GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 32 (2011)

The Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, Phase II

Importance of the Issue

The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to face budgetary management challenges and increasing demands for core public services. Citizens and businesses in Virginia are entitled to a limited and effective state government. Revenues collected from Virginia taxpayers must be spent in the most efficient manner possible. It is incumbent on those charged with providing government services to protect the public from harm and theft, educate our citizenry, foster economic opportunity, provide necessary infrastructure, preserve fundamental rights and perform other essential functions in a manner that avoids duplication, delay, waste, and unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy.

Throughout the course of my administration, we will conduct a comprehensive review to make certain that duplicative, outdated, unnecessary and ineffective services and service delivery methods are eliminated and that state revenues are dedicated to the core functions of government. Consequently, my second act as Governor on Inauguration Day was to establish the Governor's Commission on Government Reform & Restructuring to conduct a comprehensive, systematic and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness and need for the state's existing agencies, governing bodies, programs, and services.

During the Commission's first year of work, members listened to Virginia citizens and state employees by holding public town halls in all regions of the Commonwealth, receiving more than 1,700 comments and ideas for consideration. The report issued in December 2010 made 134 recommendations that would improve transparency and customer service, review and eliminate unnecessary mandates on localities, consolidate office operations, rightsize manager to employee ratios, privatize non-core government functions, and properly account for all Commonwealth-owned property.

The Commission's work is far from complete. The way forward is to build on our progress by eliminating and consolidating programs that are inefficient or duplicative and make state government more transparent and accountable.

Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring

Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to Section 2.2-134 of the Code of Virginia, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby extend the Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring ("Commission").

The Commission will conduct a thorough review of Virginia state government:

· Identify opportunities for creating efficiencies in state government, including streamlining, consolidating, or eliminating redundant and unnecessary agency services, governing bodies, regulations and programs;

· Explore innovative ways to deliver state services at the lowest cost and best value to Virginia taxpayers;

· Seek out means to more effectively and efficiently perform core state functions, including potential privatization of government operations where appropriate, and restore focus on core mission oriented service;

· Examine ways for state government to be more transparent, user friendly and accountable to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

· Work with the cabinet and state executive branch agencies to implement these recommendations proposed by the Commission.

The Commission will consist of up to 20 citizen members appointed by the Governor and serving at his pleasure. The Governor shall designate a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from among the citizen members. Three members of the Virginia House of Delegates and two members of the Virginia Senate shall also be invited to be members. The Governor may appoint other members to the Commission as necessary. The Secretaries of Administration and Finance, and the Vice-Chair of the Council on Virginia's Future, shall serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the Commission.

The Commission shall submit a final report of its activities and recommendations by November 1, 2011. I direct all executive branch agencies and institutions to cooperate fully with the work of the Commission.

Staff support as is necessary for the conduct of the Commission's work during the term of its existence shall he furnished by the Office of the Governor, the Offices of the Governor's Cabinet Secretaries, the Department of Planning and Budget, and such other executive agencies as the Governor may designate. An estimated 2,000 hours of staff time will be required to support the commission on an annual basis. Such funding as is necessary for the term of the Commission's existence shall be provided from sources, including both private and appropriated funds, contributed or appropriated for purposes related to the work of the Commission, as authorized by Section 2.2-135(13) of the Code of Virginia. Direct expenditures for the Commission's work are estimated to be $15,000 annually, exclusive of staff support.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until April 12, 2012, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 12th day of April, 2011.

/s/ Robert F. McDonnell
Governor