Some of the best Gonzo Journalism I’ve seen in a long time from BlueGrassRoots.
Them Yaller Dogs sure can hunt…..
If you've received this e-mail, it is because I think you are cool and will enjoy this killer story of my day. Sure, it's a long read, but Gone with the Wind would not have been such a great book in the condensed version! Take a moment to read this bad boy - you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish you were me ...
The best way to describe the experience might be "exhilarating and terrifying all rolled into one moment of time". As I prepare for bed this 15th day of January, 2008, I look back and realize that I have just finished what truly has been the most bizarre political day of my life. Making this statement is no small feat, since I have been politically active since age 10, majored in Political Science and lived worked and played in both the nation's political hubs; Des Moines, IA and Washington, DC.
Go read the whole piece.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Don't Reinvent the Wheel
Let’s talk about state contracts for a minute. The first thing that should be done is to look at the state contract process. In February of 2005 Auditor Crit Luallen released a report on Kentucky’s Administration and Management of Master Agreements and Catalog Master Agreements.
The Performance Audit made the following findings:
So here is another idea for Governor Steve Beshear and Finance Secretary Jonathan Miller, don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have too, some of the homework has already been done for you. I seriously doubt that Ernie Fletcher and company addressed this findings. My guess is that if the audit was again the same problems would still be there.
By the way in case someone says they never knew this was a problem, here is the distribution list for the report.
Robbie Rudolph, Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet
House Speaker, Jody Richards
Senate President, David Williams
Representative Harry Moberly, Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative John Arnold, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Bob DeWeese, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Fred Nesler, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Joni Jenkins, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Robin Webb, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Charlie Borders, Chair, Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Ernie Harris, Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Katie Stine, Co-Chair, Program Review and Investigations Committee
Representative Charlie Hoffman, Co-Chair, Program Review and Investigations Committee
Stan Cave, Chief of Staff
Brad Cowgill, State Budget Director
James Nelson, State Librarian and Commissioner, Department for Libraries and Archives
Robert Sherman, Director, Legislative Research Commission
Ginny Wilson, Deputy Director for Research and Finance, Legislative Research Commission
Kathy King, CSA, Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Michael Meeks, CSA, Government Contract Review Committee
Greg Hager, CSA, Program Review and Investigation Committee
Mike Burnside, Director of Office of Material and Procurement Services, Finance and Administration Cabinet
Gary Freeland, Department of Education
Cindy Gosser, Cabinet for Economic Development
Jackie Watkins, Cabinet for Health and Human Services
Jimmie Richerson, Kentucky State Police
Roy Brothers, Commerce Cabinet
Roberta McCann, Attorney General’s Office
The Performance Audit made the following findings:
- Kentucky’s Procurement System Cannot Calculate the Number of Items Purchased or the Amount Spent on a Particular Item
- There Is No Formal Method for Strategic Analysis of State Government Expenditures
- The Legal Authority for Establishing Contracts Is Not Cited Accurately
- Additional Procurement Training Is Needed Within State Agencies
- Kentucky May Not Be Obtaining the Lowest Available Prices
- Regular Compliance Reviews Are Not Being Conducted by the Finance and Administration Cabinet
So here is another idea for Governor Steve Beshear and Finance Secretary Jonathan Miller, don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have too, some of the homework has already been done for you. I seriously doubt that Ernie Fletcher and company addressed this findings. My guess is that if the audit was again the same problems would still be there.
By the way in case someone says they never knew this was a problem, here is the distribution list for the report.
