Contract From America

[tryfuhl]

Every dept of the government should find ways and submit reports on how they can help the overall budget reduce

Everything from less expensive furniture, travel and entertainment expenses, etc

If we expect it from the banks that we bail out, we should expect it from the fed that we're bailing out as well.. states shouldn't be exempt either

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Every dept of the government should find ways and submit reports on how they can help the overall budget reduce

Everything from less expensive furniture, travel and entertainment expenses, etc

If we expect it from the banks that we bail out, we should expect it from the fed that we're bailing out as well.. states shouldn't be exempt either

The way the goverment budgets money has to be changed first before we can expect them to save any money. They reward spending and punish saving. For example if a goverment department has a budget of 1 milion and at the end of the year they have only spent $800,000 then their next year budget is $800,000 plus a % for inflation. Now if they spent the entire 1 million then their following budget would be 1 million plus a % for inflation. There is no incentive to cut cost. We need some type of incentive or bonus plan for people who can find ways to cut cost. I say just cut every program by a certain % and they will learn to make do on what they have. We have to start somewhere but no one wants there program cut so start by cutting all of them first.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by firstdown

The way the goverment budgets money has to be changed first before we can expect them to save any money. They reward spending and punish saving. For example if a goverment department has a budget of 1 milion and at the end of the year they have only spent $800,000 then their next year budget is $800,000 plus a % for inflation. Now if they spent the entire 1 million then their following budget would be 1 million plus a % for inflation. There is no incentive to cut cost. We need some type of incentive or bonus plan for people who can find ways to cut cost. I say just cut every program by a certain % and they will learn to make do on what they have. We have to start somewhere but no one wants there program cut so start by cutting all of them first.

Exactly, which is why finding a better operating budget is important. Making them fit within a guideline would be fine.

I have a friend whose aunt works for a state agency in VA and to keep their budget up they replace their entire office carpet and some furniture every single year. Something tells me that if you need to spend all of your budget just to keep it, you didn't really need it, so I more than agree with you.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Exactly, which is why finding a better operating budget is important. Making them fit within a guideline would be fine.

I have a friend whose aunt works for a state agency in VA and to keep their budget up they replace their entire office carpet and some furniture every single year. Something tells me that if you need to spend all of your budget just to keep it, you didn't really need it, so I more than agree with you.

That scenario is not only commonplace in any agency that receives Gov't funding, it's the standard.

Infuriating. There are ALWAYS frivilous spending sprees in December so their next year of appropriations won't be reduced.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Every dept of the government should find ways and submit reports on how they can help the overall budget reduce

Everything from less expensive furniture, travel and entertainment expenses, etc

If we expect it from the banks that we bail out, we should expect it from the fed that we're bailing out as well.. states shouldn't be exempt either

Last year the President ordered such a review from Cabinet members and each government agency. It was met with skepticism, but at least he's trying to address the issue.

Analysis: Obama saving money the easy way - White House- msnbc.com