Where is the biggest waste/inefficiency in state government, and what will you do about it as governor?

Vermont has failed in the past to keep up with technology that leads to efficiency in the work place. Over the past several years we have made a conscious effort to correct this situation. In this past budget, even in these difficult times, we have made investments in technology that will eliminate redundant records and allow for better, faster exchange of information within state government. As governor I will make sure that we continue to make these investments as they are needed.

A business the size of state government needs managers who work with employees all of the time to encourage ideas that lead to efficient, effective government. There is not better place to get these ideas than the state workforce. As governor I would make certain that all managers and state employees understand that this is a goal for everyone in their everyday work and reward and encourage creative thinking that leads to better programs.

That said, I believe the only way to truly identify what is waste and what is inefficient in state government is through a process similar to Challenges for Change. Each program in government should meet with the advocates for their programs and people who use the services that the programs provide, and agree upon a set of outcomes for those programs. Then the same group needs to decide how they will measure the outcomes. This process has the effect of having all of the people involved in programs, both providers and consumers, set the priorities for the programs and how to measure those outcomes. The next step is to go through each of the programs involved and see if the programs address the outcomes they have agreed upon. If they don’t, then why should we continue to do those programs? One of the issues for government is that many programs are started, but few are eliminated. Now is the time to stop programs that do not meet the goals we chose.

The above process does not have to be overly time consuming and because it is an inclusive effort, it can be a very positive process. In these difficult times, it is much better to find the positive outcomes we all want and work together towards supporting those programs, than arguing about reductions. This means that there may well be programs that will be terminated, but those dollars can be saved or be redirected to services that address outcomes that can be measured. This is all a necessary part of right-sizing Vermont government.

What laws, rules or regulations would you change or enact to encourage business to remain, grow or locate in Vermont and that dissuade them from leaving? How would those changes work?

There are a variety of issues that confront the business community and not all businesses have the same issues. The issues of a small retail store are totally different than someone who wants to produce ice cream or build high tech equipment.

I do not have a specific set of "rules" or "regulations" that can be changed to create a better climate for business in Vermont. I think the underlying issue is that of the climate and the attitude towards business.

We all need to work to change the attitude towards business. In Montpelier it often seems that one is either for or against business. You are for or against the environment. You are for helping people or against helping people. I reject that idea. The single best thing we can do as a state in order to have the environment we want, to help those who need our assistance and to maintain a high quality of life, is to create good jobs.

As Governor I would have business leaders sit with folks from the human services community and the environmental community and come up with some common outcomes. Then I would have them work together to develop strategies to reach those outcomes. As I travel Vermont, it has become very clear to me that we have a lot more in common than we have differences. Leadership is about finding these common ground issues and working together to make Vermont a better place.

There has been talk for years of permit reform and it hasn't happened yet. I don't think it will happen until the agency of natural resources does some consolidation of the number of permits they have to administer. As Governor, I would begin that process immediately. The issue in the room that no one really wants to talk about is stormwater. Until we have a real plan and have real conversations about this issue, it will remain an unspoken threat to development. If we don't deal with stormwater and indirect discharges, there is no way we will ever clean up the Lake.

I do not pretend to have the answers, but I do know that I have an approach that is based on getting to real outcomes that work for Vermonters I know that working together we can create an attitude and environment that is business friendly, while protecting our environment and delivering the services to those in need. And we can do all this at a price we can afford.