Opening remarks on Government Reorganization and Efficiency bill

Opening Statement by State Senator Staci Appel, Chair, Senate State Government Committee (SF 2088)

 

“Today, we take a major step forward in creating a state government that is stronger, more responsive to its people, and better able to handle the challenges that lay ahead. 

This bill is the first substantial reorganization of state government in nearly 25 years. We heard from folks from all across this state—and the message was clear:  state government should be leaner, services more efficient, and we must eliminate waste. 

We listened. 

From cost-saving measures, to making state government more efficient, to improving the services that the state offers—this bill hits the mark.  By reorganizing state government, we have eliminated redundancies, saved taxpayer money, and helped Iowa do more with less. 

But that’s not all this bill does.

We are in the 21st century, the dawn of a new decade—what was once good for Iowa in 1985, no longer holds true in 2010. We must modernize the way state government does its business.

By utilizing new technologies, the state of Iowa can save money this year, and every year that follows. Modernizing how state government uses technology is a common sense solution to save Iowa money and make government more responsive and efficient for taxpayers.

In this new decade, the State of Iowa should take a page from business and utilize its purchasing power. 

Every year, the state purchases thousands of goods; from office supplies to pickup trucks, asphalt to food for needy families—we can continue to make these purchases, and save money while we do it. 

This bill makes departments and agencies across government coordinate and work together to save the state money. 

Reorganizing dozens of departments and agencies; decreasing bureaucracy and eliminating waste wasn’t easy—change doesn’t come easy—but the result of this effort will save Iowa 118 million dollars.  When added to the nearly 60 million dollars in annual savings approved last week in the early retirement bill, we are off to a good start.

 The people of Iowa—the taxpayers—the people we serve, deserve no less.  This bill makes Iowa stronger, our government more responsive to its’ people and saves taxpayer money.  I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.”