The study by the Coalition for Effective Change calls on Congress to reflect on the outcomes of the reductions in the 1990s as it drives policies today, noting that federal agencies often cannot on their own apportion resources and need specific authorities.
It further calls on Congress to make some tough, fundamental decisions guided by a discussion of the role of the federal government as it decides to fund and staff agencies appropriately to carry out their missions. If cuts are needed they should be considered in the context of those fundamental agency missions, even up to the point of reducing an agency mandate in proportion.
Congress also should determine the proper mix of federal employees, political appointees and contractors in deciding whether workforce cuts really are necessary – and if they are, it must ensure agencies are equipped to train employees for new duties they may take on as a result, the study said.
As many managers are well aware as they face cuts imposed by sequestration, the study argues that across-the-board cuts prevent strategic succession planning, and concludes that agency performance goals and measures must be weighed in determining what’s working and what’s not when deciding where to cut back resources.
