Think tank calls competitive sourcing a
winning tool for taxpayers
By Elizabeth Newell
enewell@govexec.com August 8,
2008
An annual report from a libertarian think tank highlights
competitive sourcing as a way for the government to save
taxpayers money, despite recent legislative attacks that
have slowed the effort.
The
report, released on Thursday by the Reason Foundation in
Los Angeles, concluded that based on data from the Office of
Management and Budget, "taxpayers are the real winners in
public-private competitions." The report cited OMB figures
indicating that competitive sourcing efforts during the past
five years will save taxpayers $7.2 billion.
"Taxpayers save $25,000 for every job that is put up for
competition because, even when the government keeps the job,
it significantly improves efficiency and reduces costs," the
report stated.
more
Mileage Rate Increases
Effective August 1, the mileage reimbursement rate for federal
employees using their personal vehicles for official business
rose from 50.5 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile. That GSA
action follows a rise in the rate the IRS uses for certain tax
deduction purposes. Rates for motorcycles also increased to the
same amount. The rate for using a privately owned airplane rose
to $1.26 per mile.
