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
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!
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!
14 votes
Combine the following threads as they are the same topic: *** Topic: End of fiscal year spending Eliminate End of Year Spending End of Year Spend Down Save it for Tomorrow Agency Budget Incentive Stop punishing us for saving money Provide Incentive to Agencies to Save or Return Money Fiscal year carry over ***************************************************** Please do the same for threads on: Telework Contract ...more »
Combine the following threads as they are the same topic:
*** Topic: End of fiscal year spending
Eliminate End of Year Spending
End of Year Spend Down
Save it for Tomorrow Agency Budget Incentive
Stop punishing us for saving money
Provide Incentive to Agencies to Save or Return Money
Fiscal year carry over
*****************************************************
Please do the same for threads on:
Telework
Contract workers
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30 votes
Listen to these ideas instead of letting them go ignored and pretending like something is being done to reduce government waste.
13 votes
When federal agencies have resources that they could, on occasion at the very least, lend or assist a fellow federal agency office nearby; they can and should. However, they actually rarely do because... well... they haven't been directed to do so. Solution: Direct all federal government that if they have resources they can reasonably offer, lend or assist another federal agency in need, do it. Furthermore, no federal ...more »
When federal agencies have resources that they could, on occasion at the very least, lend or assist a fellow federal agency office nearby; they can and should. However, they actually rarely do because... well... they haven't been directed to do so.
Solution: Direct all federal government that if they have resources they can reasonably offer, lend or assist another federal agency in need, do it. Furthermore, no federal agency should be charged from or make charges to, another federal agency (USPS excepted). It is essentially a double-indemnity to the taxpayer. I can probably come with 100 examples or scenarios of how this would immediately save money.
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36 votes
Agencies can reduce paperwork costs by using digital paperwork. I have reduced the need to print about 10,000 pages over 6 months through use of a personally purchased e-reader.
The savings on paper are substantial enough. However, when the cost of ink and printers are factored in, such purchasing decisions become a no brainer.
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!
30 votes
The high speed rail projects that were proposed were in the wrong states. We need to redirect those funds to a maglev from Washington D.C to New York City. We need to connect our leadership capital with our financial capital. Agencies would be able tl locate up the corridor and have cheaper travel. Since this will take a load off roads then it can be built with government funds and leased to a commercial operator ...more »
The high speed rail projects that were proposed were in the wrong states. We need to redirect those funds to a maglev from Washington D.C to New York City. We need to connect our leadership capital with our financial capital. Agencies would be able tl locate up the corridor and have cheaper travel. Since this will take a load off roads then it can be built with government funds and leased to a commercial operator to use and maintain and earn a profit. Since the infrastructure is leased the deal must place caps on rate increases - they must be based on increasing cost and not increasing profitability.
This would help Amtrak not need govt funds and you could get from DC to New York in 1 hour. The existing Accela rail lines in the corridor can be worked with the local commuter rails that are operated by Amtrak so that the additional tracks planned won't need to be added!
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14 votes
I hate to say this but the GSA and DLA prices for items such as tools are criminal. If they cannot offer the best product at the best price then we should ALWAYS be able to change to IMPAC funds and buy from a commercial source such as Sear Craftsman. I priced one DLA tool box that cost $1250 was $217 at Sears. The Sears set was also lifetime warranty and the pieces matched. The DLA set was mix match! Best product, ...more »
I hate to say this but the GSA and DLA prices for items such as tools are criminal. If they cannot offer the best product at the best price then we should ALWAYS be able to change to IMPAC funds and buy from a commercial source such as Sear Craftsman.
I priced one DLA tool box that cost $1250 was $217 at Sears.
The Sears set was also lifetime warranty and the pieces matched. The DLA set was mix match!
Best product, best price period!
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19 votes
Instead of being a single year funding rollover could limit unfunded requirements by finding savings.
No more Christmas in August and September!
71 votes
Mandate that the top 100 ideas at a minimum are forwarded to the involved agency executive for review and comment. There are an extensive amount of valuable ideas here that may not score number one. It would be tremendous waste of effort if those below number one were not reviewed for consideration. We all have an idea or two here, we all put effort into this, what a waste if the ideas were simply deleted. Mandate ...more »
Mandate that the top 100 ideas at a minimum are forwarded to the involved agency executive for review and comment.
There are an extensive amount of valuable ideas here that may not score number one. It would be tremendous waste of effort if those below number one were not reviewed for consideration. We all have an idea or two here, we all put effort into this, what a waste if the ideas were simply deleted.
Mandate that they are reviewed and not thrown out with the trash.
