Report Rates Worst, Best Governments
By BEN EVANS,AP
Posted: 2008-03-03 20:30:17
Filed Under: Nation News
WASHINGTON (March 3) - Utah, Virginia and Washington state have the most effective state governments in the country, according to a scorecard released Monday by The Pew Center on the States.
WORST: New Hampshire
Overall state government grade: D+
Note: Rankings based on reviews by a panel of state government experts
The center ranked the states based on how well they manage their budgets, staffs, infrastructure and information.
The states with the highest scores have made accountability and innovation a priority, the report said.
What's Your Take?
Washington, for example, holds public meetings led by the governor to monitor how its programs are working, while Utah has a sophisticated financial tracking system that provides up-to-the-minute data. Virginia offers its employees incentives for meeting goals and improving service.
New Hampshire — which got the lowest score — is not closely monitoring its costs and performance, Pew said in a press release.
"Effective state government really matters," said Neal Johnson, director of Pew's Government Performance Project, citing infrastructure as evidence. "The Minnesota bridge collapse and the failure of the levees in New Orleans prove that few functions of state government have more direct impact on the daily lives of Americans."
The "Grading the States" report card was the fourth in a series of assessments issued by Pew's Government Performance Project and Governing Magazine. The last was released in 2005.
The rankings are based on reviews by a panel of state government experts.
States were graded on their recruitment and retention of qualified employees, their use of information and technology, management of budgets and purchasing systems, and planning for improvements to roads, bridges and other core infrastructure.
Susan Urahn, managing director of The Pew Center on the States, said the rankings are intended to give states objective information about how they can improve their performance.
At a panel discussion on the rankings in Washington, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said management practices may not be the sexiest of political issues, but they can significantly impact how efficiently tax dollars are used and how well a government delivers services.
"Although you can't run a government like a business, you can use the principles that work," said Perdue, whose state placed in the top tier in the rankings.
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
5 comments:
John Lynch stand up and take a bow!
So there's a good chance Atkinson could very well be the worst run town government in the country.
Not a surprise.
More importantly is the discussion of property taxes in NH.
The property tax is regressive because it is not based on your ability to pay. Ask the people up on the shore in Atkinson who were assessed a bonus tax of $2,200.00 a linear foot of the frontage on the pond, beside being assessed extra on the acreage itself. Then they are assessed a triple bonus tax on the road they live on because it is in the pond area.
This is happening because the state exists on the property tax and a "Mickey Mouse" system of user's fees.
Our state infrastructure is in default.
There will be more foreclosures in Atkinson and that will drive up the tax affixed to remaining properties in town. Just wait until they begin assessing taxpayers for living near a nice section like the town center, or up by the country club etc.
Bottom line is that this state needs to seriously look at a progressive tax that is based on people's ability to pay. That would be a sales, an income or some kind of flat tax. But, minus the property tax, remove it.
The first thing that we all need to do is to stop thinking that the NH "no new taxes" pledge is a great idea.
If you don't like NH then try one of the other 49 states in our union. Even better, try another country.
Now are you going to sit they and complain all day or are you going to get involved and volunteer your efforts to make NH a better place?
NO BROAD BASED TAXES!
And here is why;
As Mass. found out once you let the Genie out of the bottle, you can't get him back in.
Yes the proponents claim it would only be 1-2%, Now.
And every time your government wants to grow, it is very easy for them to just increase it by 1/2% until we are Mass.
How about our government control spending, rather than increasing taxes.
There is a novel concept.
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