Gov. Christine Gregoire introduces government accountability legislation, key priority in new administration

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2005

Gov. Christine Gregoire today introduced legislation and a series of executive directives aimed at improving state government management accountability and performance. This program establishes clear expectations that government services will be improved and the public will better understand what they are getting for their tax dollars.

The program, called Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP), will build on the Priorities of Government approach, the award-winning initiative to tie budget decisions to priorities. The proposal requires state agencies to develop data-driven management and performance systems that will measure the effectiveness of how state services are delivered and whether or not the results that are intended were accomplished.

�It will allow the public to focus on results and will greatly improve their ability to hold government accountable,� Gregoire said. �While the concepts behind this program are not new to government, imposing it across all state agencies and reporting on their progress directly to citizens is a new approach. Several cities have started these programs, and a number of state agencies have begun data-driven management programs.�

To help implement GMAP in state government, Gregoire today also announced the appointment of Larisa Benson as Special Assistant for Government Management Accountability and Performance. Benson is currently on the faculty at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington and has a record of implementing performance measurement programs and results-based budgeting programs.

Gregoire also announced the following:

• All permitting and licensing programs will be required to establish timelines for responding to permit applications so that businesses and citizens have clear understanding and expectations. Permit programs will consult with the regulated community and citizens to develop timelines that reflect the business and citizen needs without sacrificing the agency�s legal mandates.


• The Secretary of State will be invited to partner with the agencies to form an advisory group in the business community. This group will identify places to simplify tax reporting and then make those changes happen.


• All agencies will be required to adopt the principles of �Plain Talk� so that all letters, applications and instructions are written in a language that is understandable to citizens, instead of bureaucratic jargon.

�I have great respect for the work done by state agencies,� Gregoire said. �But we have an obligation to taxpayers to make sure they are getting value for their money, and we are going to do just that.�

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