Some analysts, managers and lawmakers say the office should be split into two offices - one to oversee the budget, the other to oversee management reforms. You re never going to get anywhere without a separate federal-management office, said Ronald Moe of the Congressional Research Service. Lawmakers have criticized OMB for not doing more to lead reform efforts mandated by laws such as the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act, which requires agencies to set performance goals and measure their progress in meeting those goals and the impact that performance has on the country. 518 full-time employees focus on management issues, said Director Jacob Lew at an April 7 congressional hearing. Rep. Steve Horn, R-Calif., is crafting legislation that would separate the two offices, giving more time and staff to management issues.
Some observers see at least one hole in Horn s plan.
They say separating the two would take the teeth out of reform mandates, since OMB can use its budget oversight authority to force agencies to carry out reforms. Others say such legislation would not improve government management. The real impetus behind management improvements lies outside of OMB, said John Koskinen, a former OMB deputy director. Koskinen recommends that the next president make each agency s deputy secretary a chief operating officer charged with overseeing management reforms. Some agencies already have done this.