Editor’s note: This oped is by Jason Gibbs, a Republican candidate for Vermont Secretary of State and former press secretary and commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in the Douglas administration.
My campaign for Secretary of State is about strengthening the economy and reducing the tax burden by making government more innovative, efficient, productive and valuable.
Ultimately, it’s the energy and imagination of entrepreneurs that will ensure our economy emerges from this Great Recession stronger and more resilient. For government to be a more valuable partner in growing the economy it must recognize it is the junior partner (hence the term “public servant”) and embrace the nimble and creative mindset that successful enterprise thrives upon.
The Secretary of State has an opportunity, and an obligation, to lead by example. We must rethink, revitalize and reform policies and systems throughout state government. The days of measuring the productivity of government based on spending must end.
As Secretary of State, I will demonstrate how government can provide better, more efficient and less costly services—real results that improve outcomes and reduce reliance on taxpayers. I’ll start by simplifying and streamlining the business registration, professional licensing and regulatory functions of the Secretary of State’s office. But we can’t stop there. This transformation must occur all across state government.
When I was commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, we were confronted with the realities of a declining economy. Under my leadership, the Department embraced a bold new entrepreneurial approach to problem solving in government. We focused on generating economic activity and reducing reliance on taxpayers. We were agile and innovative—capable of adapting quickly and in ways that improve service and maximize efficiency and productivity. The results were significant.
In just 19 months, FPR reduced General Fund taxpayer financed spending by more than 30 percent (more than $2 million); increased productivity by streamlining processes; and minimized reliance on taxpayers while maximizing the value of every tax dollar invested.
Moreover, timber sales conducted by private loggers increased 28 percent. More than 1,300 cords of fuel wood was made available for Vermonters last year, including 900 cords from the “cut your own” roadside lot program; and the number of sites on state land available to maple sugar producers more than doubled.
To further reduce reliance on taxpayers, we worked hard to increase park attendance. We expanded use of Internet-based communications tools; revitalized our Web site; created customer-centric online purchasing and reservation tools; and added innovative new programs like “Check Out the Parks” library passes, which allows Vermonters to borrow a park pass the same way you borrow a library book. We also embarked on a record-setting $8.1 million capital construction program that is creating hundreds of private sector construction jobs across the state, revitalizing the park system and improving the guest experience.
Last summer, park visits (and local economic activity) increased nearly 10 percent—despite extraordinarily chilly and wet weather in June and July. Reservations for this season continue to trend upward. Most importantly, these efforts have put the system on a path to eliminate its reliance on taxpayers.
This progress wasn’t easy. But FPR fought back against the recession and demonstrated that government can be innovative, less costly and a true partner to private sector economic activity.
More to the point, this represents a cultural shift in public management that can take hold in every area of government. And we need it to.
We need innovative leaders who understand that there’s no better way to balance the state budget than to grow the economy; there’s no better social program than a good job; and there’s no better way to achieve these outcomes than by proving that government can, in fact, do considerably more with significantly less.
That is why I am running for Secretary of State; and I would be very grateful for your support.