8 predictions to put on your calendar

Because of my uncanny accuracy and incredible insight, I have been invited back to predict what will happen in the coming fiscal year. Remember, you read it here first.

1. On Sept. 30, or thereabouts: Congress enacts a three-month continuing resolution, with reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank attached as a rider. [Editor's note, 9/22: So far, Balutis is batting 1.000]

2. October: Steve O'Keeffe, cheeky Brit founder of 300Brand, is nominated to be inspector general after White House officials read reports noting that nearly the entire $80 billion annual IT budget can be saved through cloud computing, consolidation/virtualization, shared services and so on.

3. December: The lame-duck Congress convenes and enacts an omnibus appropriations bill restoring many Defense Department funding cuts but attaching a number of Republican-favored measures that have previously drawn some level of Democratic support. FISMA-like IT and acquisition reform are among those measures.

4. January: President Barack Obama ponders the use of vetoes while on a monthlong PGA tour with Tiger Woods; the symbolism is lost on many.

5. February/March: Annual State of the Union address is delivered, and the president submits his fiscal 2016 budget -- on time this year.

6. Spring: The exodus of agency CIOs accelerates as the administration faces a Republican-controlled Congress for the remainder of Obama's second term. The Presidential Personnel Office questions whether to fill the openings or leave them vacant for another two years.

7. Summer: Recess. Again.

8. September: Congress begins work on its 40th continuing resolution in the past 10 years.