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The Council of State Governments (CSG) recently awarded two PSG projects with 2004 Innovation Awards, recognizing the projects' inventive solutions to the changing nature of state governance. The two PSG projects were selected on a regional basis from 242 programs nominated by members representing all branches of state government.
The CSG is a national organization dedicated to helping states increase their efficiency by facilitating the exchange of information on the latest approaches to policy and operations throughout state government. For more information, visit the CSG Web site.
Iowa's Charter Agencies
2004 Midwest Innovations Award Winner
Iowa's Charter Agencies, in exchange for increased benefits, flexibility and authority, have accepted the responsibility to find better ways to meet citizens' needs, to be held accountable for those results and to reduce costs or generate more revenue. Directors/representatives of Charter Agencies sign "charters," or agreements, with the Governor that specify the parameters of the agencies' "charter" status and the expectations for results and performance. These Charter Agreements contain performance targets, special projects, performance metrics and a list of administrative flexibilities. In Charter Agencies, directors have the authority to make personnel, purchasing, and information technology decisions that accomplish their performance goals. They are held accountable for delivering results. They can implement performance contracts and look for innovations to do work more effectively and efficiently. They can also measure progress and results to assure success.
For more information, contact:
Mary Lofy, Co-Project Manager, Public Strategies Group, or
Paul Carlson, Co-Project Manager, Department of Administrative Services
Iowa Reinvention Partnership
Department of Management
State Capitol Building Rm. G12 (1007 E Grand)
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: (515) 242-5261
FAX: (515) 281-4797
mary@psg.us
Paul.Carlson@iowa.gov
Washington's Priorities of Government
2004 Western Innovations Award Winner
Washington State's Priorities of Government (POG) is a new budgeting process based on
what citizens expect from state government by producing results oriented priorities for state
services. As the Puget Sound Business Journal stated, "Instead of dusting off the previous
spending plan and adjusting the numbers to reflect the latest revenue projections, POG identified
desired results, established priorities and allocated the money accordingly." Washington
Governor Gary Locke implemented the process in August 2002 to address a $2.6 billion deficit
for 2003-05. Legislators, voters and the press praised the new process. Kerry Killinger, CEO of
Washington Mutual,said, "Priorities of Government is a valuable exercise, a strategic approach
to our budget and economy that has been adopted by all state agencies. It should be pushed
through to county and municipal governments." The state is using it again to set the 2005-07
budget.
For more information, contact:
Marty Brown, Director,
Office of Financial Management
PO Box 43113
Olympia, WA 98504-3113
TEL: (360) 902-0530
FAX: (360) 664-2832
marty.brown@ofm.wa.gov
http://www.ofm.wa.gov
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