure bonuses to their staffs last year", see the link below. This is a nosebleed that must stop. Take the ability to give these bonuses out of Congressional hands. OMB or some other agency must approve. What this means is that the staffers THEMSELVES are putting in for a bonus. They do all the work. Millions of Americans are out of work, this is shameful waste of tax ...more »
"Nearly 1 in 10 House members paid at least six-figure bonuses to their staffs last year", see the link below. This is a nosebleed that must stop. Take the ability to give these bonuses out of Congressional hands. OMB or some other agency must approve.
What this means is that the staffers THEMSELVES are putting in for a bonus. They do all the work.
Millions of Americans are out of work, this is shameful waste of tax money.
http://www.legistorm.com/blog/some-members-very-generous-with-staff-bonuses.html
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58 votes
The $1 bill cost more than a dollar to produce. It is time we replace it with coins like they have done in Europe. They last longer and are cheaper to make.
54 votes
Keep this website open and collect ideas routinely.
54 votes
As a Federal Employee I am sympathetic to the rest of the country’s economic situation and have taken the 2 year cut on our Cost of Living increase with a grain of salt, knowing ultimately we’re helping out in a small way. But I feel it is a slap in the face when the contractors in my office are granted raises because their contracts state they are entitled to receive it. Why aren’t there clauses in Federal Labor ...more »
As a Federal Employee I am sympathetic to the rest of the country’s economic situation and have taken the 2 year cut on our Cost of Living increase with a grain of salt, knowing ultimately we’re helping out in a small way. But I feel it is a slap in the face when the contractors in my office are granted raises because their contracts state they are entitled to receive it.
Why aren’t there clauses in Federal Labor Contracts that state, “When Federal Employees do not receive a Cost of Living increase an increase in pay rate will not be given to Federal Contractors”? If we all work together and in the same boat, shouldn’t we all have to bail water? This clause should be mandatory on all Federal Contracts and not be up to the COR or Agency to dictate.
The amount of money saved would be at least in the millions and possibly comparable to the savings of not granting Cost of Living increases to Federal Employees.
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49 votes
Elected officials should be paid as non-employees. That means they would get no benefits and would receive a 1099 at the end of the year. They would be responsible for their own expenses, retirement, and taxes.
48 votes
Intro: Every federal employee loves when the IT guys says " you are getting a new computer" - which in many agencies means a laptop. This happens every three years and it is time. Three years of use at 40 hours a week and newer programs on dated technology are a problem - but why the new monitor? I have seen the property book and what they cost and been involved in "excessing" the old ones that all work fine. Do ...more »
Intro: Every federal employee loves when the IT guys says " you are getting a new computer" - which in many agencies means a laptop. This happens every three years and it is time. Three years of use at 40 hours a week and newer programs on dated technology are a problem - but why the new monitor? I have seen the property book and what they cost and been involved in "excessing" the old ones that all work fine. Do you replace yours at home every three years?
My Suggestion: Change the lifecycle from 3 to five years for flat screen monitors. From years 0 to 3 they can be supported under the help desk agreements or warranties and from 3 to 5 years if they have a problem they are replaced.
2.15 million Federal works x $175 per monitor (I am low balling here) = $376,250,000 every three years or $125,416,667 per year. If it was 5 years it would be $75,250,000 per year and a savings of $50,166,667 per year! Over 20 years the savings is $1,003,333,340 - that is over a BILLION dollars for such a simple change.
Impact: None. All federal employees still have a monitor. No loss in services!
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45 votes
Political campaigns should be taxed just as any business is taxed. These campaigns raise millions of dollars that are non taxable expense accounts for the politicians. At a 20-28% tax rate that would greatly help the economy
41 votes
For decades we have focused on free trade. This is not a bad thing but Americans must hear from the top that buying American is a good thing to do. If we buy more then prices go down.
I looked at the American Living line in JC Penney and it is made in the usual suspects. They charge more and you would think it would be AMERICAN made!
40 votes
With the growing number of FERS employees retiring or becoming eligible to retire, a system for checks and balances needs to be addressed to ensure retirees begin receiving their full entitlements within the first six months of retirement. This would limit the need for retirees to seek new employment and/or outside help.
38 votes
With the FAR limiting micropurchases to $3000 (or less), it is getting increasingly difficult ot purchase anything without going through days of paperwork and contracting. Increase the micropurchase threshold to $10000 and employees will spend less time fighting through contracting and more time getting work done.
38 votes
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income ...more »
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income housing system is a complete failure which has drained the US economy of trillions of dollars and maintained tenets in social and financial bondage. there is no incentive to leave section 8 or low income housing. why work or attend college when you can get housing for free or low cost. This encouranges drug abuse and out of wedlock births and tenet abuse by housing squatters and unauthorized people living in the units. section 8 and low income housing also reduce local taxpayers home values and create blighted neighborhoods with loud music and cars with dark windows and dirty messy yards often with dirt as a yard.. SECTION 8 and LOW INCOME HOUSING TENETS NEED TIME LIMITS of 1 to 3 years then they must be evicted from the units since they are living on free enititlements and have no incentive to Raise themselves out of the free benefits. WAKE UP AMERICA! WE ARE TRILLIONS IN DEBT and giving away FREE BENEFITS . remember that all secion 8 and low income housing authoritys are TAX FREE and you pay the costs of educating the people and their rents are susidized and food and insurance are subsidized and paid for. its like the midlle and upper class is paying triple to live, we all have to pay for everyone else.. its not fair..http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm
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36 votes
I have heard of this in the military but the Federal Gov't should also do this - rewards for good ideas.
If it saves money then a reward for the idea is what capitalism is all about!
36 votes
Many positions can be automated. Examples such as the timekeeper or a multiple security guards. Add man traps and other features. If the private sector is doing it to be more efficient so should the govt!
35 votes
Repeal the current tax code(s) and replace with the fair tax. It will "instantly" enrichen everyone including the US Government - we need drastic action to deal with this global economic meltdown. Fair tax will fix it all - almost overnight. All one really has to do is ask one's self- how is the current system working for you? Answer = we're bankrupt. Does 1 trillion dollars really exist? http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main ...more »
Repeal the current tax code(s) and replace with the fair tax. It will "instantly" enrichen everyone including the US Government - we need drastic action to deal with this global economic meltdown. Fair tax will fix it all - almost overnight.
All one really has to do is ask one's self- how is the current system working for you?
Answer = we're bankrupt.
Does 1 trillion dollars really exist?
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main
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33 votes
Why do the taxpayers have to pay for POLITICAL primaries? We should not have to pay for anything political. I have no problem paying for an election but put everyone on the ballot. If a party wants to narrow the field let them pay for it.
