Author Archive

Patrice McDermott

Digital Government

A bill that protects

Whistle-blowers represent an important tradition of challenging abuses of power.

Digital Government

GAO fails to deliver

On March 16 the GAO released this report: 'Progress in Implementing the 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments.'

Digital Government

Cash for a real investment

The e-government fund could advance the promises of technology.

Digital Government

Affront to the First Amendment

On Nov. 4, President Bill Clinton vetoed the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal 2001. He did so because one of its sections would have created an 'official secrets act' for the first time in U.S. history.

People

Beware industry 'principles'

If you have not felt the slaps, you will soon. The challenges issued for the most part by industry associations over the appropriate role of government in the age of egovernment have begun in earnest.

Digital Government

Two transforming studies

'May you live in interesting times' is often said as a curse. But sometimes, 'interesting times' present opportunities as well as challenges. This particular moment appears to be one of those.

People

FirstGov: All bark, no bite

We were hopeful about the plan that set out to develop a World Wide Web service to ?quot;promote access to government information organized not by agency, but by the type of service or information that people may be seeking.?quot;

Digital Government

Reading between the lines

The comment period recently closed on the proposed revisions to the Office of Management and Budget's Circular A130 the central rule for federal information system management to bring it into accord with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Electronic Freedom of Information Act amendments and the ClingerCohen Act. It is clearly the intent of Congress to ensure public access to information about agency activities.

Digital Government

Fight the online silence

'Governmentenforced silence is more dangerous to our nation than thousands of unregulated voices.'

People

Ignore e-records at own risk

The rule of thumb in official Washington is never say or do anything you would not want to have show up in The Washington Post. Add to that: Never don't do something that will land you in The Washington Post.

People

Online but off-target

Last December, President Clinton wrote in his Memorandum on Electronic Government that 'as public awareness and Internet usage increase, the demand for online government interaction and simplified, standardized ways to access government information and services becomes increasingly important.'

Digital Government

Third time's a charm

If President Clinton's fiscal 2001 budget, due to be released today, is anything like past budgets, substantial investments in information technology and calls for improved IT management will be included.