Regis Philbin
Mar 4th, 2008, 06:05 PM
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695258427,00.html
Utah's No. 1 for governing
By Suzanne Struglinski
Deseret Morning News
Published: Tuesday, March 4, 2008
WASHINGTON — Utah is the best-managed state in the country, based on a report card of state governments released Monday.
The Pew Center on States Government Performance Project for 2008 gave Utah an overall "A minus" for how the state government manages information, people, money and infrastructure. Virginia and Washington also received high scores, but Utah came out on top.
"Utah manages itself with savvy business acumen," according to the report. "Financial decisions are made wisely with an eye toward return on investment and long-term performance in all facets of state government."
Peter Harkness, editor and publisher of Governing Magazine, which published the report, said the fact Utah's government is "homogenous" — made up mainly of Republicans — helps, but the report found that "the level of coordination between the governor's office and the Legislature goes beyond party loyalty."
Harkness said at the report's release in Washington Monday that Utah's officials are constantly asked what they do to make the government work so well.
"I think people from Utah are talked out at this point," said Harkness, who coincidentally is a part-time Utah resident with a house in Park City. He said Utah citizens are more open about their expectations from their state government, and politicians respond to it.
Utah's No. 1 for governing
By Suzanne Struglinski
Deseret Morning News
Published: Tuesday, March 4, 2008
WASHINGTON — Utah is the best-managed state in the country, based on a report card of state governments released Monday.
The Pew Center on States Government Performance Project for 2008 gave Utah an overall "A minus" for how the state government manages information, people, money and infrastructure. Virginia and Washington also received high scores, but Utah came out on top.
"Utah manages itself with savvy business acumen," according to the report. "Financial decisions are made wisely with an eye toward return on investment and long-term performance in all facets of state government."
Peter Harkness, editor and publisher of Governing Magazine, which published the report, said the fact Utah's government is "homogenous" — made up mainly of Republicans — helps, but the report found that "the level of coordination between the governor's office and the Legislature goes beyond party loyalty."
Harkness said at the report's release in Washington Monday that Utah's officials are constantly asked what they do to make the government work so well.
"I think people from Utah are talked out at this point," said Harkness, who coincidentally is a part-time Utah resident with a house in Park City. He said Utah citizens are more open about their expectations from their state government, and politicians respond to it.