July 17, 2009

Markell Releases Completed Phase of Government Performance Review

DOVER – Gov. Jack Markell on Friday released the findings of the first phase of his Government Performance Review, which identified $35 million in savings opportunities that helped bridge the historic shortfall in the fiscal 2010 operating budget. Nearly $4 million in additional savings was found for the Transportation Trust Fund that was included in the fiscal 2010 capital budget. 

“State government must be smaller and more efficient. My administration is committed to making that happen," Markell said. "I commissioned this report on my first full day in office so my administration can give Delawareans the best value for their tax dollars. The first phase, focusing on things that could have immediate impact, is done. The work on larger cost savings – efforts to consolidate government functions across agencies or find efficiencies at every level of government for example – continues. We must shrink government so we can have the resources necessary to invest in Delaware's economy.”

The savings identified for fiscal 2010 are achieved through making government efficient -- shrinking the state's vehicle fleet, reducing procurement costs, closing museums, grounding state police aircraft, etc. -- and consolidating government functions and optimizing fees and other revenues, such as conducting a tax amnesty.

The Government Performance Review efforts continue as the administration prepares its fiscal 2011 budget proposal. The Governor has asked agencies to continue to identify and report to him on additional savings opportunities that could be incorporated into next year's spending plan.

"This year's budget was significantly smaller than last year's because we made the tough choices to make government smaller," Markell said. "For next year's budget, we must take a hard look at what services are nice to provide but state government can no longer afford."