Government Reform

Governor Gregoire’s proposals to reform Washington state government were the first step in a comprehensive effort to fundamentally revamp the way programs and services are provided throughout the state. Her strategy:

1. Reduce the size of the bureaucracy

The state will continue to consolidate similar functions and cut government’s internal red tape for services needed by agencies, and begin the groundwork for other major changes including those that:

• Eliminate 17 boards and commissions.

• Introduce legislation to eliminate 78 more boards and commissions during the 2010 legislative session.

Learn more about affected boards and commissions.

2. Streamline government operations

The state will consolidate similar functions and cut barriers to  internal red tape for services needed by all agencies, and begin the groundwork for other major changes, including those that:

• Transfer 25 programs out from the Department of Commerce to other state agencies where their work is more closely aligned. Learn more about proposed program changes.

• New legislation to make multiple organizational changes to small state agencies. Learn more about affected small agencies.

3. Deliver 21st century customer service

Washington has been a national leader for years in using technology to serve customers — for example, nearly 40 percent of license tabs are renewed online — but we can do much more. Our citizens should have the same 24/7 online convenience when they deal with government that they do for the rest of their daily business, such as online banking.

• Establish a single point of entry for citizens to find state government jobs.

• Create a ‘one front door’ policy to make it easier for the public to access environmental services scattered across multiple offices.

We recognize that these are unprecedented economic times, and state government cannot ride out the hard times and then return to business as usual.

Steps we have taken

Asked citizens and state employees for ideas.  In November 2008, we asked citizens and state employees to submit their cost-saving and reform ideas.  In less than one month, we received nearly 2,000 submissions.

Engaged business and labor leaders. The Governor convened an advisory group of business and labor leaders to assist in charting the vision for government reform. 

Statewide performance review.  Governor Gregoire asked State Auditor Brian Sonntag to assist her in examining state practices and helping agencies to establish a 21st century way of doing business. To learn more about the statewide performance review, click here.

Re-tasked the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development as the Department of Commerce. Learn more about the new department.

2012 Policy Briefs

• Next Steps for Education Reform- Promoting High-Quality Teaching Through Renewed Professional Growth Opportunities

• Continuing to Reset State Government with New Reforms

  • Reforms and Resets: Selected Actions to Retool State Government

  • Six-Year Outlook, assuming Governor's November 21, 2011 Supplemental Budget Restoration of Initiatives 728 and 732 and State Employee and K-12 Salary Reductions

  • State Revenue and Expenditures Outlook Chart

2011 Policy Briefs & Session Summaries

• Accelerating the Learning Curve by Building a Student-Centered Education System

• Consolidating Services for More Efficiency at Less Cost

• Creating Partnerships That Promote Smarter Business

• Prioritizing Shrinking Tax Dollars

• Reforming Health Care to Save Money and Drive Quality

• Reforming Pensions to Hold Down Costs

• Shaping our Future-Keeping Washington’s Competitive Edge

• Strengthening Washington's Economy and Creating Jobs

• Transforming Ferries to Succeed in the 21st Century

2010 Policy Briefs & Session Summaries

• All Start - Increasing Opportunities for Washington’s Youngest Learners

• Creating jobs, ensuring prosperity

• Education to meet the challenges of the 21st century

• Providing the tools we have to help schools, local governments and hospitals

• Next Steps in Education Reform - Building on Strengths and Filling the Gaps

• Reforming how we care for Washingtonians with developmental disabilities

• Reforming how we protect natural resources

• Reforming how we rehabilitate our young offenders

• Reforming how we serve our customers – the people of Washington

• Reforming how we serve vulnerable Washingtonians

• Reforming how we strengthen Washington’s economy

• Reforming our prison system to keep Washingtonians safe

• Reforming state government to be more efficient, more cost effective, more responsive