Gregoire's govt. reforms aim to reduce bureaucracy and deliver online services

Monday, Feb. 9, Governor Chris Gregoire introduced her “government reform package,” which has three main goals:

• Reduce the size of the bureaucracy. We will do this by eliminating some boards, commissions, advisory committees and by consolidating several state agencies.
• Deliver 21st century customer service. We will save money and deliver services more efficiently to our citizens by expanding online access for state services (think renewing licenses, paying taxes) and online instruction at our community and technical colleges (no need for buildings).
• Streamline government operations. Our goal is to reduce red tape through a reorganization of some services provided to all government agencies (real estate management, technical support, human resources).

To achieve her first objective, Gregoire plans to plans to close 25 driver-licensing offices, eliminate dozens of small regulatory boards and combine some state agency functions.

Gregoire said, “More than 150 boards, commissions and advisory committees would be eliminated and others would be consolidated, including the Health Care Authority and the Department of Retirement Systems. All 470 of the current boards were created with the best intentions, but often make it harder and more expensive to serve the people of the state.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Gregoire spoke to the Association of Washington Business and said she’d also like to consolidate small public schools, with enrollment of less than 150 students.

As reported in the Seattle Times, Gregoire said she would like to overhaul the business and occupation tax, the state’s main tax on businesses. Calling the tax “ill-conceived” and harmful to small businesses, she invited business leaders to develop a plan for changing the system.

“If you want to come forward with an alternative to the B&O tax system in the state of Washington, the welcome mat is out from me,” Gregoire said.