Anyone that thinks Gummint is capable of running anything needs to look at the Finalists for this year’s SAVE award. These are the BEST ideas for saving the government money. 2 of the 4 involve emailing rather than snail mail and 1 involves taking electronic payments rather than checks at ports of entry.
While these are fine ideas, why oh why do they need to be raised to the level of the White House and why haven’t they been implemented 20 years ago?
This is the email I received:
"The White House info@messages.whitehouse.gov via service.govdelivery.com
Dec 19 (11 days ago)
to me
The White House Thursday, December 19, 2013
You vote: Who has the best idea?
A few days ago, we announced the finalists for this yearâ??s SAVE Award (Securing Americans Values and Efficiency) and thousands have already voted for their favorite to be this year’s winner. If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time: Voting is open until 12:00 PM EST on Friday, December 20, 2013.
Since 2009, the Presidentâ??s SAVE Award has been an opportunity for Federal workers to share their ideas for making government work better and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Their simple, yet innovative, ideas are saving money and represent common-sense steps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government. The winner will present their idea to the President in the Oval Office and other proposals will be sent to agencies for potential action or inclusion in the Presidentâ??s FY 2015 Budget.
Cast your vote for the 2013 SAVE Award today.
Here are the 2013 finalists:`
Kenneth Siehr, Online Tracking of Veterans Mail Prescription Deliveries. The Department of Veterans Affairs sends the majority of outpatient prescriptions to patients via mail. Currently, in order for Veterans to track the delivery of mailed prescription medications they must call their local VA Medical Center directly. Kenneth recommends saving pharmacy staff time and enhancing customer service by making the package tracking information available to Veterans online through the Veterans Health Administrationâ??s existing web-based portal, MyHealtheVet.
Patrick Mindiola, Electronic Passport Notification. The State Department sends thousands of Information Request Letters (IRLs) in response to passport applications via regular mail. These mailings delay the processing time for applications and result in unnecessary added costs. Patrick recommends saving time and money by responding via email first, requesting any additional information needed and asking the applicants to verify submitted information. Mail notifications would be used only when email addresses are missing or returned, or if no response is received.
Dirk Renner, Share Certifications Across Agencies. Dirk has worked for multiple federal agencies and recently found out that his USDA Forest Service All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) training was not transferable to the Department of the Interiorâ??s Fish and Wildlife Service, where he now works. Dirk recommends allowing comparable agency certifications to transfer from agency to agency or between departments. This change would save time and reduce duplicative training and travel costs for employees across the government.
Buyar Hayrula, Collect Custom Fines and Penalties Online. Buyar suggests creating a secure website to allow Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists to collect payments by credit card at land ports of entry. Currently, payment requests are often sent via mail when a cashier is not available. Automating this payment process would increase revenue collections and operational efficiencies at CBP while also helping reduce wait times for individuals entering the U.S. at land ports of entry.
Vote for your favorite at WH.gov/Save-Award.
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