1099 ELECTED OFFICIALS
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.
Browse Ideas with tag 'performance':
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This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »2 comments for Idea: 1099 ELECTED OFFICIALS -
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170 votes
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Active Duty retirement at 20 year no matter your age?
11 comments for Idea: Active Duty retirement at 20 year no matter your age?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.
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10 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Set Ambitious Export Goal
1 comment for Idea: Set Ambitious Export GoalWe 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.
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17 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Persuade China to allow its currency to appreciate
2 comments for Idea: Persuade China to allow its currency to appreciateThe U.S. needs to do more to get China to stop manipulating its currency or threaten to do the same to ours.
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14 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Take adantage of lower value dollar to jumpstart manufacturing
Add your comment for Idea: Take adantage of lower value dollar to jumpstart manufacturingAmerica can use the lower dollar to her advantage and with the right incentives for business become a manufacturing giant again.
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54 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Keep this website open year round
1 comment for Idea: Keep this website open year roundKeep this website open and collect ideas routinely.
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13 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Competitiveness - Tax incentive to create new export item
1 comment for Idea: Competitiveness - Tax incentive to create new export itemHelp 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.
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20 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Tourism - Market the U.S. overseas as a great place to visit
2 comments for Idea: Tourism - Market the U.S. overseas as a great place to visitThe 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.
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18 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Nuclear and green energy - so more dollars go into economy
11 comments for Idea: Nuclear and green energy - so more dollars go into economyIt is about time the U.S. invest in all power sources. Wind, solar, AND nuclear power are a must. By increasing supply the cost will go down allowing more dollars into the economy and more jobs. With huge increases in energy and health care costs how is the nation ever going to recover!
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4 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Close Loop Accountable System for Civil Servant Performance
We have a great accountable system for Contractor Performance which fosters an environment of accountable business and environmental practices through Award Fees and other contractural incentives, however what we lack in all of Federal Government is a close loop accountable system for Civil Servant Performance, where contractors, in a non confrontational platform, have the ability to provide input on their teammates and ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Close Loop Accountable System for Civil Servant PerformanceWe have a great accountable system for Contractor Performance which fosters an environment of accountable business and environmental practices through Award Fees and other contractural incentives, however what we lack in all of Federal Government is a close loop accountable system for Civil Servant Performance, where contractors, in a non confrontational platform, have the ability to provide input on their teammates and counterparts whom are often vital to the program/ mission. By not having this close loop system, vital members of the team have no incentive to ensure projects are implemented in the most safest, reliable, and cost efficient manner. This system can compromise of a simple survey, maybe a 360 degree review, of employees performance which will include contractor input, and will be relied upon when determining raises, promotions, or the identificaiton of weakness/ strengths in programs. Without accountability, a certain segment of our workforce becomes very sluggish and unwilling to put the oversight or insight work forward to accomplish mission/ program goals. Having a close loop system can promote a "Value Added" type of culture.
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48 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Monitors - Extend life for replacements - Saves 1 Billion USD!
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 »
12 comments for Idea: Monitors - Extend life for replacements - Saves 1 Billion USD!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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24 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Put more stringent controls on consulting contracts
The federal government uses a wide range of contractors. Some provide equipment, which are tangible. But when contractors provide more ill-defined "goods" the scrutiny should be heightened and there should be a time limit the consultant can work with the contractor. For example, X consultanting firm can help an agency build a training course, but that must be done with a certain time frame -- six months or less -- and ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Put more stringent controls on consulting contractsThe federal government uses a wide range of contractors. Some provide equipment, which are tangible. But when contractors provide more ill-defined "goods" the scrutiny should be heightened and there should be a time limit the consultant can work with the contractor. For example, X consultanting firm can help an agency build a training course, but that must be done with a certain time frame -- six months or less -- and the contract cannot be extended. Time to stop runaway spending on consultants. They are abusing the system, and federal workers are not calling them on it.
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8 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Quality Control
Add your comment for Idea: Quality ControlNational Weather Service needs to a top to bottom Quality Control Program.
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13 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Stop the out-of-control creation and growth of multiple layers i
New job positions and new “teams” are constantly being created in administration, and are usually filled by promoting current admin staff. The justification is that these new positions and “teams” are needed in order to provide more efficient and higher quality service. Our experience has been that the level of service, efficiency and common sense all decline with the addition of each layer in the review/approval process ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Stop the out-of-control creation and growth of multiple layers iNew job positions and new “teams” are constantly being created in administration, and are usually filled by promoting current admin staff. The justification is that these new positions and “teams” are needed in order to provide more efficient and higher quality service. Our experience has been that the level of service, efficiency and common sense all decline with the addition of each layer in the review/approval process for personnel, travel, purchasing, and other actions. With each added team or “specialist” comes more micromanaging, more time required for each action because of more opinions as to interpretation of regulations and requirements. Seven or so years ago, our personnel and travel packages for the most part were submitted through our AO and, if more approval was required, on to the next person for final approval. Now, our actions are fine-tooth-combed by Admin Tech, then AO, then on to at least one (but usually many more) ‘team’ who each go over it again and require their own changes/additions based on personal interpretation of guidance more often than not. The addition of these layers has also created an atmosphere of folks feeling defensive and protective of their job duties....because the positions were created unnecessarily and the duties overlap with other positions, which causes a good deal of stepping on toes, duplication of effort, and frustration.
