On the Ballot What DOGE can learn from Clinton's effort to 'reinvent government' in the '90s
6 snips
Jan 28, 2025 
Dr. Elaine Kamarck, the founding director at the Brookings Institution and key leader of the Clinton-era National Performance Review, revisits the push to make government more efficient. She discusses the parallels between her work in the '90s and the current efforts surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency. The conversation highlights the complexities of federal budget management, the symbolic hurdles of reform, and the critical need for strategic communication and cooperation among government employees to achieve meaningful change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Clinton's 'Reinventing Government' Initiative
- When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, public opinion of the Democratic Party was low.
- Clinton promised to reinvent government, a key initiative led by Vice President Al Gore.
Internal Review and Key Outcomes
- The National Performance Review involved a thorough internal review, with cross-agency teams evaluating performance and gathering insights from staff.
- This approach yielded 400 recommendations and led to substantial cuts in personnel and regulations, as well as improved customer service.
Understanding Mandatory Spending
- Mandatory spending, primarily comprising programs like Social Security and Medicare, is fixed by statute.
- Altering mandatory spending requires changing the law, not just adjusting the annual budget.