Having identified the results Michigan needs to achieve, state government has taken action to ensure that it delivers on the commitments promised. Governor Granholm insists on excellence – government will deliver the results in which citizens invest their hard-earned tax dollars. The 2005 Cabinet Action Plan outlines exactly what the State of Michigan will do to ensure that it delivers on these commitments.
In the past, managing agency operations would have focused on the performance of those activities assigned to the agency. However, if government is to excel, it must instead focus on the commitments that have been made to our citizens. A list of the highest priority commitments that have been made to Michigan citizens is identified in this Cabinet Action Plan. It is important to maintain focus on delivering the results to which has been committed, using the agencies’ budgeted activities as means to achieve those ends.
MiDEAL
The State of Michigan, as one of Michigan’s largest purchasers of goods and services, is able to negotiate very favorable volume discounts. The MiDeal program enables local units of government and Michigan’s educational institutions to take advantage of these cost savings by purchasing via the State’s contracts. The State of Michiganis reaching out to save tax-payer money throughout all levels of government.
Between 2003 and 2004, 79% more governmental and educational agencies saved money by using the state’s negotiated prices.
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In the process of developing the budget proposal, the agencies associated measurable outcomes with the strategies. As the priority area work groups focused agency actions around those commitments, the Governor’s Advisory Planning (GAP) team sought to develop tools with which the administration can measure our progress toward making Michigan the best place to live and work. The agencies, the GAP team, and the Governor’s policy office have worked diligently to ensure that state government can measure the progress toward each commitment.
Each commitment has associated expected outcomes and milestones. Expected outcomes are the benefits our citizens and our state government will realize. Each outcome is measurable – not just stating that we will make progress, but defining indicators of success for each commitment. One of the agencies involved will be primarily responsible for ensuring that Michigan reaches each targeted outcome by the target date. These outcomes arm the cabinet with the tools to evaluate whether or not government is doing the right things to deliver results to Michigan citizens.
Each commitment also has associated milestones. While the expected outcomes for some commitments may not be immediately realized, government must continue to ensure progression. Each agency will be responsible for reaching milestones by target dates. Milestones give the cabinet tangible targets on which to focus to ensure that they are on course to deliver the expected outcomes.
All of the commitment outcomes and milestones track how government is doing in achieving the indicators of success defined in the Budgeting for Outcomes process. It is important to frame today’s actions in the context of making Michigan’s vision a reality. Each agency plays a role in moving Michigan forward, and it is important to realize the part that each one plays in the larger orchestrated effort.
Expand Virtual Education
A group of 40 seniors at Oak Park High School were short an English credit last year. Their solution was to turn to the growing number of online courses offered by Michigan Virtual High School. Working with Kristi Bush, their online instructor from Shepard, MI, and her teaching assistant, Alexandra Kloster, who lives in Elk Rapids, these students logged on at home, school, the public library, or any other place with Internet access, and were able to earn the one English credit that they were lacking in order to meet their high school's graduation requirements.
Kristi was so proud of their accomplishments that she surprised her students by traveling to Oak Park and attending their graduation. "We all worked hard to ensure that the students met the course requirements and earned their final credit. It was all worth it to watch them walk across the stage and graduate with their class. That is what online education is all about--the success of Michiganstudents!"
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Next Steps: Continued Accountability
The State of Michigan must ensure the highest standards of excellence and integrity by continuing to track and monitor the expected outcomes and milestones listed in the Cabinet Action Plan. Agencies will report monthly on the status of each of the outcomes and milestones to which they have committed. This will provide the citizens a tool for monitoring progress, enabling her to identify and remove roadblocks so that government can deliver results.
Additionally, the cabinet will continue to track its major milestones and accomplishments in the cabinet meetings, allowing opportunities to celebrate our successes and develop collaborative solutions to challenges that arise. The State of Michigan will continue to function as one team while ensuring that each agency plays its part.
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