Removing the unnecessary layers, returning to a simpler process, encouraging the use of common sense, I believe can save both money and time.
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9 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Index Federal Salaries
There is no doubt that some Federal employees’ compensation is below the market for what they do, but the same number or more are far above it. The government and unions hide behind the idea that the government employees do much more complex work or have greater responsibility, but we seldom select people for positions based on the requirements of the job; what we us is the vague requirements for a series that we want ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Index Federal SalariesThere is no doubt that some Federal employees’ compensation is below the market for what they do, but the same number or more are far above it. The government and unions hide behind the idea that the government employees do much more complex work or have greater responsibility, but we seldom select people for positions based on the requirements of the job; what we us is the vague requirements for a series that we want to fill a position. In truth, very few jobs in the government do not have a direct private sector counterpart; in fact, the government is reducing the number of government-only jobs through its normal operations and the need to reduce costs (e.g. contract air traffic controllers that work for private sector companies—those are private sector air traffic controllers).
I propose that the Federal Government establish salary indexes for job series that are tied to labor categories in the private sector. Leave out arbitrary increases and ceilings, instead opting to pay workers a fair rate for what they do based on the demand for their skills and skill level. Include incentives for industry certifications (and applicable government counterparts) so that workers are encouraged to increase their value to the organization rather than obtain career status and then “camp out” until retirement. Combined with real performance measures, this will allow the government to get the most bang for its labor buck!
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9 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Create a Comprehensive Communication Plan for government
Successful companies create plans for their various communications. Each aspect of a given communication -- the sender, the message, the channel, and the receiver of the communication -- is analyzed and a plan for greatest effectiveness is written and promulgated. Communication schedules are created to avoid panic and firedrills; effective channels are identified and perfected; receivers of communication (target audiences) ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Create a Comprehensive Communication Plan for governmentSuccessful companies create plans for their various communications. Each aspect of a given communication -- the sender, the message, the channel, and the receiver of the communication -- is analyzed and a plan for greatest effectiveness is written and promulgated. Communication schedules are created to avoid panic and firedrills; effective channels are identified and perfected; receivers of communication (target audiences) are identified, analyzed, and a plan to reach them most effectively is created.
All aspects of communication are included -- internal, external, crisis, media relations, reports, legal filings, etc. Plans are made for receiving communications and dealing with them effectively. With a proper plan, no agency should ever receive important information and leave it on somebody's desk because there's no process in place. Inter-agency processes and channels are created and made efficient.
A well-devised comprehensive communication plan makes any entity more efficient, more responsive, and better prepared for emergencies.
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19 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Retirement Time
Stop relying solely on years and/or age for retirement. I cannot determine how many hours that I have to work each week. My job requires me to work between 60 and 84 hours per week, every week depending on need. I cannot elect to work fewer hours. How many hours should a person have to work in order to reach retirement? Others work 40 hours or less per week. Why should the number of years of service be the factor to determine ...more »
6 comments for Idea: Retirement TimeStop relying solely on years and/or age for retirement. I cannot determine how many hours that I have to work each week. My job requires me to work between 60 and 84 hours per week, every week depending on need. I cannot elect to work fewer hours. How many hours should a person have to work in order to reach retirement? Others work 40 hours or less per week. Why should the number of years of service be the factor to determine when a person reaches retirement rather than the actual amount of real time spent working? Allow a person to reach retirement earlier than is presently the norm based on required hours of service. Efficiencies and effectiveness of the workforce, including health, would improve and costs diminish.
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26 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Results Only Work Environment (ROWE)
2 comments for Idea: Results Only Work Environment (ROWE)Evaluates employees on performance, and not time spent in the office.
The Office of Personnel Management is piloting a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) for 400 employees.
Promote a pilot program for every Federal Agency.
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Voting is Disabled
11 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Send Only Requested Supplies/Laboratory Sample Boxes
Laboratory sample boxes which are expensive to dispatch from labs to inspected facilities and back again are often going back and forth both empty and unnecessarily. There could be better communication among multiple labs (overlap/duplication?) to stop sending cumbersome boxes after a sampling set has been completed. Additionally, I have seen the request and fulfilled obligation to FedEx numerous large boxes from a ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Send Only Requested Supplies/Laboratory Sample BoxesLaboratory sample boxes which are expensive to dispatch from labs to inspected facilities and back again are often going back and forth both empty and unnecessarily. There could be better communication among multiple labs (overlap/duplication?) to stop sending cumbersome boxes after a sampling set has been completed. Additionally, I have seen the request and fulfilled obligation to FedEx numerous large boxes from a plant where they are no longer needed back to the lab, only to have the lab send the boxes all back to the same plant! Why even send the boxes back to the lab when the boxes could be sent directly from the plant not needing them to a plant that needs them. I believe that only sending requested materials rather than arbitrarily sending supplies could save a ton of money, time, and effort.
