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Articles by Peter Tyler
Peter A. Tyler, 77, of Shrewsbury Shrewsbury
Born in Worcester, Peter was the son of the late S. Parker and Louise (Winch) Tyler. He was raised and educated in Westborough and was a graduate of Westborough High School, Class of 1967. He also attended American International College. Peter worked as a delivery driver for Maines Paper & Food Service and later as a driver for Enterprise Rent-A-Car before retiring. Outside of work, he enjoyed spending time on the golf course and was an avid golfer.
I See Dead People . . . Cashing Federal Checks; Legislation Targets Payments Made in Error
Accountability By Peter Tyler | Filed under analysis | February 26, 2018 Would you believe that some federal agencies are still mistakenly paying people long after they are dead? Fortunately, new bipartisan legislation in the Senate takes steps to tackle this problem. A major portion of wasteful government spending is a broad category known as “improper payments,” which are payments made in the wrong amount, to the wrong people, or for the wrong reason.
Shining a Brighter Light on the Work of Federal Watchdogs
In 2018, the 73 federal agency inspectors general made more than 7,000 recommendations to eliminate billions of dollars in potential waste and fraud, address possible missteps and wrongdoing by government officials, and mitigate risks to the health, safety, and rights of the public. But do agencies take the necessary actions in response to the IGs’ recommendations? Unfortunately, far too often the answer is “no.” Thousands of recommendations languish in agency inboxes and remain unimplemented.
Shining a Brighter Light on the Work of Our Federal Watchdogs
Oversight By Peter Tyler | Filed under analysis | February 13, 2019 Illustration by POGO. Help us hold the government accountable. POGO will continue to devote itself to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse of power at even the highest levels of government. Give now to support our investigations. Donation Options
Shining a Brighter Light on the Work of Federal Watchdogs
In 2018, the 73 federal agency inspectors general made more than 7,000 recommendations to eliminate billions of dollars in potential waste and fraud, address possible missteps and wrongdoing by government officials, and mitigate risks to the health, safety, and rights of the public. But do agencies take the necessary actions in response to the IGs’ recommendations? Unfortunately, far too often the answer is “no.” Thousands of recommendations languish in agency inboxes and remain unimplemented.
Is the Pentagon Learning from Previous Natural Disasters?
Accountability Congress Deserves a Real Answer By Peter Tyler | Filed under analysis | January 22, 2019 U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Isabelo Rivera and personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) visited the municipalities of Loiza, Canóvanas and surrounding areas in order to survey the damage left in the aftermath of Hurricane María on Sept. 21, 2017. (Photo: U.S. Army National Guard / Spc.
House of Representatives Adopts Whistleblower and Ethics Reforms for Itself
Most notably, the House established its first Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman. The office is tasked with developing “best practices for whistleblower intake for offices of the House” and providing “trainings for offices of the House on whistleblower intake.” Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) led efforts to create the office, which the Make It Safe Coalition (POGO is a member of the coalition’s steering committee) also advocated for.
Facing the Storm: Congress Must Ask Hard Questions Before the Next Disaster
This piece originally appeared on The Hill. Weeks after Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolinas, floodwaters are receding and the devastation’s full extent is coming into focus. Millions were affected, lives were lost, and communities will likely endure the aftermath for months, even years.
Congress Successfully Adds Accountability to the Pentagon’s Military Hardware Giveaway
In 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order that made changes to the 1033 program with the intent of increasing the quantity and types of gear available to law enforcement. In fact, contrary to statements the Administration and some supporters made at the time, the Executive Order resulted in little change to what gear was available.
Rating the Watchdogs: Are Our Inspectors General Effective?
A press story this week by Federal News Radio raised pointed questions about the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, one of the federal government’s largest Inspector General offices. A separate piece by Government Executive focuses on the work of the Department of Defense Inspector General, and describes billions of dollars in potential savings if the Pentagon and military Services implements audit and examination recommendations.
Recommendations for Disaster Response and Recovery
With hurricane season upon us once again, media stories are raising questions about the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to major disasters. Just this week, the press reported on a Harvard University research study estimating that more than 4,600 people in Puerto Rico died as a result of Hurricane Maria, rather than the 64 people counted in the official death toll.
POGO Staff Visit Key Disaster Response Warehouse
Earlier this month, Project On Government Oversight staff toured a major Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supply center in Frederick, Maryland. The visit provided important insights into the nation’s ability to respond to disasters. It also provides an example for how the federal government can and should quicken its lifesaving responses.
Shortsighted on Oversight
The special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in U.S. elections continues to attract politically charged pronouncements and calls for action. As part of the recent debate, government oversight institutions have been invoked by national and party leaders. However, the discussion in Washington, DC, and in the media is hobbled by incomplete knowledge of the various oversight tools and options available for major investigations.
Unworthy Tribute: FEMA Contract Raises Disaster Preparedness Concerns
Earlier this month, a stinging Congressional letter from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) described a major, failed contract to deliver food to disaster victims in the wake of last summer’s devastating hurricanes in Puerto Rico.
Revealing the Lost World of Government Reports
Congress is considering a simple but important step in overseeing federal agencies. A recently introduced bill would require a one-stop, easy-to-use, online location for all congressionally mandated reports. This may put an end to the world of lost and hidden government reports. Each year, Congress mandates that federal agencies report on programs, laws, and other aspects of government, big and small.
The New Normal: The Government Must Do Better With Major Disasters
Last week marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy—at the time, the second most damaging hurricane to hit the United States. Tens of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure was damaged, and the rail system into New York City is still being fixed. As it does after each catastrophic disaster, the government evaluated the response and recovery and made recommendations on how to improve efforts for future disasters. Unknown to many, that future was the 2017 hurricane season.
Record-Breaking National Disaster Recovery Budget Should Include Ample Oversight
Last year’s hurricanes and other major disasters caused hundreds of deaths, numerous injuries, and widespread hardships. They resulted in a record-setting $306 billion in damages, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks the impacts of major weather disasters in the United States.
Put the brakes on government-wide improper payments
Members of Congress and the White House, no matter what party, agree that agencies need to reduce their wasteful spending. Yet, the federal government still struggles to commit the resources and leadership needed to curb this hemorrhaging of taxpayer dollars. The Trump administration has spoken of the importance of reducing a major portion of this misspending known as “improper payments,” which are payments made in the wrong amount, to the wrong people, or for the wrong reason.
Strengthening Financial Integrity of Federal Agencies
Members of Congress and the White House, no matter what party affiliation, agree that agencies need to reduce their wasteful spending. A major portion of wasteful government spending is a broad category known as “improper payments,” which are payments made in the wrong amount, to the wrong people, or for the wrong reason. They result from insufficient financial accountability, and divert dollars from where they are needed.
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