“Setting high standards for the federal government” says Schatz

(Washington, D.C.) Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today applauded the Department of State for their improved ranking in the Mercatus Center at George Mason University's sixth annual Performance Report Scorecard.

“The Department of State has experienced a remarkable turnaround, especially in its transparency and public benefits,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “State’s improvement since 1999 sets the bar for what other Federal agencies are capable of.”   

The top 24 federal agencies are required to publish an annual performance report under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GRPA), which CAGW was actively involved in supporting.  The goal of GPRA was to improve accountability and transparency within government.

"CAGW has been a leading advocate in the call for greater accountability in government," Schatz said.  "Legislation such as GRPA allows taxpayers to determine whether and where they are getting their money's worth."

The Mercatus Center uses the reports filed by the 24 agencies and ranks them based on transparency, public benefits, and leadership.  Agencies are given scores out of 20 points, with a maximum score of 60 and a minimum of 12.  The Department of Labor once again was top ranked with 50 points.  The Department of State’s ascent to 2^nd place is notable given its 20^th place ranking in 1999.  Also of note is State receiving 18 points in the transparency category – the highest of any department.  Rounding out the bottom of the rankings are the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense and with 27 and 21 points respectively. 

"The Mercatus Center provides a valuable tool for taxpayers to better understand and evaluate government performance," Schatz concluded.  "It is a benefit to everyone when watchdog organizations demand more accountability from the government.  Now, Congress needs to review the Mercatus report and other evaluations of federal performance and hold agencies accountable through the appropriations process."

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.