cherry - Lieutenant Governor Expanding Opportunities for Citizens to Comment on Streamlining State Government

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Lieutenant Governor Expanding Opportunities for Citizens to Comment on Streamlining State Government

Contact: Megan Brown 517-335-6397

August 20, 2009

Escanaba town hall scheduled for Sept. 2; new Web and social networking sites launched

LANSING - Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.'s workgroup on streamlining government is offering citizens new options for participating in the on-going conversation on what services a streamlined government should provide. Cherry has scheduled another town hall meeting on the issue September 2 in Escanaba and has also launched new social networking tools to enhance the conversation.

"Since starting work on the government streamlining initiative earlier this year, citizens from across the state have taken time to share their ideas on the core functions of state government," Cherry said. "We want to make it easier than ever for people to participate in this very important discussion about Michigan's future."

To enable more citizens to be part of this important conversation on Michigan's future, the lieutenant governor has unveiled a new Website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed devoted to the streamlining initiative. The new Website (and links to the Facebook page and Twitter feed) can be found at: www.michigan.gov/streamlining.

The lieutenant governor will travel to the Upper Peninsula September 2 for his sixth town hall meeting on streamlining government. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the event that will begin at 6 p.m. in the Heirman Center at Bay de Noc Community College, 2001 North Lincoln Road, Escanaba.

In her 2009 State of the State address earlier this year, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm charged Lieutenant Governor Cherry with leading the initiative to streamline Michigan's government and reduce the number of state departments. Cherry leads a workgroup that includes staff from the executive office and various state departments supplemented by academic resources from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.

Cherry's group has identified seven core functions of state government. Each function would be delegated to one state department. The seven core functions identified are:

- Public safety. Protecting people's personal safety is paramount. People should feel safe in their homes, workplaces and communities.

- Education. From early childhood through all stages of adulthood, Michigan citizens expect a public education system to provide them the skills and abilities necessary for good jobs.

- Public systems. State government, in partnership with federal and local government, should build and maintain a physical infrastructure that supports public transportation, water and waste management systems, public utilities, information technology, public recreation and other public facilities.

- Well-being. People should be free from hunger and have access to medical care and safe shelter.

- Sustainability. State government should steward Michigan's land, air, ecosystems and water resources in a sustainable manner.

- Economic opportunity and prosperity. The state should encourage job creation, stimulate entrepreneurship, and promote the state's existing and emerging industries.

- Efficiency and effectiveness. State government should be efficient, deliver services effectively, and be transparent in decision-making and spending.

At town halls previously held in Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit and Royal Oak, Lieutenant Governor Cherry received public input on these core functions, which will serve as the basis for restructuring proposals.

The lieutenant governor intends to issue his formal recommendations in early 2010.

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