GAO Transition Priorities for the New Administration

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) (no joke, there really is such a thing), has established a website to help the new administration and the new Congress with the transition by listing recommendations for addressing issues facing the country. Drawing upon its institutional knowledge, the GAO site provides key reports for further research and contact information for GAO experts.

Issues the GAO identify as urgent include:

• Oversight of financial institutions and markets
• U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Protecting the homeland
• Undisciplined defense spending
• Improving the U.S. image abroad
• Finalizing plans for the 2010 Census
• Caring for service members
• Preparing for public health emergencies
• Revamping oversight of food safety
• Restructuring the approach to surface transportation
• Retirement of the Space Shuttle
• Ensuring an effective transition to digital TV, and
• Rebuilding military readiness

The site lists agency-by-agency issues, cost-cutting opportunities, management challenges, and provides a model for the country's long term fiscal outlook. Information regarding FraudNET, the government's provision to report mismanagement of funds is also provided.