Better Government Competition Announced

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) today announced an exciting opportunity for Massachusetts residents to get involved in improving the way state government works. 

Pioneer Institute, a non-profit policy research group, is sponsoring the annual Better Government Competition (BGC), which seeks ideas from individuals about how best to improve government efficiency and effectiveness.  The BGC provides an unrivaled opportunity for citizen involvement in the development of government policy.  Implementation of winning ideas from previous competitions has saved taxpayers more than $500 million.

The 2012 contest will focus on federal programs that can be adapted for individual states.  Pioneer is looking for innovative ideas with benefits such as cost savings, more effective delivery of services, or innovation as a result. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the general public to help make government work better for them,” said Representative Jones.  “I hope residents of the 20^th Middlesex District will take advantage of this unique competition by submitting an entry in hopes of making their government run more efficiently and effectively ,” added the North Reading lawmaker. 

The winner will receive a $10,000 prize presented at the BGC Awards dinner in June.  Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 prize for their proposals to improve government.

The deadline for all submissions is April 9, 2012. For more information, interested parties should contact Shawni Littlehale at slittlehale@pioneerinstitute.org or (617) 723-2277 x207 or visit www.pioneerinstitute.com.