Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today his government reform initiatives that are contained in a Government Reorganization Plan submitted to the General Assembly. The proposals, a result of the ongoing work of the Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, include eliminating two state agencies; merging seven state agencies into others; eliminating 19 boards and commissions; merging 23 boards and commissions to form 11 boards and commissions; moving four offices and initiatives; and, de-regulating three professions.

Initial estimates by the Department of Planning and Budget find that the submitted reforms will save $2 million per year.

“We must strive for a smaller, smarter government that spends the limited taxpayer dollars of our hardworking citizens wisely and prudently. We must make government more accountable to its owners, the taxpayers. Over the last 22 months we have implemented a number of measures that have increased innovation and privatization in state government. This coming General Assembly session we intend to advance even bolder reforms to reduce waste and ensure that we are providing the best services to our citizens in the most fiscally responsible manner,” McDonnell said.

McDonnell’s 2012 Government Reform Initiatives

Two Agencies Eliminated

· Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority (VNDIA)

· Board of Towing and Recovery Operators (BTRO)

 

Seven Agencies Merged into Others

· Department of Rehabilitative Services with the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) and the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

· Human Rights Council with the Office of the Attorney General

· Department of Correctional Education (DCE) with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Department of Corrections (DOC)

· Department of Employment Dispute Resolution with the Department of Human Resource Management

· Virginia War Memorial into the Department of Veterans Services

· Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation into the Chippokes Plantation State Park

 

19 Boards and Commissions Eliminated

· Commonwealth Competition Council

· Interagency Dispute Resolution Council

· Virginia Public Buildings Board

· Virginia Council on Human Resources

· Advisory Council to the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact

· Small Business Advisory Board

· Board of Surface Mining Review

· Board of Mineral Mining Examiners

· Virginia Public Broadcasting Board

· Hemophilia Advisory Board

· Sewage Handling and Disposal Appeal Review Board

· Child Day Care Council

· Boating Advisory Committee

· Virginia Council On Indians

· Litter Control and Recycling Advisory Board

· Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources

· Board for Correctional Education

· Virginia Juvenile Enterprise Committee

· Board on Transportation Safety

23 Boards and Commissions Merged to form 11 Boards or Commissions

· Reforestation of Timberlands Board into the Board of Forestry

· Seed Potato Board and the Potato Board

· Bright Flue-Cured Tobacco Board and the Dark-Fired Tobacco Board into a single Tobacco Board

· Pesticide Control Board into the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services

· Board for Opticians and the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists

· Board for Geology with the Board for Professional Social Scientists and Wetlands Professions

· Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board with the Commonwealth Council on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission

· Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect with the Family and Children’s Trust Fund

· Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation Board of Trustees into the Board of Conservation and Recreation

· Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

· Virginia Scenic River Board into the Board of Conservation and Recreation

 

Four Functions Moved

· Office of Consumer Affairs into the Office of the Attorney General

· Virginia Office of Environmental Education from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Conservation and Recreation

· Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permitting from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Department of Environmental Quality

· Governor’s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Three Professions De-Regulated

· Hair braiders

· Mold Inspectors and Remediators

· Interior Designers