News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: February 4, 1997 Contact: Senator Sean Parnell 907/465-2995

Bill To Hold State Agencies Accountable

Requires Agencies to Submit Long Range Plans

JUNEAU - In an effort to hold a state agency accountable for its performance, Senator Sean Parnell (R-Anchorage) introduced legislation Tuesday requiring agencies to engage in long-range planning.

"This bill will make government more accountable for how it spends money," said Senator Parnell, sponsor of Senate Bill 76. "By requiring state agencies to create long range plans, we can better prioritize our use of state funds and reshape government so it is more result driven and citizen oriented."

Parnell noted that SB 76 requires long range planning by all departments of state government and asks the departments to publicize performance measures and results. Similar legislation last year was vetoed by Governor Knowles.

"This legislation will make the budget more open and understandable to Alaskans," said Parnell. "The Governor and Legislature will refer to the agency’s long-range plan when evaluating funding based on whether the agency achieved its goals and objectives."

SB 76 calls for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate the departments' long range planning effort. In the first year, three agencies will be chosen by OMB to establish goals and performance measures. The remaining agencies will come on line with the new budget process the following year.

"With declining state revenues and a goal to achieve our Republican-led Majority’s Five-Year Financial Plan, we must research ways to reduce wasteful spending," said Parnell. "In order to do this, the Governor and Legislature need a rational, objective mechanism for establishing funding priorities. Those funding priorities should reflect a long-term focus on performance and accountability for expenditures."

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