Robbie Rudolph, Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet
House Speaker, Jody Richards
Senate President, David Williams
Representative Harry Moberly, Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative John Arnold, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Bob DeWeese, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Fred Nesler, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Joni Jenkins, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Representative Robin Webb, Vice Chair, House Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Charlie Borders, Chair, Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Ernie Harris, Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Senator Katie Stine, Co-Chair, Program Review and Investigations Committee
Representative Charlie Hoffman, Co-Chair, Program Review and Investigations Committee
Stan Cave, Chief of Staff
Brad Cowgill, State Budget Director
James Nelson, State Librarian and Commissioner, Department for Libraries and Archives
Robert Sherman, Director, Legislative Research Commission
Ginny Wilson, Deputy Director for Research and Finance, Legislative Research Commission
Kathy King, CSA, Appropriations and Revenue Committee
Michael Meeks, CSA, Government Contract Review Committee
Greg Hager, CSA, Program Review and Investigation Committee
Mike Burnside, Director of Office of Material and Procurement Services, Finance and Administration Cabinet
Gary Freeland, Department of Education
Cindy Gosser, Cabinet for Economic Development
Jackie Watkins, Cabinet for Health and Human Services
Jimmie Richerson, Kentucky State Police
Roy Brothers, Commerce Cabinet
Roberta McCann, Attorney General’s Office
Shorter Buggy Whips
Yesterday I receive an email hyping Steve Beshear’s efficiency initiative. The Press Release is below:
Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office Governor Beshear Seeks Ideas & Input from State Employees: Initiative to make government more efficient and productive
Press Release Date:
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Contact Information:
Vicki Glass 502-564-2611
FRANKFORT, KY – On the morning following his first State of the Commonwealth address, Kentucky state government employees were greeted with a personal message from Governor Steve Beshear, asking for their help in addressing the Commonwealth’s looming budget crisis.
In an email, Gov. Beshear announced his efficiency initiative, requesting ideas from state employees on how to make Kentucky state government operations more cost-effective, productive and innovative.
“No idea is too big or too small,” Gov. Beshear said. “If it helps your department or agency become more economical, more innovative, more productive or more accountable, I want to hear about it.”
This government efficiency initiative will be administratively attached to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. State government employees may submit their ideas by clicking on the efficiency logo on the http://www.kentucky.gov homepage or by visiting the Finance Cabinet’s Web site at http://finance.ky.gov/ideas.htm. Ideas submitted via this electronic suggestion system will be collected and studied by the governor and his staff to determine merit, practicality, feasibility and legality.
“We are looking long and hard at every cost saving measure we can think of,” said Gov. Beshear. “But, I’m sure there are things we haven’t thought about and you just might do so….please, put your minds to work!”
The Governor’s video message can be viewed at: http://governor.ky.gov/ideas/.
Now, this sort of idea skimming from employees has been around Frankfort for a long time. As far as it being innovative, I’m sure there is a suggestion on file somewhere that buying shorter buggy whips will reduce state expenditures.
But I did notice two things about Beshear’s plan that seems different from Ernie Fletcher’s plan. First based on the websites it looks like Finance instead of Personnel is running the show and second Ernie was at least willing to share the wealth.
Employees who suggest implemented ideas receive awards ranging from a minimum of $100 to 10 percent of the first-year savings ($2,500 maximum award.)
A press release on Ernie’s Plan is below:
Click Here To Make State Government More Efficient
February 7, 2005
On January 28 Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced state government employees can now use a new Internet-based system to submit suggestions on making state government more efficient, thanks to the newly-launched Employee Suggestion System Web site.
The newly enhanced system puts Kentucky on top in recognizing and managing the ideas of employees. “My administration continues its commitment to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and inefficiencies in state government,” said Gov. Fletcher. “Through the Employee Suggestion Systems, employees are able to play a role in making this happen by suggesting ways to increase efficiencies and save money. I encourage each and every state employee to use this system — a system which empowers employees to make a difference in state government.”
The Kentucky Employee Suggestion System is an incentive program designed to encourage merit employees to participate in good management by submitting their suggestions for implementation. Employees who suggest implemented ideas receive awards ranging from a minimum of $100 to 10 percent of the first-year savings ($2,500 maximum award.)
The Personnel Cabinet has partnered with IDMS, a Kentucky-based solutions development firm, to deliver a system that takes advantage of the best practices in the area of idea management. Together they have revolutionized the concept of the traditional system to provide consistent submissions, approval and notification. Employees can now submit suggestions at the moment an idea occurs by utilizing a new online form, available 24-7. The form is simple, user-friendly and fast. Employees receive immediate confirmation and will be able to track their suggestion. “The Employee Suggestion System has successfully saved the commonwealth millions of dollars since its implementation,” said Personnel Cabinet Secretary Erwin Roberts. “With the enhanced system, we hope more state employees will participate in the program, resulting in more efficiency in state government, and in addition, more rewards for more employees whose ideas are selected.”
Last December 28 state employees were recognized for their implemented suggestions which saved more than $760,000. The five-year life savings from last year’s suggestions alone will amount to more than $3.8 million in savings. The Kentucky Employee Suggestion System was implemented in 1981. The first-year savings recognized since the system’s establishment is more than $26 million.
Employees can access the site at http://personnel.ky.gov.
