NCJ Number
63689
Journal
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Volume: 85 Issue: 11 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 18, 1978) Pages: 29-33
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO CAPITOL HILL, AWARENESS GROWS THAT MUCH OF TODAY'S TAX REVOLT IS AIMED AT GOVERNMENT LACK OF CONCERN ABOUT THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT DISAPPEAR THROUGH WASTE, FRAUD, AND BUREAUCRATIC ABUSE.
Abstract
AUTHORITIES ESTIMATE THAT FRAUD ALONE COSTS TAXPAYERS AS MUCH AS $25 BILLION A YEAR, AND THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT WASTED THROUGH FRAUD, WASTE, AND BUREAUCRATIC INEFFICIENCES MAY WELL EXCEED $50 BILLION A YEAR--ABOUT TRIPLE THE TAX REDUCTION NOW MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS. CAUSES INCLUDE EXCESSIVE PAPER WORK, OVERSTAFFING, OVERPAYING, LOW PRODUCTIVITY, AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE INEFFICIENCIES; AGENCY OVERPAYMENT FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES FROM PRIVATE CONTRACTORS; COSTLY DUPLICATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; AGENCIES THAT APPEAR OUTDATED, POORLY CONCEIVED OR EXPENSIVE; AND EXCESSIVE SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS OF FEDERAL WORKERS. SOME PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, HOWEVER. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ABOLISHED MORE THAN 300 APPARENTLY USELESS ADVISORY COMMISSIONS, IS TRYING TO ELIMINATE OR CONSOLIDATE OTHER AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS, AND HAS IMPROVED HANDLING PROCEDURES FOR IDLE CASH IN FEDERAL AGENCIES. PROBLEMS IN ELIMINATING WASTEFUL PRACTICES, HOWEVER, STILL EXIST. THEY INCLUDE OFFICIAL RESISTANCE TO ENDING GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES IN PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION CAUSED BY VARIOUS EXCEPTIONS AND WAIVERS, USELESS PROJECTS, GENERAL WASTE AND LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, HIGH FEDERAL EMPLOYEE SALARIES COUPLED WITH A SLOWER RATE OF PRODUCTIVITY THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND CONGRESSIONAL PERQUISITES. A NUMBER OF STATES AND CITIES HAVE MADE COST-CUTTING INNOVATIONS INCLUDING SAVINGS ON ANNUAL AUTO-LICENSE PLATE ISSUING IN FLORIDA, HIRING TEMPORARY CLERICAL HELP FOR PEAK PERIODS IN KANSAS CITY, MO., AND CONSOLIDATING PURCHASING OF SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN GEORGIA. (AOP)