Bacon's Rebellion

The Record of Accomplishment Could Have Been Even More Robust

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by

James A. Bacon
in

I’ve just read William Leighty’s recitation of the Warner Administration’s accomplishments in today’s Bacon’s Rebellion e-zine.

The list is long and there are impressive, undeniable accomplishments. As a cog in the state government machine, I might quibble with a few things on the list from my perspective, but by and large the results are real.

What I would say is that as a state employee, I never got the impression that this statement was anything other than a one-time, quick Administration initiative: “We forced agencies to re-examine longstanding practices and explore opportunities to bring business principles to state government.” Maybe it’s just the agency I work for, but I felt that anything I did, or anything anyone other than the Director did along those lines was not welcomed.

If you look at the accomplishments, most seem to carry a 2002 or 2003 date. The Administration started out like gangbusters and then seemed to ease up. Maybe that’s a downside of a term-limited governor. Maybe it’s the downside of a governor becoming a national figure. I noticed it in the previous administration. I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that the mini-scandals of DGIF et. al. occurred late in the Administration.

My point is that a new governor can build on these accomplishments and find lots more to reform, re-engineer, and re-vitalize. He can accomplish plenty throughout his administration if he really keeps his eye on the ball or is willing to delegate the power to spur agencies to higher performance to someone with clout.

An early congratulations to the Warner Administration for showing that reform is possible and for making significant contributions to good governance.

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  1. Steve Haner Avatar
    Steve Haner

    http://www.future.virginia.gov/

    Don’t know if that pasted link will work, but I think much of the waning energy of the administration has gone into the Council on Virginia’s Future. which could sputter out or could produce dramatic results in a future administration. I was pleased to see Leighty’s piece on the Rebellion (another sign you’ve arrived, Jim) and want to read it again. All administrations tend to puff their successes and ignore their failures, but this Governor has been serious about this effort from the beginning and with Leighty and Sandra Bowen had lieutenants equally committed to that cause.

    Yes, this is the tragedy of the one-term governor. The entrenched managers can just wait you out. It is the reason I am totally in favor of a second term at least being possible.

  2. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Will: Indeed. And by the way – Bill Leighty rules.

  3. Not Larry Sabato Avatar
    Not Larry Sabato

    I’m just wondering-do you ever get a hard time at work for your political commentary here? Or is it just not discussed?

  4. theShadow Avatar
    theShadow

    I’d tread careful using VITA as a success story right now. You may (or may not) be surprised how many politicos now wish Gov Warner never backed that albatross…

  5. Will Vehrs Avatar
    Will Vehrs

    I’m not sure that many people even know my commentary exists.

    The Warner Administration, to their immense credit, are open to criticism, although the Blue Dog might disagree ….

    I try to be constructive and I actually believe more strongly in Gov. Warner’s “One Virginia” vision than just about anybody I’ve met in state government.

  6. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Is Kilgore one of those mutes? How else is promising spending increases in virtually every government service and hundreds of millions for completely new projects consistent with saying the tax hike should never have happened?

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