Here’s my first suggestion, actually a question. Why do political appointees like Cabinet Secretaries need $25,000 Crown Vic’s to tool around Frankfort? Wouldn’t a $14,000 Focus work as well?
Certainly we could trim a few bucks from the multi-million dollar contract for Ford Crown Victorias.
Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office Governor Beshear Seeks Ideas & Input from State Employees: Initiative to make government more efficient and productive
Press Release Date:
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Contact Information:
Vicki Glass 502-564-2611
FRANKFORT, KY – On the morning following his first State of the Commonwealth address, Kentucky state government employees were greeted with a personal message from Governor Steve Beshear, asking for their help in addressing the Commonwealth’s looming budget crisis.
In an email, Gov. Beshear announced his efficiency initiative, requesting ideas from state employees on how to make Kentucky state government operations more cost-effective, productive and innovative.
“No idea is too big or too small,” Gov. Beshear said. “If it helps your department or agency become more economical, more innovative, more productive or more accountable, I want to hear about it.”
This government efficiency initiative will be administratively attached to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. State government employees may submit their ideas by clicking on the efficiency logo on the http://www.kentucky.gov homepage or by visiting the Finance Cabinet’s Web site at http://finance.ky.gov/ideas.htm. Ideas submitted via this electronic suggestion system will be collected and studied by the governor and his staff to determine merit, practicality, feasibility and legality.
“We are looking long and hard at every cost saving measure we can think of,” said Gov. Beshear. “But, I’m sure there are things we haven’t thought about and you just might do so….please, put your minds to work!”
The Governor’s video message can be viewed at: http://governor.ky.gov/ideas/.
Now, this sort of idea skimming from employees has been around Frankfort for a long time. As far as it being innovative, I’m sure there is a suggestion on file somewhere that buying shorter buggy whips will reduce state expenditures.
But I did notice two things about Beshear’s plan that seems different from Ernie Fletcher’s plan. First based on the websites it looks like Finance instead of Personnel is running the show and second Ernie was at least willing to share the wealth.
Employees who suggest implemented ideas receive awards ranging from a minimum of $100 to 10 percent of the first-year savings ($2,500 maximum award.)
A press release on Ernie’s Plan is below:
Click Here To Make State Government More Efficient
February 7, 2005
On January 28 Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced state government employees can now use a new Internet-based system to submit suggestions on making state government more efficient, thanks to the newly-launched Employee Suggestion System Web site.
The newly enhanced system puts Kentucky on top in recognizing and managing the ideas of employees. “My administration continues its commitment to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and inefficiencies in state government,” said Gov. Fletcher. “Through the Employee Suggestion Systems, employees are able to play a role in making this happen by suggesting ways to increase efficiencies and save money. I encourage each and every state employee to use this system — a system which empowers employees to make a difference in state government.”
The Kentucky Employee Suggestion System is an incentive program designed to encourage merit employees to participate in good management by submitting their suggestions for implementation. Employees who suggest implemented ideas receive awards ranging from a minimum of $100 to 10 percent of the first-year savings ($2,500 maximum award.)
The Personnel Cabinet has partnered with IDMS, a Kentucky-based solutions development firm, to deliver a system that takes advantage of the best practices in the area of idea management. Together they have revolutionized the concept of the traditional system to provide consistent submissions, approval and notification. Employees can now submit suggestions at the moment an idea occurs by utilizing a new online form, available 24-7. The form is simple, user-friendly and fast. Employees receive immediate confirmation and will be able to track their suggestion. “The Employee Suggestion System has successfully saved the commonwealth millions of dollars since its implementation,” said Personnel Cabinet Secretary Erwin Roberts. “With the enhanced system, we hope more state employees will participate in the program, resulting in more efficiency in state government, and in addition, more rewards for more employees whose ideas are selected.”
Last December 28 state employees were recognized for their implemented suggestions which saved more than $760,000. The five-year life savings from last year’s suggestions alone will amount to more than $3.8 million in savings. The Kentucky Employee Suggestion System was implemented in 1981. The first-year savings recognized since the system’s establishment is more than $26 million.
Employees can access the site at http://personnel.ky.gov.
Here’s my first suggestion, actually a question. Why do political appointees like Cabinet Secretaries need $25,000 Crown Vic’s to tool around Frankfort? Wouldn’t a $14,000 Focus work as well?
Certainly we could trim a few bucks from the multi-million dollar contract for Ford Crown Victorias.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)