Glenn Quagmire
Veteran
- Apr 30, 2012
- 4,809
- 4,343
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/10/congress-federal-budget-continuing-resolution-000270
Very in-depth article on how bad it is to run the government with continuing resolutions.
"Under the rules of a CR, federal agencies cant recruit or hire new staff; grants to states and local agencies are delayed. New programs cant begin. And if this all sounds heartening to the less government is better crowd, there are special penalties for them as well. Millions of taxpayer dollars get wasted from the accumulated inefficiencies; thousands of paid work hours are squandered planning for budget scenarios that dont end up happening. And dead-weight programs that departments want to cutyes, this really happens in governmentcant be cut. Under a CR, you could literally go to jail for saving taxpayer money."
"Normally the government can save by buying in bulk; under an appropriations bill lasting a full fiscal year, agencies can enter into new contracts or extend their options on existing agreements. This helps them lock in discounts and exploit the governments purchasing power.
"Not under a CR, especially a short one that lasts only a couple of weeks or months. Instead of paying up front for multiple big-ticket items such as fighter jets, electronic baggage screeners or medical services for a federal prison, the government is limited to shorter-term orders that come with higher price tags. Government workers waste time having to fill out repetitive contracts reflecting each short burst of funding they get under a CR."
"Several budget veterans told me that they welcome federal departments being more mindful of their spending habits. Thats a mantra that permeates both Democratic and Republican administrations. But a competing refrain boiled down to this: Operating during a CR, or under the perpetual threat of one, leads to hesitant, backward-looking thinking that would never be duplicated in the business world."
"Unquestionably, it causes [government] deep headaches trying to plan, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican, told me. Thats the case we try to make to our membership here. The CR is the worst possible way to do business. Obviously, thats not carried the day."
Very short-sighted. And for all of you who think that this is "less government", you are not paying attention.
Very in-depth article on how bad it is to run the government with continuing resolutions.
"Under the rules of a CR, federal agencies cant recruit or hire new staff; grants to states and local agencies are delayed. New programs cant begin. And if this all sounds heartening to the less government is better crowd, there are special penalties for them as well. Millions of taxpayer dollars get wasted from the accumulated inefficiencies; thousands of paid work hours are squandered planning for budget scenarios that dont end up happening. And dead-weight programs that departments want to cutyes, this really happens in governmentcant be cut. Under a CR, you could literally go to jail for saving taxpayer money."
"Normally the government can save by buying in bulk; under an appropriations bill lasting a full fiscal year, agencies can enter into new contracts or extend their options on existing agreements. This helps them lock in discounts and exploit the governments purchasing power.
"Not under a CR, especially a short one that lasts only a couple of weeks or months. Instead of paying up front for multiple big-ticket items such as fighter jets, electronic baggage screeners or medical services for a federal prison, the government is limited to shorter-term orders that come with higher price tags. Government workers waste time having to fill out repetitive contracts reflecting each short burst of funding they get under a CR."
"Several budget veterans told me that they welcome federal departments being more mindful of their spending habits. Thats a mantra that permeates both Democratic and Republican administrations. But a competing refrain boiled down to this: Operating during a CR, or under the perpetual threat of one, leads to hesitant, backward-looking thinking that would never be duplicated in the business world."
"Unquestionably, it causes [government] deep headaches trying to plan, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican, told me. Thats the case we try to make to our membership here. The CR is the worst possible way to do business. Obviously, thats not carried the day."
Very short-sighted. And for all of you who think that this is "less government", you are not paying attention.
