WV Gov. Manchin Announces Next Step In ‘Responsible Government’

Pew project calls on agencies to deliver performance-driven results

Oct. 7, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin today announced West Virginia is taking the next step toward more responsible government by operating more efficiently and transparently to deliver better services while saving money.

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During a meeting of about 150 cabinet secretaries and agency leaders at the State Culture Center today, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to effective planning, budgeting and results-driven government, that is backed by a year-long project with the Pew Center on the States.

The project is part of a strategic plan and the governor’s vision for West Virginia in 2012, called “West Virginia Responsible Government.” 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.

“Our plan includes a stronger education system, an expanded energy sector, a more diverse economy, and a government that puts taxpayer money where they get the best return for their investment,” Manchin said. “I expect every state department, agency, division and their employees to work together to take our 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.

“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 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 the following objectives:
o Strengthen West Virginia’s education system;
o Increase West Virginians’ access to quality and efficient health care;
o Increase accountability of state government agencies to achieve better, measurable results;
o Expand West Virginia’s economy;
o Diversify West Virginia’s energy portfolio while expanding energy exports;
o Modernize and maintain the safety of West Virginia’s infrastructure;
o And Make West Virginia safer.

All Executive Branch Cabinet Secretaries have been working toward implementation of the “Responsible Government” plan in partnership with the PEW Center on the States since early 2009. 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.

Source: West Virginia Governor