Budgetary hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling resumes on Jan. 11 in Olympia when legislators convene their 2010 session. The challenge of closing a projected $2.9 billion deficit will make many of the politicians wonder why they ever signed up for this gig. But at least this session won’t be as excruciating as the session of 2009, which included the task of closing a $9 billion budget shortfall.
But consider these two stark realities: Many of the most effective cuts were made in the previous session, and much of the federal stimulus support will dry up soon. This predicament will inspire many Democrats to call for tax increases, which, as we’ve editorialized repeatedly, would be the worst possible solution during a devastating recession and when the full potential of reform has yet to be explored.
But here comes Santa Sonntag with a bag full of cost-cutting suggestions. State Auditor Brian Sonntag is one of Washington’s most nonpartisan (he’s a Democrat), objective and powerful public servants. With that reputation, he’s held the office for 17 years, and in 2008 no other statewide official could match Sonntag’s 63.5 percent of votes received. His office has conducted 23 audits of state and local agencies, identifying billions of dollars in recommended savings.
On Thursday, Sonntag’s office released a State Government Performance Review that advises how to become “faster and more results-oriented … more streamlined and less costly … (and) more accountable and responsive to the public’s priorities.” That “less costly” part got our attention. We hope all legislators (especially those pondering tax increases) read the report thoroughly.
Sonntag states in the report: “For such a time as this, state government has an opportunity and a need to significantly change how it does business.” This is the louder, authoritative call for reform that Washingtonians have long needed. The report delves into three areas:
Shared services — Between $6.6 million and $9.7 million could be saved if lawmakers follow Sonntag’s advice and reduce the number of agency data centers; consolidate mainframes under one shared service provider; standardize and centralize information technology support; consolidate and reduce information servers; eliminate duplication in network resources; emphasize e-mail administration and provide competitively priced shared data storage.
Lease management — Sonntag wants to manage leases as a statewide portfolio; centralize the lease payment system; review and maximize use of leased space; contract with commercial real estate brokers; make the state’s lease rates more competitive with the private sector; and establish performance goals for all agencies involved in leasing.
Government reform — Sonntag recommends an amnesty program for delinquent or unregistered taxpayers, offering a one-time waiver of penalties and interest. Louisiana raked in $303 million with such a program. He also recommends garnishing delinquent amounts owed the state from payments to federal vendors; increasing the amount of Medicaid pharmacy overpayments that are recovered by expanding an audit program; consolidating and reducing state printing operations; and getting serious, finally, about privatizing state liquor sales.
He acknowledges that union contracts could obstruct many of these efforts. All the more reason, we say, to get tougher when union contracts come up for renewal.
It’s time to stop wringing hands, etc., and get serious about reforming state government. Santa Sonntag arrives in the nick of time. For details about the audit, visit www.sao.wa.gov and click on “State Auditor outlines Opportunities for Washington.”
