Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman Release Government Efficiency Plan to Save Maryland Taxpayers over $1.5 Billion

Press Release

Today, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and County Executive Ken Ulman released their Government Efficiency Plan, a comprehensive proposal that will save Maryland taxpayers over $1.5 billion over the next four years and ensure that Maryland continues to maintain a responsible budget that is within its means.

Saturday, the government savings plan previously released by Republican candidate Larry Hogan was debunked by the Baltimore Sun, which said that it "doesn't add up." According to the Sun, Hogan's "$1.75 billion figure is inflated by at least $843 million, or roughly half," with Hogan making such basic mistakes as: putting a decimal point in the wrong place to create a $107.5 million error; erroneously counting a $285 million savings from undervalued land assessments when that would have required the state taxing it at a 100% rate -- the true value of the savings was just over $319,200; and counting an additional $450 million that no audits have said was misspent.

"Fiscal responsibility is more than just a catchphrase -- it's one of the most fundamental duties of leadership and allows us to build the kind of efficient, responsive government that Marylanders deserve," said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. "That's why Ken Ulman and I are determined to make sure Marylanders get the most value and efficiency from their tax dollars possible. The Brown-Ulman Government Efficiency Plan will stay true to our values while cutting costs, promoting efficiency, improving our business climate, and protecting Maryland's taxpayers."

"Larry Hogan has based his entire campaign on this financial house of cards," said Brown-Ulman campaign manager Justin Schall. "This is the only so called "plan' he's released and it demonstrates an alarming level of incompetence. This proves Hogan is not a serious candidate for governor, and certainly not ready to lead Maryland's economy."

The Brown-Ulman Government Efficiency plan will launch a comprehensive statewide efficiency review of all state spending and operations to identify the greatest opportunities to save taxpayer dollars while creating a more effective and efficient state government. Brown and Ulman will create StateStat 2.0 to increase oversight and accountability of government, and use the data generated to tie agencies' budgets to performance.

The plan seeks to identify areas where intergovernmental coordination and collaboration can be increased, while reforming and modernizing the state's procurement process and vehicle management policies. The proposal also prioritizes increased efficiency and accountability in Medicaid and keeping state employees healthier through the reduction of chronic disease.

At the local level, the Brown-Ulman administration will establish a grant program to help local governments explore cost-saving innovations. The Government Efficiency Plan will also improve interactivity with state government by launching the Serve Maryland and Clear Maryland initiatives to boost public responsiveness and transparency.

The Brown-Ulman Government Efficiency plan will:

1. Save Taxpayer Dollars -- A More Efficient State Government
Operations
a. Undertake a Statewide Comprehensive Efficiency Review
b. Increase Intergovernmental Coordination and Collaboration
c. Reward Employee Innovation

Purchasing
a. Implement Strategic Sourcing
b. Modernize Vehicle Management
c. Expand Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)

Health and Wellness
a. Increase Efficiency and Accountability in Medicaid
b. Reduce Chronic Disease Among State Employees and Retirees

Public Safety
a. Reduce Incarceration by Increasing Graduation
b. Marijuana Decriminalization
c. Increase Community Monitoring for Non-Violent Offenders

2. Maximize Taxpayer Dollars -- Using Innovation and Incentives to Provide Services

a. Utilize Public-Private Partnerships
b. Pay for Success
c. Encourage Cost-Saving Innovation at the Local Level

3. Protect Taxpayer Dollars -- Evaluate State Spending and Enhance Performance

a. Increase Responsiveness -- Launch the "Serve Maryland" Initiative
b. Enhance Transparency -- Launch the "Clear Maryland" Initiative
c. Ensure Accountability -- Launch StateStat 2.0
d. Tie Agencies' Budgets to Performance

Source