Redesigning State Government

States are facing a protracted budget crisis like none seen in the last 30 years, and perhaps not seen since the Great Depression. State balance sheets face a long, slow climb toward fiscal health and may not reach pre-recession revenue levels for years to come. As a result, many states have launched urgent efforts to redesign and downsize government.

Over the next several years, governors will be grappling with hard choices concerning government's roles, responsibilities, and organization. The papers and resources below describe the current fiscal environment for states and some of the efforts underway to redesign government to meet the new austere realities.

Summary Brief: National Summit on Government Redesign: Solutions for Making Tough Budget Choices

Fall 2011 Fiscal Survey of States

Redesigning State Government 2011

Spring 2011 Fiscal Survey of States

The Governors' Speak: A Summary of the 2011 State of the State Addresses

Fall 2010 Fiscal Survey of States

State Government Redesign Efforts 2009 and 2010

Spring 2010 Fiscal Survey of States

The Big Reset: State Government After the Great Recession

As part of states' broader efforts to redesign and downsize government, several states have requested government-wide efficiency reviews to guide further efforts for cost savings, revenue enhancements, consolidation and elimination of agencies, and increasing government efficiency in general, among others. Below are a few papers highlighting these efforts.

Alabama: Commission on Improving State Government
(Recommendations due June 1, 2011)

Arizona: Privatization and Efficiency Commission