The Social Media Subcouncil Asks: What’s in a Name?

When it comes to social media, how you position your brand goes a long way for conveying authenticity and trust. Social media naming conventions are equally important for government agencies as they are for celebrities, commercial entities, and other branded organizations. Prior to commencing activity in the social space, it’s important for government communicators toRead… Read more »

Federal Eye: Locke Assures Senators on Census, DTV Switch

Former Washington State governor Gary Locke expressed his full commitment to helping restore the nation’s economic health and stated that he was prepared to address the challenges facing the Commerce Department during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee today. “We must rebuild, retool and reinvent our national strategies for sustained economic success,” LockeRead… Read more »

Transformation of DOD’s Business Systems

The Department of Defense launched an ambitious effort to transform its vast network of back office mission support systems in 2001. It has since invested large amounts of funding in the effort. What progress has the initiative achieved to date? What has been its impact? Should the new Administration continue the existing effort, terminate it,Read… Read more »

A Suggestion for what “Transparency” looks like

Transparency. It’s the buzz word around the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the planned disbursement, tracking and reporting of the $787 billion federal stimulus package to states. Every state and many local jurisdictions have responded in some way to the transparency requirements (page 9) outlined by the federal government. As transparency can beRead… Read more »

Oversight and the Stimulus Law

This event is still several weeks away, but with all of the talk about ARRA, government oversight, and transparency, I thought people might be interested in the AABPA April Program Meeting; open to members and non-members. Oversight and the Stimulus Law In the months following the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),Read… Read more »

New Food Safety Twitter Channel @USDAFoodSafety

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has launched its first official Twitter channel @USDAFoodSafety (www.twitter.com/USDAFoodSafety). FSIS will provide food safety education and information to followers. The account will be used to share food safety education materials, provide information on recalls and news releases and will be monitored for any questions from other Twitter users.

Federal Eye: Suggested Questions for Gary Locke

Some thought this day might never come! Today the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for former Washington Gov. Gary Locke (D), President Obama’s third pick to serve as commerce secretary. The former county executive, who in recent years has worked on China and energy issues for a Seattle-area lawRead… Read more »

Decentralized, Delegated Disappointments

The spouse of a friend of mine was denied a visa yesterday. Knowing something of the visa system myself I had explained how the system worked and given reassurances about the professionalism of the consular officer. And, ultimately, while I have no doubt about the officer’s professionalism, it’s clear that the officer’s approach was differentRead… Read more »

You’ve got Tim O’Reilly and Gov 2.0 in a Room …

What do you want to know? Steve Ressler of GovLoop and Steve Lunceford of GovTwit and BearingPoint in conversation with the founder of O’Reilly Media and the voice of Web 2.0. He’s crashing DC in September with the Gov 2.0 Summit, and we’re talking to him Sunday, 2 p.m., on BlogTalkRadio. I’m down with O’Reilly’sRead… Read more »