Category Archives: Government Reform

Don’t Mess with Virginia’s Biennial Budget System

Legislation being proposed by Delegates Pollard and Saxman to adopt an annual rather than a biennial budget process needs to be rejected. Under the current format a more realistic budgetary picture is presented to the public and longer range planning is encouraged, two things that go a long way in making Virginia the best-managed state in the union. Continue reading

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Fairfax County – a Case Study on Government Excess Spending

Growth in government spending and new programs play a larger role in the financial hardships faced by Virginia and its localities than many our elected officials are letting on. To combat this we need to increase budget transparency by getting the checkbooks online and look towards competitive bidding and privatization to save money and increase efficiencies. Continue reading

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Wanted: A Virginia Land Inventory

Recent efforts by Ohio and Georgia have shown how a good land management system can lead to increased effectiveness and efficiency in government. Virginia started down this path under Governors Allen and Warner, but needs to redouble its effort just to catch up. Continue reading

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Privatization Can Transform the Delivery of State Psychiatric Services

In an effort to address the budget crisis a Governor Kaine proposal should get the ball rolling on a new approach to mental health service. If we keep pushing, the state can reap greater benefit.
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Drawing of Eastern State Hospital courtesy of Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. Continue reading

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Government by Contractor: It Saves You Money

Thomas Frank can argue all he wants about the evils of government streamlining, but the numbers and numerous Democrats say otherwise. The fact is competition in government services saves the taxpayers money. Continue reading

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