Shouldn't Government Do More With Less?
. . . An excellent question being asked by Arkansas Lt Governor Tim Griffin.
by Lt Gov. Tim Giffin: The Tax Reform and Tax Relief Legislative Task Force has recently begun meeting, and many Arkansans are taking an interest because there is an overwhelming sense that taxes are too high and our tax code is too complicated. I’ve met with and exchanged ideas with many legislators about tax reform and tax relief, and I know there is plenty of room to improve our tax code.
I laid out some of those ideas in a letter to the task force encouraging them to not only find ways to simplify and reform the tax code, but also to lower the overall tax burden on hardworking Arkansans.
But the key to reducing our tax burden is embracing something I’ve talked about since before I took office: transforming state government. I appreciate Gov. Hutchinson naming me co-chair of the Transformation Advisory Board (TAB). In that role, I continue to push for a state government that is more responsive, effective, and efficient.
What does transforming state government look like? In short, it means doing more with less. It means reforming government in a way that improves the services we provide to taxpayers while reducing the cost to provide those services. It means updating state government, much of which was designed in the Cold War era, to adapt to the era of the iPad and Uber.
Transforming state government is the key that will unlock the door to solving some of our biggest challenges like reducing the tax burden or finding a long-term solution to funding highways and infrastructure. As elected officials, we have a moral obligation to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and deliver more value to Arkansans in return for the taxes they pay. Doing so will involve cutting waste, saving money, and investing tax dollars where they are most needed, as well as returning the dividends to Arkansans in the form of tax relief.
Since taking office, my goal has been to do more with less. I have reduced my office budget by over fifteen percent and have reduced the number of staff members from four to two. I recently declined the pay increase for elected officials that was recommended by the Independent Citizens Commission because I feel strongly that at a time when Arkansans are overtaxed and budgets are tight, increasing my salary shouldn’t be a priority. I am committed to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Even though my office doesn't have a large budget, I believe that if we spend our pennies wisely, the dollars will add up. Together, we can transform state government for the betterment of all Arkansans.
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Tim Giffin is the Lt Governor of Arkansas and a former U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district (2011 to 2015). He is a former Special Assistant to the President GW Bush and Deputy Director in the Office of Political Affairs. And served previously as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Tags: Tim Griffin, Arkansas, Lt Governor, government, doing more with less To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
by Lt Gov. Tim Giffin: The Tax Reform and Tax Relief Legislative Task Force has recently begun meeting, and many Arkansans are taking an interest because there is an overwhelming sense that taxes are too high and our tax code is too complicated. I’ve met with and exchanged ideas with many legislators about tax reform and tax relief, and I know there is plenty of room to improve our tax code.
I laid out some of those ideas in a letter to the task force encouraging them to not only find ways to simplify and reform the tax code, but also to lower the overall tax burden on hardworking Arkansans.
But the key to reducing our tax burden is embracing something I’ve talked about since before I took office: transforming state government. I appreciate Gov. Hutchinson naming me co-chair of the Transformation Advisory Board (TAB). In that role, I continue to push for a state government that is more responsive, effective, and efficient.
What does transforming state government look like? In short, it means doing more with less. It means reforming government in a way that improves the services we provide to taxpayers while reducing the cost to provide those services. It means updating state government, much of which was designed in the Cold War era, to adapt to the era of the iPad and Uber.
Transforming state government is the key that will unlock the door to solving some of our biggest challenges like reducing the tax burden or finding a long-term solution to funding highways and infrastructure. As elected officials, we have a moral obligation to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and deliver more value to Arkansans in return for the taxes they pay. Doing so will involve cutting waste, saving money, and investing tax dollars where they are most needed, as well as returning the dividends to Arkansans in the form of tax relief.
Since taking office, my goal has been to do more with less. I have reduced my office budget by over fifteen percent and have reduced the number of staff members from four to two. I recently declined the pay increase for elected officials that was recommended by the Independent Citizens Commission because I feel strongly that at a time when Arkansans are overtaxed and budgets are tight, increasing my salary shouldn’t be a priority. I am committed to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Even though my office doesn't have a large budget, I believe that if we spend our pennies wisely, the dollars will add up. Together, we can transform state government for the betterment of all Arkansans.
--------------------
Tim Giffin is the Lt Governor of Arkansas and a former U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district (2011 to 2015). He is a former Special Assistant to the President GW Bush and Deputy Director in the Office of Political Affairs. And served previously as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Tags: Tim Griffin, Arkansas, Lt Governor, government, doing more with less To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
Posted by Bill Smith at 8:20 AM - Post Link
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