The gentleman from Greenville (let’s call him Mr. B) was direct and to the point: “I hope this is not a political nothing.”
His was one of more than 600 responses received the first week at www.setgovernmentstraight.nc.gov, the website devoted to bringing common sense back to the rules and regulations that pepper North Carolina state government. I can understand Mr. B’s hesitation. State government has been bogged down by red tape and needless bureaucracy for decades. Many rules set forth by state agencies are ancient and haven’t been reviewed for years, if ever. Even as Mr. B typed in the web address, he must have been thinking to himself — this sounds like a good idea, but is anyone really listening?
Let me assure you – yes, we are.
The global recession that descended on North Carolina has presented us with a choice: keep doing things the same old way and remain depressed, or innovate, grow, change and emerge from the recession’s dark cloud stronger, leaner and better. Here in the Tar Heel state we’ve chosen to push forward, as is evidenced by businesses, communities and families across the state who have made tough choices, thought outside the box and found a new way to survive. Because of that perseverance, North Carolina is recognized as the No. 1 place in America to do business, and we are leading the country out of the recession with the second highest job growth nationally.
Keeping that forward momentum is crucial. State government must continue to be a jobs-creating partner with private businesses. Any unnecessary red tape only serves as a road block to economic growth. So I’ve directed all my cabinet agencies to review all rules currently in place and to slow down any new rules. I’ve asked the rest of state government to do the same. And, most importantly, I’m asking you, citizens, business leaders, community leaders and state employees, to identify rules that defy common sense. Tell me what regulations keep business from moving forward. Show me the red tape that may slow our progress or hinder our ability to remain the best place in the U.S. to live and work.
That’s what setting government straight is all about.
Mr. B didn’t just write in to offer his political commentary. He also submitted a suggestion to eliminate a program. The result, he believed, would do exactly what we’re looking for: “create more construction, more competition, less bureaucracy and more cost effective organizations.”
I don’t know yet whether that suggestion will work. We have already amassed more than a thousand recommendations, and before we can act on them, each and every one must be reviewed. But what I do know is that by the time the General Assembly gets into full swing next year, I will have a list of rules and regulations that don’t make sense, and I will ask my agencies and the General Assembly to fix them, tweak them, or eliminate them altogether.
www.setgovernmentstraight.nc.gov. Tell us what we need to change. We are listening.
Gov. Bev Perdue
November 17, 2010
