June 3, 2003
LEADERS SHOW WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR ROMNEY REFORM AGENDA
Business and community leaders champion Romney’s reform effort
Governor Mitt Romney today was joined by a wide array of business leaders, community advocates and policy leaders to urge the Legislature to “put an end to government sprawl” by reforming state government.
Romney said his Article 87 plan to reform, restructure and revitalize state government will eliminate duplication, streamline departments and agencies and improve the delivery of services even in a time of diminished resources.
“Today we have assembled a coalition of individuals and organizations that don’t often agree on major public policy issues. However, what has brought them here today is a desire for change and reform that transcends ideological and partisan concerns,” Romney said.
Romney noted that 50 years of “government sprawl” has left the Commonwealth with an outdated, poorly designed bureaucracy that is ill equipped to deal with the modern day challenges facing the state.
He added, “These changes will bring state government out of the 1950’s and will finally allow state agencies to work together in a more collaborative manner. The need for reform is too great and I urge individual legislators not to use an objection to any one proposal as a reason for rejecting the entire plan.”
Romney’s Article 87 filing is a comprehensive proposal that makes much-needed changes to the existing Executive Branch structure and creates new executive offices for Education, Economic Affairs and Commonwealth Development. It also elevates four department heads to full secretary status: Labor, Housing, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs, creating a 13-member cabinet.
“Seven months ago the voters of Massachusetts elected a new governor, an outsider committed to reform. At the same time they signaled their disdain for higher taxes. The message from the voters was clear – citizens want serious, significant reform. They demand an end to business as usual on Beacon Hill,” said Stephen Adams, President of the Pioneer Institute.
He added, “Governor Romney’s restructuring plan can be the beginning of the end of business as usual. It can be the cornerstone of a modern, effective state government that can deliver high quality at a reasonable cost, if only the Legislature will let it.”
Andrea Watson, Project Coordinator for the Federation for Children agreed, “While reorganization will save money, what this is really about is doing a better job of helping those who require state services. Thank you for having the courage and foresight to reform the way the Commonwealth does business.”
“There has already been a great deal of progress made through the legislative budget process and I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to maintain the momentum of reform and give Massachusetts a new beginning,” said Romney.
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Advocates at Press Conference
Steve Adams, President, Pioneer Institute
Mitch Adams, Executive Director, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Chris Anderson, President, Massachusetts High Technology Council
Sergey Bologov, Executive Director, Russian Community of Massachusetts
Bernie Carey, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health
Linda Cox, Co-President, Esplanade Association
Pat Edraos, Policy Director, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Lori Ehrlich, Co-founder, HealthLink
Tobias Fisher, Executive Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Elizabeth Funk, Executive Director, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Corporation
Bob Gale, President, Massachusetts Veterans’ Services Officers Association
Jeff Grogan, Partner, The Monitor Group
Jim Hunt, President and CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Totli Krua, Executive Director, Universal Human Rights International
Bill McCarriston, Chairman, State Rehabilitation Council
John Pourbaix, President, Construction Industries of Massachusetts
Tom Sullivan, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
John Suttich, Director of Public Affairs, Massachusetts Business Roundtable
David Tuerck, Executive Director, Beacon Hill Institute
Andrea Watson, Project Coordinator, Federation for Children
Donna Wells, Executive Director, Parent Alliance League
Elizabeth Zarella, Director for Advocacy, Home for Little Wanderers
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