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NEWS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: MICK BULLOCK 601-441-0701 2.7.08 - The Senate Fees, Salaries and Administration Committee on Thursday passed legislation to create a three-member commission to oversee a review of state government’s performance using teams of state employees. Senate Bill 2173, sponsored by Committee Chairman Terry Brown and 14 other Senators now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. The effort would involve staff from legislative, executive branch agencies, and universities. The teams will produce a report by December 15, 2008 for the 2009 Legislature to consider. The bill states that there should be a “periodic, overall, comprehensive and coordinated review of the operations of state government to streamline and improve government operations.” This process should “anticipate future needs of government and its citizens and should focus not only on cost savings, but also on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and service delivery.” Mississippi joins numerous other states and the federal government that have done performance reviews including New Mexico, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California and Georgia. Georgia created a private-sector Commission for a New Georgia. The State of Texas began a performance review during an economic downturn in 1991 as a way to avoid raising taxes or cutting services. Lawmakers adopted two-thirds of the recommendations from the teams headed by the State Comptroller. Texas lawmakers have continued the reviews as they receive reports every other year. Business groups first proposed the performance review in 2005 in response to a letter from House Speaker Billy McCoy seeking ways to get out of the budget hole lawmakers faced at that time. Now in 2008, we face that same crucial budget shortage. The Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Governor each appoint one member to serve on the Mississippi Performance Review Commission. “This is one more piece of legislation aimed at making State Government more accountable to the taxpayers,” stated Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant. “I appreciate the help of several business organizations and State Auditor Stacey Pickering in providing insight and their willingness to help State Government operate in a more efficient manner for years to come.” The performance review is a fast-paced, high level, comprehensive search for solutions and efficiencies drawing on the expertise of state employees, ideas used in other states and in the private sector. Similarly, businesses use efficiency methodology such as LEAN Principles or they work through the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Awards process to ensure continuous improvement in their processes. About Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant ### |
