George W. Bush 2000 On The Issues
Government
Modernization
Governor Bush has offered a
comprehensive reform agenda that will ensure that every child is educated;
lift the income tax burden on Americans; save and strengthen social
security; and revitalize our military. To make this vision a reality
will require a departure from the old ways of government. The
success of each initiative will depend on reforms within government
itself. Governor Bush will put citizens back in charge of government by
making government more citizen-centered and accountable.
Governor Bush’s Principles
A new government for a new century. Governor Bush believes
that the federal government has failed to learn the lessons of the New
Economy. Unlike American businesses and state and local governments
which have embraced new business and governance models, the federal
government is based on an out-dated, hierarchical system developed over 50
years ago.
A “limited, but active” government. True government
reform must be based on a reexamination of the role of the federal
government itself, rather than simply oiling old machinery. Governor
Bush has called for “limited, but active” government that empowers
states, cities and citizens to make decisions, ensures results through
accountability, and promotes innovation through competition.
A government that is citizen-centered, results-oriented, and
market-based. To help the federal government adapt to a rapidly
changing world, Governor Bush will reform and modernize government on the
basis of the following three key principles. Government must be
- “Citizen-Centered,” not bureaucracy oriented;
- “Results-oriented,” not process oriented; and
- “Market-based,” – actively promoting, not stifling, innovation
and competition.
Bush Government Plan
Citizen-Centered. Governor Bush will put citizens back in
charge of government by flattening the federal hierarchy and investing
in technology so that customers can get information and transact
business with government online.
- Flatten the Federal Hierarchy. Governor Bush will flatten the
federal hierarchy, bringing government closer to citizens by not
replacing 40,000 senior and middle managers who will retire over the
next eight years, and eliminating the new layers of management created
by the current Administration.
- Accelerate the implementation of a “citizen-centered”
e-government Governor will appoint a government-wide Chief
Information Officer, and creating a $100 million fund to support
interagency e-government initiatives, especially ones enabling
individuals to drill directly into the bureaucracy.
Results Oriented. Governor Bush will make government more
“results-oriented” by establishing accountability systems that
allow citizens to judge whether performance is taking place. Specifically,
he will:
- Ensure financial accountability by requiring agencies to pass
their annual audit.
- Enforce the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) so
that funds flow to programs that work. Agency Inspectors General
will certify the accuracy of GPRA reports, and OMB will factor the
results into its budget recommendations.
- Support legislation establishing a bipartisan “Sunset Review
Board” to recommend elimination of duplicative and ineffective
programs.
- Convert federal service contracts to performance-based contracts
wherever possible.
- Reform the civil service by establishing performance-based
incentives to reward achievement and recruit skilled private sector
talent.
Market-Based. Governor Bush believes that government
should be market-based – encouraging competition, innovation, and
choice. When Government attempts to dominate any field, there is
little reward for innovation and little regard for customers.
- Establish the goal of moving all significant government
procurement to the Internet.
- Open federal positions involving commercial activities to
competition from the private sector wherever possible.
Texas Record
Under Governor Bush's leadership, Texas enacted reforms to make
government more citizen-centered, results-oriented, and market-based.
Specifically, Governor Bush:
Held agencies accountable for results. Texas was one of the
first state governments to hold agencies accountable to
performance-based standards. Governor Bush has worked closely with the
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in its efforts to streamline state
government. The commission periodically reviews the efficiency
and effectiveness of state agency operations and policies and has
saved the state $630 million since 1982.
Reformed Texas’ welfare and workforce development system.
In 1995, Governor Bush reformed the Texas Workforce Commission
to bring workforce development closer to the people who need it most.
Texas consolidated 28 programs from 10 different state agencies
into one agency –the Texas Workforce Commission – cutting overhead
and red tape. Decision making was devolved to 28 newly-created
local workforce development boards to develop and operate workforce
training programs.
Promoted Texas e-Government to bring Government closer to Texans.
On July 3, Texas launched its e-Government Portal, which will enable
individuals and businesses to conduct state business online. When
fully implemented, the Website will provide businesses and individuals
with one-stop Internet access for conducting transactions with state
and local governments.
Deterred Medicaid Fraud. Texas has employed new network
technology to detect and deter fraud in the states Medicaid program.
As a result, the state has recovered more that $4.2 million in
inappropriately paid medical claims.
Position Proposals
- Fact
Sheet: Get Results From Government
Source: George W. Bush for President 2000 Web Site |
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