All articles tagged with #government services
The Trump administration has outlined plans for a potential government shutdown, including mass firings of federal workers and suspension of certain services, with disagreements in Congress over funding preventing an agreement to avoid the shutdown.
Federal workers face uncertainty and potential unpaid layoffs as the government approaches a shutdown due to unresolved budget issues, with some agencies preparing contingency plans amid White House threats of further layoffs and minimal public communication, raising concerns about disruptions to government services and the well-being of federal employees.
Federal and state officials are investigating a ransomware attack in Nevada that disrupted key government services and resulted in data theft, with ongoing efforts to analyze the stolen information and restore security, involving CISA and FBI assistance.
The Social Security Administration is urging users who created their "my Social Security" accounts before September 18, 2021, to update to a Login.gov account to continue accessing online services. This update aims to streamline services and reduce long wait times for the agency's national phone number.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been confirmed as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, ending a two-year leadership drought. O'Malley's appointment comes after President Biden ousted Trump appointee Andrew Saul from the post in 2021. The agency has faced challenges such as long wait times, a backlog of disability determinations, and chronic underfunding. O'Malley aims to modernize the organization, improve collaboration, and enhance efficiency. Despite initial Republican opposition, O'Malley received support from three Republican senators. He plans to prioritize the needs of beneficiaries and the agency's workforce.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is prioritizing automation and federal employee satisfaction to improve public-facing services and provide a "digital-first" experience. OMB officials and agency leaders emphasize the importance of empowering federal employees and building trust with them to enhance customer service. OMB is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools to improve federal services online, including rewriting website content for search engine optimization. The agency is implementing "digital experience indicators" to track agencies' progress in providing a digital-first customer experience and ensuring website accessibility. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is linking employee engagement to better patient experience, and the VA's CX priorities include reaching out to veterans who are new to the VA. OMB plans to hold a governmentwide CXO summit in early 2024 to address common challenges.
On Veterans Day 2023, major banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and TD Bank will be closed, while Citibank's hours may vary by location. UPS will operate as usual, but FedEx Ground, FedEx Ground Economy, and FedEx Freight will be closed. The United States Postal Service will also be closed, with no mail delivery or retail services. Government services and libraries may vary by location, so it's important to double-check. Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Kroger will be open, but alternate hours may apply.
The US is facing a debt crisis that could have a devastating impact on small businesses, with 65% of them believing they would be negatively affected by a default. Small businesses that contract directly with the federal government, service government properties, and rely on government services would be the first to feel the impact. The longer-term effects could be even more devastating, with credit and financial markets becoming volatile and banks limiting financing to only the most secure customers. Small business owners should prepare by hoarding cash, confirming credit availability, and communicating with customers, suppliers, employees, and partners.
Dallas-based engineering firm Jacobs is planning to split its operations, creating a separate company for its government services business. The split will result in two independent companies with the larger firm continuing Jacobs’ traditional consulting, planning, engineering and design work. Jacob’s critical mission solutions division will be separated into a new company with more than $4 billion in annual revenue. The split is expected to be completed next year.
Liechtenstein's Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Daniel Risch, has announced plans to accept Bitcoin as payment for government services, although he did not give a timeframe. The country is unlikely to hold onto the Bitcoin it receives, instead immediately exchanging it for Swiss francs to avoid volatility. Liechtenstein is part of the European Economic Area, where the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation could apply, attracting more crypto firms to the region. The country follows a similar course to nearby Swiss communities of Zug and Lugano, which accept Bitcoin for some taxes and public services.
Liechtenstein's Prime Minister, Daniel Risch, has reportedly announced plans to add bitcoin as a payment option for government services. Any crypto received will likely be immediately exchanged for Swiss francs, the country's national currency. Although crypto is currently considered too volatile to entrust portions of the country's multi-billion dollar annual savings, Risch signaled that this assessment could change in the future.
A new study by WalletHub has found that Republican-led red states use taxpayers' money more effectively to provide superior government services than Democrat-led blue states. The study used 29 metrics to compare the quality and efficiency of state government services across five categories, taking into account the different rates at which residents are taxed in each state. Red states yield a better return on investment for taxpayers, ranking on average significantly higher than their blue state counterparts. The study seems to indicate that states with higher taxes don't necessarily provide superior government services.