Governor Jan Brewer Announces COPE Commission Moving Forward to Streamline State Government Operations

Press Release

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the Commission on Privatization and Efficiency (COPE), which was established in January of this year and announced as part of Governor Brewer's State of the State Address, is moving forward with its efforts to streamline state government operations, and as such, will be hosting an open hearing on June 14 to solicit ideas from the private sector, policy experts, and citizens.

"Arizona citizens deserve the best and most effective government in return for their hard-earned tax dollars," said Governor Brewer. "COPE was created to identify state services and agencies whose functions can be eliminated, consolidated, streamlined or outsourced to achieve greater operational efficiency in meeting the needs of our citizens."

"Systemic reform is necessary to reduce the cost of government to a level that can be economically sustained by the people of Arizona," said Mark Brnovich, COPE Chairman and Director of the Department of Gaming. "Pursuing privatization of certain services may provide the best opportunity for their continued existence."

The recommendations made by COPE will be aimed at right-sizing state government to meet fiscal realities. The commission's initial report (due July 30, 2010) will focus on short term recommendations, while the final report (due December 31, 2010) will propose structural changes to position the state for long-term stability.

As part of the process, the commission will solicit ideas from the private sector, policy experts, and citizens. An open hearing has been scheduled at the Department of Administration (100 N. 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Room) on June 14th from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to allow the public to provide input directly to COPE. Ideas for enhancing the efficiency of Arizona's government can also be submitted through the committee's website at www.azcope.gov.

"I look forward to the opportunity to hear specific ideas from the public on how taxpayers' money can be spent more wisely," said Carol Springer, Yavapai County Supervisor, former state treasurer, former state senate appropriations chair and COPE committee member. "I am honored to serve amongst the most fiscally responsible and innovative minds in Arizona, including accomplished leaders in state budgeting and private enterprise."

Governor Brewer is among leading executives from across the country now taking similar approaches to tackle serious fiscal challenges. Last year, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal established the Commission on Streamlining Government, which identified over 230 recommendations that could save the state in excess of $1 billion. Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell recently announced a similar commission with the shared goal of saving taxpayer dollars and producing a leaner state government. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's privatization task force is working to produce cost saving recommendations by the end of this month.

COPE committee members include: Mark Brnovich, Chairman; Carol Springer; David Raber, Interim Director for the Department of Administration; John Halikowski, Director of the Department of Transportation; Stan Levine, Paradise Valley businessman; Leonard Gilroy, Director of Government Reform for the Reason Foundation; Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; John Arnold, Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting; Chad Kirkpatrick, Director of the Government Information Technology Agency; Robert Burns, President of the Senate; and Kirk Adams, Speaker of the House.

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