Nevada’s Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission (see previous post here) issued its first set of recommendations to Governor Jim Gibbons yesterday. From the press release:
The first set of recommendations from the Nevada Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission was delivered to Governor Jim Gibbons at the State Capitol today. The recommendations represent as much as $500 million in potential savings or enhanced revenue opportunities over a five-year period if all recommendations are acted upon. First year of implementation savings or enhanced revenue potential after implementation costs is an estimated $81 million. [. . .] Included in this first 90-day report to the Governor are the following recommendations:
- Centralizing the billing for third party pay services in Mental Health and Developmental Services.
- Evaluating staffing ratios in state operated psychiatric facilities.
- Implementing Managed Care for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) groups in the Medicaid program in Clark and Washoe Counties, and expanding Managed Care to women and children in four rural counties (Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey).
- Acquiring Distributive School Funding (DSA) for the Nevada Youth Training Facility in Elko, in keeping with the approach at other facilities in this category.
- Completing the downsizing of the DMV night shift while maintaining the goal of a five-day turnaround on automobile titles.
- Identifying and coordinating the activities of all departments, agencies and institutions of the Executive Department that administer or provide funding to local governments for drug and alcohol abuse programs.
- Establishing a program for discounted local digital printing, copying, finishing and delivery services for taxpayer supported government agencies throughout the State.
- Examining ways to use the Indigent Accident Fund and Supplemental Relief Fund to obtain matching federal funds for the Medicaid and Nevada Check Up programs.
- Identifying the most cost-effective solution to updating the DMV auto insurance verification program with the goal of reducing the number of uninsured motorists in Nevada to 10% or less from the current level of 17-19%.
- Closing the Nevada State Prison in Carson City immediately and reassigning inmates and staff to other facilities.
- Evaluating a four-day, 10-hour workweek for all non-critical Nevada State employees.
Full report here. More details at sagenevada.org “ Reason’s Privatization and Government Reform Research and Commentary “ Reason’s Annual Privatization Report 2008