May 2005

May 2005

Dear Fellow Rhode Islander:

Last year, the Fiscal Fitness team began implementing ideas designed not only to save taxpayers millions of dollars but also to change the way we run state government.

Today, Im pleased to report that we have already achieved unprecedented success. As we approach the end of year one of the planned three-year implementation phase, we have already made significant progress on our efforts to streamline state government, improve the delivery of state services, and save taxpayer money.

Fiscal Fitness ideas currently being implemented are projected to save Rhode Island taxpayers approximately $128 million. At the same time, we have made state services more accessible to our citizens.

But this is only the beginning of the Fiscal Fitness mission. While the results have already gained national attention, we have only just begun to implement the major structural improvements that will ensure our states fiscal fitness for future generations.

My goal from the beginning was to save taxpayer dollars by reducing waste, improving efficiency and by eliminating fraud and abuse. I am happy to report that we are right on track and we are making steady progress in all of these areas. Millions of dollars have been saved through negotiating a new employee health care contract. Millions more have been recovered from tax scofflaws. And the lines at the DMV are noticeably shorter.

The consolidation and centralization of our Legal, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities Management departments, where fully implemented, have already resulted in lower costs of operation, greater efficiencies, improved service and greater professional opportunities for our employees. Fiscal Fitness is working!

However, there is much more to do, and there are even greater challenges on the horizon. The stakes are high and the opposition to change is formidable. In order to fully realize our Fiscal Fitness goals, we will need the continued support of the General Assembly. We must also ask the various state employee unions to acknowledge that the changes we are making are both fair to our employees and good for Rhode Island taxpayers.

I encourage you to click below to review both the Fiscal Fitness highlights, and to read the detailed report, so that you can fully appreciate how much progress we have made. I also want to thank the Fiscal Fitness team and every state employee who contributed their talents and ideas to this initiative. Their insight and determination are truly appreciated.

Over the coming year, I am hopeful that everyone will support the changes that are imperative for a fiscally fit Rhode Island.

Donald L. Carcieri

 

"Fiscal Fitness is already saving Rhode Island taxpayers more than $128 million. Fiscal Fitness has also made state government significantly more customer-friendly. Anyone who has visited the DMV in the last year can see the difference that Fiscal Fitness reforms have made"
— Governor Carcieri