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12 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Define Bounds of Government by the US Constitution
What is and what has become "government business"? Trim that which is outside of the parameters of the intended design and purpose of the US government and restore the rights of the people to pursue happiness, live, and have liberty. Many have come to realize the multiple burdensome costs of slipping from constitutionality. Funding cowboy poetry or abortions does not form a more perfect Union or promote the general Welfare ...more »
4 comments for Idea: Define Bounds of Government by the US ConstitutionWhat is and what has become "government business"? Trim that which is outside of the parameters of the intended design and purpose of the US government and restore the rights of the people to pursue happiness, live, and have liberty. Many have come to realize the multiple burdensome costs of slipping from constitutionality. Funding cowboy poetry or abortions does not form a more perfect Union or promote the general Welfare or secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity in an indebted nation.
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38 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Base Performance on Productivity, Not Time
The current systems government-wide rely primarily on time spent in the office and perceived “business” to determine productivity rather than objective outcomes that contribute value to agency missions. I propose developing solid, objective performance metrics for each position in the government, and then converting the current hourly systems into true salaried positions. The results will pay back the cost for evaluating ...more »
5 comments for Idea: Base Performance on Productivity, Not TimeThe current systems government-wide rely primarily on time spent in the office and perceived “business” to determine productivity rather than objective outcomes that contribute value to agency missions. I propose developing solid, objective performance metrics for each position in the government, and then converting the current hourly systems into true salaried positions. The results will pay back the cost for evaluating work many times by allowing agencies to:
• Establish and maintain legitimate performance incentive systems
• Eliminate tenure as a part of worker retention (i.e. stop promoting and retaining just because someone has a lot of time in the agency)
• Enable telework as a real strategic option
• Shape work processes to meet true agency needs
• Eliminate unnecessary meetings, conferences, and the like
• Establish and maintain legitimate performance improvement programs
• Creating and managing jobs to achieve maximum employee engagement
• Compare worker value to the organization through objective, “apples to apples” outcomes
• Move or remove unproductive “dead weight” from the payroll
• Allow better job definitions to improve recruitment based on the needs of the job, not just the series that occupies the desk currently
• Facilitate process and performance improvements by recruiting and retaining experts in the actual work done (e.g. hire certified business analysis to do analysis work in business units instead of field technical experts, engineers, or mathematicians)
• Establish meaningful connections between operational and support functions within agencies
• Accurately represent employee expectations, contributions, and best practices
• The list goes on!
It is important to note that significant literature exists regarding the measurement of white-collar productivity, and a lot of the work emphasizes measuring and reporting jobs that are non-routine. The biggest part of making progress in this area is tracing job tasks to higher-level business functions (e.g. interviewing is a task of the HR business function; invoicing is a task of the purchasing business function; etc.). It may require difficult discussions however, because there are meetings and other “busy work” assignments that do not contribute to a business outcome, and it is necessary to eliminate these. In the end, work that does not result in progress in a business function of the agency is not productive.
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35 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Transparency in Performance Based Rewards
2 comments for Idea: Transparency in Performance Based RewardsIn order to promote fairness and improve efficiency, bonuses and raises should be given publicly with reasons to back them up. Few people would complain about rewarding those who deserve it. When everything is kept secret, like it is now, managers are free to show favoritism. That rewards people who haven't earned it and discourages those who try to earn such rewards but do not get them.
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I agree
Voting is Disabled
140 votes
This idea is active.Ideas to Make Other Parts of Government More Efficient and Effective »Initiate 360 Degree Reviews of Supervisors
Too many supervisors in the Federal government lack the skills and training to lead an organization of any size. This said, they still have the ability to evaluate/rate individual staff performance. A 360 review process (which is common in the private sector) would allow staff to provide input into the overall performance appriasal of their supervisor(s). While supervisors are evaluated by their superior, staffers do ...more »
13 comments for Idea: Initiate 360 Degree Reviews of SupervisorsToo many supervisors in the Federal government lack the skills and training to lead an organization of any size. This said, they still have the ability to evaluate/rate individual staff performance. A 360 review process (which is common in the private sector) would allow staff to provide input into the overall performance appriasal of their supervisor(s). While supervisors are evaluated by their superior, staffers do not get the opportunity to rate their supervisor or any other manager above them. This should be changed so that supervisors at all levels are accountable to the staff that they supervise.
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