Priorities for Policy Makers – Our App for Government on the Go
Posted on November 10, 2016
The election is over. The transition is here. But how will new executive branch leaders and new congressional staff decide where to start? As policymakers shift gears from campaigning to governing, they need to quickly learn about their new positions and the challenges before them.
That’s why we launched our “Priorities for Policy Makers” app—available on the App Store® or Google Play™.
Our app helps users quickly find what the priority recommendations are from GAO—recommendations to improve government operations across almost every major agency. Each year, we make hundreds of recommendations to federal agencies on how they can save money and perform better. The apps give access to our “priority recs”—those that offer an immediate opportunity to improve government operations and reduce costs.
Watch Comptroller General Gene Dodaro explain our role, our new app, and other resources we’re making available for the 2017 transition:
Our app helps tackle the federal government’s biggest issues
Busy leaders can learn about some of the biggest problems facing the nation—and how to fix them—on the go. And the public can find out what leaders should focus on so they can be held accountable.
We recently sat down with Chuck Young, managing director of our Office of Public Affairs, to discuss how our app meets these needs:
As he mentioned, the app is one way we are helping users
Another is our High Risk list. Our list calls attention to agencies and programs at high risk because they are vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement—or are in need of total transformation.
For example, our list includes VA health care, DOD financial management, and funding for the nation’s highways and rail systems. We outline why areas are on the list and, more importantly, what they need to do to get off of it. We update this list at the start of each new Congress and will do so again in February, 2017.
We also have a section on Key Issues. If you’re looking to quickly get up to speed on a broad area, such as information security or tax policy, you can explore our Key Issues by topic or agency.
And lastly, you’ll want to check out our Management Agenda if you’re interested in the most critical management challenges facing the federal government—including the need to strengthen cybersecurity and enhance civic engagement. The Agenda lays out broad problems, and provides specific solutions.
Whether you’re new to the Hill, preparing to join an agency, or just a concerned citizen, our app has got you covered. And it’s free! Download it today.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
Questions on the content of this post? Contact Chuck Young at youngc1@gao.gov.
Comments on GAO’s WatchBlog? Contact blog@gao.gov.
GAO's mission is to provide Congress with fact-based, nonpartisan information that can help improve federal government performance and ensure accountability for the benefit of the American people. GAO launched its WatchBlog in January, 2014, as part of its continuing effort to reach its audiences—Congress and the American people—where they are currently looking for information.
The blog format allows GAO to provide a little more context about its work than it can offer on its other social media platforms. Posts will tie GAO work to current events and the news; show how GAO’s work is affecting agencies or legislation; highlight reports, testimonies, and issue areas where GAO does work; and provide information about GAO itself, among other things.
Please send any feedback on GAO's WatchBlog to blog@gao.gov.
Available on the App Store ®
Available on Google Play ™