Gov. Raimondo Creates Government Efficiency Commission

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order Thursday creating a statewide Government Efficiency Commission to identify areas where money can be saved and operations streamlined, and will be responsible for finding at least $10 million in savings.

"The demands of citizens are changing more quickly than ever before," Raimondo said in a release. "I'm asking my team and members of our community to take a fresh look at state government and find efficiencies in our programs and real estate portfolio that make strategic sense for the future. While we continue to make critical long-term investments in the workforce, education and health care, it is our obligation to ensure government services come at the best possible value for taxpayers."

The commission will present its findings to the General Assembly in May.

Michael DiBiase, director of the Department of Administration, will serve as chairman of the nine-member commission. The other members are:

• Jonathan Womer, director, RI Office of Management & Budget
• Cynthia J. Butler, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, president, Butler & Associates Human Resources Consulting; RI Society of Human Resources Management (RI SHRM)
• Anthony Silva, chief of staff, Office of Lt. Governor Dan McKee
• Maureen Martin, secretary-treasurer, RI AFL-CIO
• Michael Knipper, executive vice president, property and procurement, Citizens Bank
• Brian Daniels, executive director, RI League of Cities and Towns
• Christina Pitney, vice president, strategy & strategic partnerships, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
• John Simmons, executive director, RI Public Expenditure Council

"One of the Administration's goals is to make government work better," Director DiBiase said. "One way to do that is to do the hard work and look at everything from our programs to state properties."

Dibiase added that many state buildings are over 75 years old and in need of significant improvements.

"We need to assess our real estate portfolio so that current and future decisions about state properties can benefit from strong strategic guidance while ensuring structural cost savings," he said. "Taking a step back to proactively reassess statewide needs further reduces the requirement for short-term savings initiatives in the future and ensures the State is able to further invest in priorities that have direct impacts on the lives of Rhode Islanders."

The commission will be supported by staff from Rhode Island's Office of Management and Budget, an outside real estate consultant, and other state agencies.

Several other states have already created similar commissions, including Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin and Florida.