Get to know Arne Duncan a little bit better by checking out these good reads:
In a Jan. 8 ethics letter posted at the ProPublica journalism Web site, you can see Duncan declaring that once he’s secretary, he’ll give up his unpaid consulting position with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and other involvement in groups including the Harvard University Board of Overseers, Illinois Center Against Handgun Violence, and the South Side YMCA. (H-T to Russo.)
And in his financial disclosure required when he was nominated for secretary, you’ll see that Duncan has socked away plenty of money for his two kids for college.
More recently, in a round-up of his own 100 days in office, Duncan and his staff write mostly about the stimulus package, but also note that he’s done at least 68 media interviews since Jan. 21 (which probably doesn’t even count his Neko Case appearance!) The report also notes that in addition to eliminating its Paris office and requiring employees to share printers, the department is saving money by reducing travel within the secretary’s office and eliminating unnecessary videoconferencing equipment. Also, Duncan reports that he has taken steps to change the department’s internal culture, from asking people to call him “Arne” to dining in the building’s cafeteria.