What's new
By:

Fiscal responsibility: suppose the govt "doesn't spend money it doesn't have."

Stoked said:
In a lot more than you would think.
Click to expand...

Really? How many would I think, and what is the accurate percentage? On what do you base your numbers?

I've worked for divisions that carefully understaffed and made do without 11 months, and then when the twelfth month came, saw what was left and invested it. Occasionally not well, but often for genuine upgrades. Is that the behavior to which you refer?
 
PearlWatson said:
Is a public sector person ever in fear for their job based on efficiency? In fact they must find ways to spend the budget they have so they won't lose it the next year.
Click to expand...

Those things can be changed. That is the context in which I agreed.
 
PearlWatson said:
How?
Click to expand...

Just like anything else. An overhaul would be needed, but it can certainly be done.

Programs that get funding need to have a goal, if goals aren't met, there are consequences.

Any decent venture needs a plan, sets of goals, remedies for deficiencies, and known consequences. Most inefficiencies that I find are a result of a lack of one of the aforementioned. Too much passing the buck, otherwise.
 
One Brow said:
Really? How many would I think, and what is the accurate percentage? On what do you base your numbers?

I've worked for divisions that carefully understaffed and made do without 11 months, and then when the twelfth month came, saw what was left and invested it. Occasionally not well, but often for genuine upgrades. Is that the behavior to which you refer?
Click to expand...

I personally know of several large federal agencies that have to blow money every year at all their local offices so they do not loose that money. They do not need the stuff they get but if they don't get something they lose that money.

Edit: So i base my stance on first hand real life experience that says it is the exact opposite of your stance. Now nothing is ever "all" so I am sure there are agancies that are different but I have seen it is more widespread than people think.
 
Stoked said:
I personally know of several large federal agencies that have to blow money every year at all their local offices so they do not loose that money. They do not need the stuff they get but if they don't get something they lose that money.
Click to expand...

This is among my biggest gripes of all. I personally know of what would likely account for, at least, hundreds of millions of dollars annually..
 
PKM said:
I'm not referring to individuals as much as divisions or even entire state budgets (as it related to federal monies).
Just wanted to clarify.
Click to expand...

My point was that, if the money was spent on genuine upgrades that were designed to improve efficiency, it's often a case of "I've managed to save for these items that will really help" rather than "I've got to spend this money needlessly so I can get money I don't need next year". So, merely spending a lot at the end of the fiscal is not necessarily a sign that the spending is wasteful (although I agree some of it will be).
 
PKM said:
This is among my biggest gripes of all. I personally know of what would likely account for, at least, hundreds of millions of dollars annually..
Click to expand...

Yes it would. A small local office in a small town blows several grand. Times that by what 5-10 agencies thru how many towns nationally? How much more would a large office say in downtown Seattle or Houston waste? 20 grand? 30?

Waste is absolutely a HUGE, HUGE problem. The government has enough money. T hey are just incapable, for various reasons, of handling it correctly.
 
PKM said:
Just like anything else. An overhaul would be needed, but it can certainly be done.

Programs that get funding need to have a goal, if goals aren't met, there are consequences.

Any decent venture needs a plan, sets of goals, remedies for deficiencies, and known consequences. Most inefficiencies that I find are a result of a lack of one of the aforementioned. Too much passing the buck, otherwise.
Click to expand...

Who makes these goals in government agencies and make sure they are met?
They can't even agree on lame *** goals about leaving no child behind in government schools, and they keep lowering the bar when schools fail.
 
One Brow said:
My point was that, if the money was spent on genuine upgrades that were designed to improve efficiency, it's often a case of "I've managed to save for these items that will really help" rather than "I've got to spend this money needlessly so I can get money I don't need next year". So, merely spending a lot at the end of the fiscal is not necessarily a sign that the spending is wasteful (although I agree some of it will be).
Click to expand...

If they are buying things that they do not need just so they do not lose that money it is absolutely wasteful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page
Back
Top