By Bill Crawford

“It was time to take a chainsaw to fat in state government,” State Auditor Shad White said in announcing his $2 million study of government spending by Boston Consulting Group.

Last week the public got a glimpse of the chainsaw. White released his “Project Momentum” report which identified $229 to $338 million in potential fiscal savings. The report proclaimed itself a roadmap to improve efficiency “by eliminating unneeded services, expanding the capabilities of state employees and capitalizing on our state’s progress by providing clear value to taxpayers.” The “our state” clearly identifies the text as White’s, not the consultant’s, and the “clear value” isn’t abundantly clear.

Still, the report is full of useful information on 13 state agencies (many were excluded) with 31 initiatives for reducing recurring expenses.

Interestingly, IHL was excluded, though White’s “chainsaw” announcement highlighted potential savings there. No mention of “gender and zombies” classes or DEI programs. Neither does the report mention White’s concern about millions spent “imprisoning illegal immigrants.” Instead, the prison section focuses on potential savings by “investing in data-driven prevention efforts to reduce the number of re-offenders.”

Among the report’s more useful parts are those on how other states operate more efficiently. For example, as much as 50% of the projected savings could come from improved procurement practices. Modeled after other states’ practices, the recommendations cover multiple agencies with case studies on information technology, engineering services, public relations, emergency contracts, travel and more.

Indeed, the report should be hand delivered to the legislature’s PEER Committee. Compare the section on procurement to the PEER January 2023 Report #672 on centralizing procurement and you will understand.

White’s report unabashedly points to weaknesses in state systems. For example, the report says procurement requirements waste “taxpayer funds without providing the state with additional quality or service,” and major problems at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality include staff shortages and turnover due to low salaries.

His report also calls for investments to improve operations, technology, and more. In a few cases the report estimates those investment costs, but not for most.

A $2 million cost study should not be lacking specific front-end cost data to implement its recommendations. (Possibly the data given the Auditor includes that but his 59-page report does not.)

“I believe that Project Momentum is the most important project we will do in my time as State Auditor,” reiterated White, “because, if we take a chainsaw to all this fat, it will make government leaner and smarter for decades to come.”

Oh well, it does provide useful examples of precision surgery that could cut many recurring costs.

Crawford is the author of “A Republican’s Lament: Mississippi Needs Good Government Conservatives.”