AAC


COVER STORY Governor announces government transformation plan


(From the Governor’s Office) In October, Gov. Asa Hutchin- son unveiled his plan to cut the number of cabinet-level agencies from 42 to 15. Tis is first comprehensive effort to trim state gov- ernment since 1972. “Tis long-overdue and comprehensive reorganization effort will


realign agencies to reflect a more modern and efficient way to oper- ate state government without cutting any services,” Hutchinson said during his presentation at the Arkansas State Capitol. “Tis will re- sult in improved delivery of services and will ultimately save the state money and the taxpayer time.” “Additionally, as was the case in the creation of the U.S. Depart- ment of Homeland Security during my time as Undersecretary, all reorganization efforts will be implemented using existing resources and without adding any additional staff,” he said. Te Governor’s proposal accomplishes six key objectives to im-


prove state government: 1. Tis proposal will reduce the number of cabinet-level agencies


by nearly 65 percent, from 42 to 15 without sacrificing services. Tis move will increase an agency head’s flexibility to make quicker decisions that will improve the quality and delivery of services. 2. Te proposed mergers will strengthen the affected agencies


by providing more resources while at the same time eliminating duplicative processes. For example, both the Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) will be strengthened by bringing ANRC under AAD. And the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) will be strengthened by bringing the two departments into one larger cabinet group. NOTE: Higher Education Institutions will remain independent. 3. Tis proposal will assign more than 200 boards and commis-


sions to a larger umbrella department. NOTE: Regulatory and Licensing Boards will retain their au- thority and revenue sources. 4. Tis proposal will improve the delivery of services to Arkansas


taxpayers by breaking down silos within state government. For example, the Department of Health and 15 health-related


boards and commissions will be brought together under one um- brella department. And the new Department of Public Safety will bring all law enforcement and protection agencies together for the first time. 5. Tis proposal will improve management control through- out state government through the creation of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services: Office of Personnel Management Division of Procurement Employee Benefits Division Division of Building Authority Department of Information Systems Geographic Information Systems Tis proposal will allow agencies to maintain their independent


services, where appropriate. NOTE: Any agency/board/commission will retain its special reve-


nue streams required by law. Some agencies will remain independent for constitutional reasons or because of their specific function. 6. Tis proposal will create savings for the state and taxpayers beginning in the FY 2021 budget through lease and rent savings, shared services, and a more responsive management approach. Finally, in the same way the U.S. Department of Homeland Se- curity was created during Gov. Hutchinson’s time as Undersecre- tary of Homeland Security, all reorganization efforts will be imple- mented using existing resources and without adding staff.


The AAC policy team


Terry McNatt, Chair, Legislative Committee


Chris Villines, Executive Director


Mark Whitmore, Chief Legal Counsel


Josh Curtis,


Governmental Affairs Director


Lindsey Bailey, Legal Counsel


32


Eddie A. Jones, Consultant


Christy L. Smith, Communications Director


Anne Baker, Executive Assistant


COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018


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