News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 31, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Quality improvements net $42 million in savings for state

OLYMPIA — Noting the second anniversary of his executive order on quality improvement, Gov. Gary Locke recognized state agencies that have saved more than $42 million by improving their processes.

"These improvements show the commitment of our state workers to make our government better," Locke said. "Our goal remains firm: to make government work better, to renew respect for public service, and to secure the public's trust."

In 1997, Locke issued an executive order that requires each agency to develop and implement a plan to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the public it serves. Since that order, state agencies have reported more than 800 quality projects that have saved the state $42,549,282. Through these improvements, agencies have been able to save 335,000 hours of staff time that have been redirected to other work or have allowed agencies to eliminate the need for overtime.

The projects, many of which are outlined in the fifth edition of "Governing for Results," already produced tangible results, including new revenue generation, resources and dollars saved, and streamlined processes that provide better and quicker services. For example:

An improvement team in the Department of Retirement Systems streamlined the agency's process for mailing odd-sized items that resulted in a $9,000 cost saving but allowed staff to perform other necessary customer services.

The Department of Social and Health Services must track $130 million in facilities and equipment. To help track these assets, the agency created a new database to exchange information electronically, eliminate paper and enhance communication with customers. The agency saved $80,000 annually by eliminating paper forms, postage, file storage and mainframe computer time. The change resulted in a reduction of staff time and paperwork by more than 36,000 staff hours annually.

Department of Personnel posts its job openings on its Internet home page, eliminating 200 hours of staff time and $3,428 in printing and postage costs.

Construction contractors are required to renew their state registration annually with the Department of Labor and Industries. In April 1998, it took the agency 27 days to process a contractor renewal. After a quality improvement team streamlined the process, contractors got their renewals in one day. Staff now can work on other customer service needs, and contractors don't lose valuable time.

At Washington Corrections Center for Women, a team worked to reduce overtime costs. They developed a database to track and report employee leave use, and the agency saved $33,600 in overtime costs.

"Governing for Results" contains many examples of agency quality improvement projects. Copies of the booklet are available on the governor's home page at http://www.governor.wa.gov/ernor.



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