OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A major state-agency restructuring that’s in the works after July 15 is setting off alarms for organized labor. But Gov. Chris Gregoire’s aides say it gives government a chance to run more efficiently and save $18 million.
The Olympian reports the changes are part of the consolidation of five major agencies into two new agencies and one old one – the governor’s Office of Financial Management.
The most disrupted are those at the departments of General Administration, Information Services, Personnel and the State Printer, but also at Financial Management, which is gaining oversight over information technology purchases in all state agencies.
The Washington Federation of State Employees is crying foul over provisions in the bill that make it easier to farm out state-provided services to private businesses.
