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. It reflects three primary goals:

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.

• Eliminated 50 boards and commissions by executive order.

• Signed SB 5995 relating to eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties effective June 30, 2009.

2. Deliver 21st century customer service
Washington has been a national leader for years in using technology to serve customers – for example, nearly 40% of license tabs are renewed online – but we can do much more to make sure our citizens have the same 24/7 online convenience when they deal with government that they do for the rest of their daily business, like online banking and booking airline reservations.

• Expanded online access and availability of mobile service units in rural communities.

• Increased online instruction through community and technical colleges, where online course-taking is proving the instructional equivalent to four bricks-and-mortar colleges.

• Easier use of credit and debit cards in transactions with the state.

3. Streamlined government operations
The state will consolidate similar functions and cut government’s internal red tape for services needed by all agencies, and begin the groundwork to set the stage for major changes in the future.

• Reorganize government central-service functions (personnel, property management, IT support, etc.) so agencies can focus more effort on their core missions.  Six groups are working to improve state government and make it a more nimble and relevant partner in a new state economy. These groups are:

• Natural resources

• Health and human services

• Public safety and transportation

• Education

• Shared services

• Economic development and energy

• Transfer Department of Licensing fuel tax program to the Department of Revenue.

• Merge Eastern and Western Washington historical societies.

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.