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9 votes
I know in my agency, The National Weather Service, all scheduled maintenance on our observations systems such as the radars, the automated observation systems (ASOS), NWR transmitters, and other equipment follows a strict "compounding" maintenance schedule as opposed to a flexible, "sliding" scheduling system. The compounding system creates much more maintenance then is needed. It is easy for management to defend strict, ...more »
I know in my agency, The National Weather Service, all scheduled maintenance on our observations systems such as the radars, the automated observation systems (ASOS), NWR transmitters, and other equipment follows a strict "compounding" maintenance schedule as opposed to a flexible, "sliding" scheduling system. The compounding system creates much more maintenance then is needed. It is easy for management to defend strict, compounding maintenance scheduling but it is actually the most innefficienct way to do it. As an example; Let's assume the radar at an office is due for quarterly PM (preventative maintenance) on March 1st. With a compounding schedule, this job may be accomplished on March 15th, but will be rescheduled for June 1st - a full two weeks before it is actually due the next time - there's no flexibility. (by the way, PMs are usually late for one reason or another). The radar really only needs quarterly maintenance done at a minimum 90-days AFTER the last 90-day PM, so after accomplishing the PM on March 15th, the scheduling system should really "slide" the next scheduled 90-day to June 15th. This ensures that maintenance is not done before it is needed. Likewise, if a the 90-day PM is performed two weeks ahead of time, Feb 15th, then the new scheduled 90-day PM should be scheduled for May 15th - 90 days after the last PM. Suffice to say, sliding scheduling would save money and ensure maintenance is done when it is supposed to, and with enough flexibility to make sense. I would have to guess we'd see a significant savings with sliding scheduling over compounding scheduling.
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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.
35 votes
We are implementing a new financial system at my agency, and before it was even finished, it was renamed. Not only are we paying for the system, but we are paying to rebrand all of the materials for it with the new name. It is confusing to employees and a HUGE waste of time. It's like "freedom fries" for computers. This happens throughout government and especially in Congress. Taxpayers don't pay us all to come up with ...more »
We are implementing a new financial system at my agency, and before it was even finished, it was renamed. Not only are we paying for the system, but we are paying to rebrand all of the materials for it with the new name. It is confusing to employees and a HUGE waste of time. It's like "freedom fries" for computers.
This happens throughout government and especially in Congress. Taxpayers don't pay us all to come up with "catchy" names. They pay us to get real work done. If it has a name that makes sense, let it be!! Stop wasting money trying to come up with the best name that can be made into the cutest acronym. Nobody cares about that!!!!
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17 votes
Using my agency, The National Weather Service as an example (it is relatively small and would be easy to reorganize); I'd like to propose a plan to consolidate management functions within the government which will save money and make the government more efficient. There is so much management in between the people at the top who make overall decisions and the people in the field actually doing the work, that directives ...more »
Using my agency, The National Weather Service as an example (it is relatively small and would be easy to reorganize); I'd like to propose a plan to consolidate management functions within the government which will save money and make the government more efficient. There is so much management in between the people at the top who make overall decisions and the people in the field actually doing the work, that directives are often changed, watered down, or otherwise interpreted differently between the various "branches, regions, divisions, commands" - type management structures thriving within the bureaucracy. It is actually causing problems. Too much management, not good. The NWS has 6 different "Regional Headquarters" divisions. Each one is a little management "empire" and they actually have their own operational divisions, engineering divisions, scientific divisions, etc. Then, there is a National Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. They have an operational division, a scientific division, an engineering division. The engineering division actually does little, and will not develop new systems unless they are asked to by the regions (yes here we hasve an agency where the headquarters awaits instruction from the regional headquarters). These regions could be eliminated overnight with a simple directive. Close the regions, move all the employees either up, down or out (RIF). I'm sure similar directives to the various agencies would trim it up. There was a postmaster in the 70's, Postmaster Frank. He came in and trimmed 55,000 middle managers from the postal system and made the postal system competitive overnight. And I would argue - much more effective and efficient.
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170 votes
24 votes
29 votes
Currently a 20 year military vet that joined at 18 and retires at 38 gets a retirement immediately. I am military so I understand this isn't popular but that means if they live the life expectancy they get this for 40+ years!
This is not true for the reserves so the system needs to be more balanced.
10 votes
We need to have the President set an ambitious export goal. Like increase so much by this date.
This should be the goal of all executives - even states. They should want the US to lead the world in goods and services.
17 votes
The U.S. needs to do more to get China to stop manipulating its currency or threaten to do the same to ours.
14 votes
America can use the lower dollar to her advantage and with the right incentives for business become a manufacturing giant again.
54 votes
Keep this website open and collect ideas routinely.
13 votes
Help U.S. companies expand into international markets with products slated to be exported by giving them tax breaks. Even it is a new break even the jobs alone help the United States and establish better reputation for "Made in America" products.
20 votes
The dollar is low and now is the best time to lure Europeans, Middle easterners, and Asians to America for their vacations.
I have not seen much of this but it would help the U.S. Economy.
