Montana Governor Schweitzer Announces State Accountability and Cost Reduction Partnership Ideas Available Online

Today, Governor Brian Schweitzer announced that cost savings ideas submitted as part of the Montana Accountability Partnership are now available to view online at http://www.governor.mt.gov.

“We have received over 700 cost savings ideas to date,” said Governor Schweitzer. “Montanans know that just like businesses have to streamline in tough economic times, so does state government. We will continue to be accountable for every dollar.”

The Montana Accountability Partnership is an ideas contest to encourage both the public and state employees to help the state save money. The contest winner will receive a one ounce palladium coin donated by the Stillwater Mine worth about $400.

“I encourage people to continue to submit their cost saving ideas before the deadline. Your ideas can be a part of making state government more efficient,” Schweitzer said.

Montanans can continue to submit cost savings and efficiency ideas through April 1st, 2010 by filling out the online submission form at http://www.governor.mt.gov. The submissions will be reviewed and the top four voted on by the public. The winner will have their cost savings idea implemented and will win a palladium coin.

In addition to the Montana Accountability Partnership, Governor Schweitzer has already proposed over $32 million in savings.

State savings already announced by Governor Schweitzer:

* $6 million in savings from cancelled building projects across the state.

* $18 million cancelling the new unemployment insurance (UI) contribution computer system.

* $4.5 million cancelling renovations of the unused Receiving Hospital Building on the Montana State Hospital Campus.

* $2 million in savings by state government by suspending some wildfire-related equipment purchases and fuels reduction projects in 2010.

* $600,000 not bailing out Swank Enterprises’ clean up liabilities.

* $380,000 over the biennium with the elimination of the RDO positions in Commerce.

* $350,000 reducing out-of-state travel by 35 percent.

* $131,000 in savings from Department of Revenue printing fewer tax booklets.

* $119,000 in estimated savings by DNRC using video conferencing equipment lieu of travel.

* $20,000 in estimated saving by not printing a state phone directory. Employees and the public will be able to use the directory online at http://www.mt.gov.