STATE OF STATE ADDRESS 
Governor introduced accountability plan, new model for state government business

March 14, 2007 - Major new programs targeting schools, the uninsured and job-increasing investments were announced today during the State of the State address, but Gov. Ted Strickland warned that the new initiatives would not come without sacrifice.
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ACCOUNTABILITY The governor described a new business model that he will require all agencies statewide to deploy.

"To make the best use of the funds available, my administration is initiating the Ohio Government Accountability Plan. The essence of the plan is to clearly state priorities, establish performance agreements with agency directors showing how they will pursue those priorities, and, then, measure the outcome to find out what worked and what didn’t."

Strickland continued, "We will create a vision for economic competitiveness and apply it across all state programs. Every department, not just the Department of Development, will be evaluated in part by its ability to keep, attract, and create jobs worthy of Ohio’s workers."

It's within this program that OCSEA will have a prime opportunity to present examples of top-heavy management and waste.

IOWA MODEL Strickland told participants at the Feb. 15 Pathways to Excellence event that there's no room for good ideas if better ones exist. He said that the frontline employees doing the work have the best insight on how to do it better, creating greater efficiencies for customers and saving dollars for taxpayers.

Strickland's message to state employees was reinforced by the event's keynote speaker Jim Chrisinger, author of Iowa’s Accountable Government Act. Chrisinger addressed the Strickland/Fisher Transition Team and provided support for their "TurnAround Ohio Government Accountability Plan" by sharing stories, strategies, and data from his state's plan on how to:

• Treat people like customers.
• Prioritize to live within its mean
• Make results for people more important than one-size-fits-all rules
• Dramatically improve performance.

INNOVATION The governor also said yesterday that he would be calling on state agencies to participate in what he is calling his Advantage Ohio program – a top to bottom review of regulations that are contradictory and obsolete.

Resources

Video - Gov. Strickland talks about accountability, service at quality event

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2007 State of State Address (PDF)

State Budget Resources

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