Government is defined as “the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; and political administration.”
Reform is defined as “the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.”
Did you know there's an independent voice for government reform in our state's capitol? It's called the Little Hoover Commission and it is charged with reviewing executive branch agencies and programs for efficiency and effectiveness. The 13-member Commission has nine public members: five appointed by the governor, two by the Senate Rules Committee and two by the speaker of the Assembly.
Chamber member (SDG&E VP of Government Affairs) and Carlsbad resident Mitch Mitchell was initially appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004, reappointed in 2010, and currently serves as Vice Chairman. The Commission membership also includes two senators and two members of the Assembly. Carlsbad's State Senator Mark Wyland was appointed by the Senate Rules Committee in February 2011. The Commission is bipartisan by statute, and its members are not paid. Over a typical year, the Commission conducts four to five comprehensive reviews of public agencies or policies and makes recommendations for improving performance.
The Commission's mission is to investigate state government operations and, through reports, recommendations and legislative proposals, promote efficiency, economy and improved service. The Commission selects study topics (often ones that are overlooked) that come to its attention from citizens, legislators and other sources. In addition, it has a statutory obligation to review and make recommendations on proposed government reorganization plans.
Unlike fiscal or performance audits, the Commission's studies look beyond whether programs comply with existing requirements, instead exploring how programs could and should function in today's world. The Commission produces in-depth, well documented reports that serve as a factual basis for crafting effective reform legislation. Based on its reports, the Commission follows through with legislation to implement its recommendations, building coalitions, testifying at hearings, and providing technical support to policy makers. Under the direction of a subcommittee of Commissioners, staff conducts research by bringing key players together for discussions, contacting experts, reviewing academic literature and interviewing those most closely affected by the targeted topic.
Public hearings serve to inform the Commissioners and educate the legislators, the public and the media about the problem areas. The subcommittee develops findings and recommendations that focus on the key issues, and forwards a draft report to the full Commission for its consideration. Once a final report is released, the Commission works to implement its recommendations either through legislation or administrative changes. Progress reports are issued in the years following the initial report until the Commission's recommendations have been enacted or its concerns have been addressed.
The most recent report released is titled “Public Pensions for Retirement Security.” Reports released last year include “Smart State Management,” “Managing for Change: Modernizing California's Water Governance,” and “Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development.”
The governor has the authority to examine the organization of executive branch agencies and determine what changes may be necessary to promote more efficient and effective government services. The reorganization process can be used to consolidate, transfer or abolish programs and agencies. The law requires the governor to submit any reorganization plan to the Commission at least 30 days prior to submitting the plan to the Legislature. The Commission's role in the reorganization process is only advisory but assesses the plan based on its broad mandate to assist policy makers in promoting economy, efficiency and improved service in the transaction of the public business.
The Commission makes a recommendation to the governor and the Legislature as to whether it believes the reorganization plan should go into effect. The Commission sometimes offers recommendations for how the plan could be strengthened or measures that should be taken if the plan is implemented.
The Chambers' Government Affairs Committee will explore opportunities to support the Commission's activities insomuch as they are consistent with our mission. I encourage you to visit the Commission's Web site at www.lhc.ca.gov to view their activities and reports.
Reform is defined as “the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.”
Did you know there's an independent voice for government reform in our state's capitol? It's called the Little Hoover Commission and it is charged with reviewing executive branch agencies and programs for efficiency and effectiveness. The 13-member Commission has nine public members: five appointed by the governor, two by the Senate Rules Committee and two by the speaker of the Assembly.
Chamber member (SDG&E VP of Government Affairs) and Carlsbad resident Mitch Mitchell was initially appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004, reappointed in 2010, and currently serves as Vice Chairman. The Commission membership also includes two senators and two members of the Assembly. Carlsbad's State Senator Mark Wyland was appointed by the Senate Rules Committee in February 2011. The Commission is bipartisan by statute, and its members are not paid. Over a typical year, the Commission conducts four to five comprehensive reviews of public agencies or policies and makes recommendations for improving performance.
The Commission's mission is to investigate state government operations and, through reports, recommendations and legislative proposals, promote efficiency, economy and improved service. The Commission selects study topics (often ones that are overlooked) that come to its attention from citizens, legislators and other sources. In addition, it has a statutory obligation to review and make recommendations on proposed government reorganization plans.
Unlike fiscal or performance audits, the Commission's studies look beyond whether programs comply with existing requirements, instead exploring how programs could and should function in today's world. The Commission produces in-depth, well documented reports that serve as a factual basis for crafting effective reform legislation. Based on its reports, the Commission follows through with legislation to implement its recommendations, building coalitions, testifying at hearings, and providing technical support to policy makers. Under the direction of a subcommittee of Commissioners, staff conducts research by bringing key players together for discussions, contacting experts, reviewing academic literature and interviewing those most closely affected by the targeted topic.
Public hearings serve to inform the Commissioners and educate the legislators, the public and the media about the problem areas. The subcommittee develops findings and recommendations that focus on the key issues, and forwards a draft report to the full Commission for its consideration. Once a final report is released, the Commission works to implement its recommendations either through legislation or administrative changes. Progress reports are issued in the years following the initial report until the Commission's recommendations have been enacted or its concerns have been addressed.
The most recent report released is titled “Public Pensions for Retirement Security.” Reports released last year include “Smart State Management,” “Managing for Change: Modernizing California's Water Governance,” and “Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development.”
The governor has the authority to examine the organization of executive branch agencies and determine what changes may be necessary to promote more efficient and effective government services. The reorganization process can be used to consolidate, transfer or abolish programs and agencies. The law requires the governor to submit any reorganization plan to the Commission at least 30 days prior to submitting the plan to the Legislature. The Commission's role in the reorganization process is only advisory but assesses the plan based on its broad mandate to assist policy makers in promoting economy, efficiency and improved service in the transaction of the public business.
The Commission makes a recommendation to the governor and the Legislature as to whether it believes the reorganization plan should go into effect. The Commission sometimes offers recommendations for how the plan could be strengthened or measures that should be taken if the plan is implemented.
The Chambers' Government Affairs Committee will explore opportunities to support the Commission's activities insomuch as they are consistent with our mission. I encourage you to visit the Commission's Web site at www.lhc.ca.gov to view their activities and reports.