OMB News 
Top News
- Congress pressures agencies to speed up office consolidations
- Katherine Archuleta chosen as next OPM director
- Data breach puts DHS workers at risk of identity theft
- DoD chooses interoperability over integration for new e-health system
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- OMB fuels synergy between mobile, open data
- IRS official Lerner: 'I did nothing wrong'
- Accountability breakdown leading factor in DoD sexual assaults
- OMB reworking financial system requirements
- Federal retirement funds temporarily tapped
- VanRoekel to lead OMB management team
- Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal finalists
- Thursday federal headlines - May 23, 2013
OMB to increase IT project oversight with improved dashboard
Federal Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel said agency technology managers will receive reports on the accuracy of the data they put in the portal. The Office of Management and Budget will use the reports to spot possible problematic projects. Version two of the IT Dashboard also will offer more information on specific projects that fall under a bigger investment category.
Watchdog board adopts new strategic plan
The Merit Systems Protection Board has come up with new strategic plan for the next four years which updates the agency's mission and vision statements and includes new strategic goals.
OMB upgrades IT Dashboard with new tools, better data
The portal provides more access to individual agency projects, lets departments find duplication and improves overall data quality. OMB also has published the source code for the public to use.
Grassley, Issa call for review of federal policies for using personal email
In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Jeff Zients, the two lawmakers say the Food and Drug Administration lawsuit raises broader questions about how other agencies monitor employee use of personal email. The House and Senate members want OMB to conduct a governmentwide analysis of these policies.
OMB builds strategy to better target grant fraud, error and waste
The Obama administration has released a set of proposals it hopes will improve the oversight of grant programs. Danny Werfel, controller at the Office of Management and Budget, told Federal News Radio why the changes are necessary.
Lack of movement in SES ranks hurting agencies
The Senior Executive Service was created to produce strong federal managers and leaders who would move within and across agencies, to help better meet the nation's needs. But three decades after the creation of the SES, nearly half of the more than 7,700 current members have stayed in the same position throughout their SES careers, according to a new report.
Congress blames itself for duplicative programs
Faced with a 423-page report from the Government Accountability Office detailing potential duplication, fragmentation and overlap in nearly every corner of government, lawmakers pointed a finger at themselves for reducing oversight of federal programs and trying to fix problems without understanding what solutions the government already offered.
One year later: Experts weigh in on GPRA modernization
Panel discussion guests include Lisa Danzig, director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Management at Housing and Urban Development; Seth Harris, deputy secretary of Labor Department; Robert Shea, principal at Grant Thornton and former associate director for Administration and Government Performance at the Office of Management and Budget.
DHS wants to ride commercial wave for interoperable radio network
After a decade of unsuccessful attempts, including the Justice Department's Integrated Wireless Network, the Homeland Security Department wants to leap forward with technology by using commercial 4G networks to connect law enforcement agencies. DHS created a joint program office to lead the effort. The approach is part of OMB's shared services initiative for agencies to work together on big programs.
OMB reports contract spending stayed flat in 2011
A new report shows agencies already cut the use of management-support contracts by 7 percent in 2011. OMB details four focus areas to continue to reduce spending on contracts for 2012.
Van Dyck joins OMB to work on mobile, .gov reform efforts
Van Dyck comes to the E-Government and IT office to work as a policy analyst after working at the FCC and most recently USAID.
White House unveils new trade initiatives, website as first steps in agency overhaul
Just days after President Barack Obama officially asked Congress for the authority to consolidate federal agencies, the administration has announced interim steps it will take to promote business and trade. They include the launch of a website focused on making it easier for businesses — particularly small ones — to work with the government.
Obama formally seeks agency-consolidation authority
President Barack Obama has officially asked lawmakers for the authority to consolidate and reorganize federal agencies as part of a first-step in merging several agencies related to business and trade. If Congress approves the legislation, Obama has said his first step would be to merge several business- and trade-related agencies into a single Cabinet-level department.
Werfel shares State of the Union for Financial Management
Danny Werfel, controller at the Office of Management and Budget, spoke to The Federal Drive with Tom Temin from the Association of Government Accountants National Leadership conference, where he'll deliver a report on federal finance.
GOP critics hit Obama's $3.8 trillion budget
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress Tuesday that the president's new $3.8 trillion spending plan would impose new taxes on only 2 percent of the nation's wealthiest families and the alternative would be to seek more painful cuts in other government programs such as defense, Social Security and Medicare.
White House threatens veto of GOP's highway bill
After years of procrastination, the White House and Congress have suddenly boosted a long-term plan to improve the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems to the top of the political agenda.
Tightening budgets renew OMB's push for IT project oversight
Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel said he will send SWAT teams to fix problematic technology projects. OMB also will ramp up monthly TechStat sessions. The governmentwide IT budget request drops almost $600 million.
White House doesn't support sequestration, sees it as forcing function
The 2013 budget request reduces half of the agency's discretionary spending. All agencies could face deeper cuts if Congress and the administration don't agree on a plan for deficit reduction in the next 11 months.
Obama promotes job training at community college
President Barack Obama called on Congress Monday to create an $8 billion fund to train community college students for high-growth industries, giving a financial incentive to schools whose graduates are getting jobs.
President's 2013 budget focuses on federal performance, cuts to waste
The President's fiscal 2013 budget requests calls on agencies to "redouble" efforts to cut wasteful spending through government reorganization and cuts to improper payments.
