Perdue began floating the idea last December as a means to streamline services and operate the state in a more cost-effective manner.
“I am determined to set government straight for the people of North Carolina, and to save taxpayer dollars in the process,” said Perdue in a press release. “I’ve told the legislative leadership I consider this phase one of a broader reorganization, and I am willing to work with them to create a new state government that is leaner, more efficient and more able to withstand the trials of a global economic recession.”
Privatization of North Carolina’s IT services has also been discussed by the governor. Perdue ordered a third-party assessment on how privatized IT services would benefit the state last year. Although results were due this past February, at press time, details on the status of the report were unavailable.
By proposing the consolidation plan under an executive order, the state legislature has to take action to either approve it, or work with the governor to make changes to it. If the legislature does nothing before the end of the legislative session in 2012, the order becomes law.
Other parts of the consolidation plan include:
• moving the Office of State Personnel under the Department of Management and Administration;
• creating the Department of Public Safety, which will incorporate the Department of Correction, the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety; and
• reduction and consolidation of various support functions in the areas of public affairs, personnel, purchasing, finance, planning and accounting.
A copy of the executive order, which outlines the totality of the changes, is available on Gov. Perdue’s website.
