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OPA News Release: [04/15/2005]
Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Camille Anderson
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 orx7909
Release Number: 05-680-NAT

Labor Department Earns Number One Ranking on Federal Performance Report Scorecard

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has, for the third year in a row, received number one ranking on George Mason University Mercatus Center's 6th Annual Performance Report Scorecard for the federal government. The Center announced the results of its assessment today.

"The Department of Labor is proud to have the Mercatus Center recognize us the third year in a row as the top federal agency in communicating to the public how we utilize taxpayers' dollars and why," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The scoring regimen raises the bar every year, so being a repeat winner is a great distinction and credit to the department's hard-working men and women."

Each year, the Mercatus Center assesses federal agencies' transparency of communications with the general public, identification and assessment of public benefits provided by the agency and its leadership and vision for the future. Through its dedication to raising the standards of reporting on the results of government programs, the Mercatus Center plays a valuable role in enhancing public accountability.

The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires agencies to produce strategic plans, annual performance plans and annual performance reports that include goals and results. The purpose of the performance reports is to identify how much the public benefits from agency programs and at what cost. The Mercatus Center's Scorecard is designed to encourage improvement in the quality of these reports.

The Center's assessment focuses on an agency's communications with the general public, its identification and assessment of the public benefits it provides, and its leadership's vision and strategies for the future. Copies of the report can be viewed or downloaded from http://www.mercatus.org/governmentaccountability.