"So it could wind up becoming a tool for an agency head to use in a political manner."

In November 2008 the agency head resigned at the government's request.

And they're all public, allowing everybody from taxpayers to agency heads to consider the ideas for themselves.

"The last time they hit us was just over the weekend," said the agency head, who asked that he not be identified.

But the executive order did not carry the force of law, and most agency heads have ignored it.

But agency heads say they are often told by the council to change regulations.

So we told the agency head - who was quite surprised - that we'd also take Polly.

He gave agency heads 30 days to present him with detailed plans.

In the old days the agency head knew every one of his staff.

It was not authorized by the agency head or the president, he said.