U.S. Labor Department earns number one ranking of federal agencies for program and financial performance reporting

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor continued to demonstrate excellence in reporting on program and financial performance by earning a number one ranking in an annual competition of the 24 largest federal agencies. George Mason University's Mercatus Center announced the results of its 10th annual Performance Report Scorecard on May 5.

In a ceremony at the Russell Senate Office Building, Virginia Sen. Mark R. Warner presented the Labor Department with the center's Best Overall Performance Reporting Award as well as its Transparency Award. Acting Deputy Secretary of Labor Ed Hugler accepted the awards on behalf of the department.

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 requires agencies to produce strategic plans, performance budgets, and annual performance and accountability reports that include goals and results.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis noted, "As a former member of Congress, I take GPRA's requirements seriously — and am very proud of this departmental achievement. In addition, our efforts directly support President Obama's expectation of a transparent and open government."

In the 10 years of the Mercatus Scorecard, the Department of Labor has secured the top ranking five times; the previous four were consecutive (fiscal years 2002 to 2005). The department's FY 2006 and FY 2007 reports were ranked second.

Mercatus ranks agencies' reports on 12 criteria worth five points each, in three categories: transparency, public benefits and leadership. The Labor Department's report scored 56 out of 60, which is the highest ever on the Mercatus Scorecard. The department also scored a perfect 20 in transparency.

The Mercatus Center's report noted the following on this department's efforts:

• "The Department of Labor is a leader in developing innovations and improvements on many fronts with respect to performance accountability and reporting."
• "The Labor report systematically assesses and rates the quality of its data for each performance goal, a best practice for other agencies to emulate."

Annual reports identify how the public benefits from agency programs and at what cost. The Labor Department's 2009 report will be published on Nov. 16. The Mercatus Center's Government Accountability Project is designed to help policy makers improve the public sector management process by bringing research and analysis to agencies to develop quality information about their effectiveness. The Scorecard report can be downloaded at http://www.mercatus.org.