Published: October 08, 2009 05:46 pm      

Responsible government — W.Va. initiative a positive step forward

Gov. Joe Manchin says he is hoping to take the state to the next step toward a more responsible government by operating more efficiently and transparently to deliver better services while saving money.

During a meeting with about 150 cabinet secretaries and agency leaders at the State Culture Center Wednesday, Manchin reaffirmed his commitment to effective planning, budgeting and a results-driven government in conjunction with a year-long initiative with the Pew Center on the States.

The “West Virginia Responsible Government” project is part of a strategic plan that targets specific goals by 2012. It identifies quality of life, economic and government improvements in a statewide, strategic plan that requires all state agencies and employees to begin working toward more fiscally accountable operations.

West Virginia is one of three states chosen by Pew for this results-driven initiative. Pew has been examining all 50 states’ management of money, people, information and infrastructure for more than 10 years, according to the governor’s office.

Manchin’s goals include a stronger education system, an expanded energy sector and a more diverse economy. The governor is ordering every state department, agency, division and employee to be part of the plan to take state government to the next level of performance.

“It’s more accountable, it’s more transparent and it’s absolutely necessary if we expect to keep West Virginia moving forward,” Manchin said Wednesday of the new strategic plan. “Our strategy of the last four-and-a-half years has paid off. West Virginia no doubt is facing tough economic times, but we also are way ahead of the pack in terms of our financial condition. We can do even better.”

As part of the Pew project, each department in state government will develop guidance documents and annual operation plans to meet the goals of the Responsible Government initiative. Future year budgets will be based upon each department’s and agencies’ performance related to those goals.

The Responsible Government plan focuses on establishing new statewide planning and budgeting systems that includes strengthening West Virginia’s education system; increasing access to quality and efficient health care for state residents; increasing the accountability of state government agencies to achieve better, measurable results; expanding the Mountain State’s economy: diversifying the state’s energy portfolio while expanding energy exports; and modernizing and maintaining the safety of West Virginia’s infrastructure.

We believe these are all worthwhile objectives that should be aggressively pursued. We welcome these efforts by Manchin to help make state government more efficient and more transparent.