The Ultimate Option: Privatization/Outsourcing
THE DOWNSIZING REPORT
Ever since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980,
conservatives have held out privatization as the cure for many
of the federal government's ills, from management inefficiency
to the budget deficit. But privatization has always been a
political minefield. Members of Congress -- Republicans as
well as Democrats -- have long been leery of turning over
programs that benefit their constituents to the vagaries of the
private market. Congress has barred many agencies from even
studying how to privatize their operations. "It isn't hard to find
privatization ideas," says Rep. Scott Klug, R-Wis. "It's hard to convince folks who
have been whipped and beaten to take one more run at it."
from Government For Sale (June 1995)
None of Your Business (May 1997)
Business groups want to stop agencies from branching out into their turf as many agencies begin seeing their appropriations shrink and try selling their services to other agencies and private firms to make up for the cuts.
Uranium, Inc. (April 1997)
The effort to sell off the U.S. Enrichment Corp. highlights the pitfalls of trying to privatize a government function, especially one with national security implications.
IRS Studies Privatization (January 1997)
The IRS ponders outsourcing tax collection as a way to heal the ailing agency.
Goodbye to Government (November 1996)
Will it be a GOGO, a GOCO, or a COCO?
Outsourcers (November 1996)
Regulatory changes have made it easier than ever for agencies to contract out information technology.
Privatizing Space (September 1996)
Congress tries to rocket through privatization of many of NASA's functions.
Going Out of Business (May 1996)
Officials charged with closing down their agencies walk a fine line between losing good employees, easing the fears of those left behind and trying to get the remaining work done.
Downsizing: Temps Step In (May 1996)
Outsourcing has given some temporary services a booming business.
The Hard Sell (February 1996)
As federal managers struggle to satisfy the push to sell off government operations, they are hogtied by laws, regulations and even congressional opposition.
Saving Energy (January 1996)
Hazel O'Leary has fended off the abolitionists for now, but the question remains: Does the Energy Department really have a future worth preserving?
Government For Sale (June 1995)
Republican leaders and the Clinton Administration agree on one
thing: The government should put many of its functions on the auction block.
Government Inc. (February 1995)
Turning federal functions over to government corporations is increasingly popular. But experts warn there are pitfalls.
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