Federal Government value-engineering study

Office of Management and Budget

I want to hear that our county is more effective and a lower tax burden than other counties and regions.

I believe that government employee benefits, should be average with the private sector.  The job descriptions and performance reviews should align with the equivalent talent compensation offered in the private sector.   Public sector employees should have a review every year against their performance goals, and also compared to those of competitive regions. 

When it comes to wages and benefits, there should be a public vote with a super-majority (66%) convinced into supporting proven position needs. 

I am against abuse of the system in allowing public employees obtain more than one public retirement payment or benefits package.  Most states have already outlawed double dipping.  Returning to work is no problem, with the understanding that retirement payments will be deferred until they retire once again.   Training of a successor should phase out the retiree.  Public jobs should be reduced, or consolidated where workload is too light to sustain staff levels.

I am OK with public employees working more than one job, even in the private sector, so long as it does not impact the public job.   As a recent example, Police officers working other jobs, say as a security guard.   Police officers are trained and expected  to be our public ready first responders - at any time of need.   So safeguards to prevent fatigue, etc. must be taken into account, so as performance for public safety is not compromised.   Double shifts, both private, public, or mixed lead to fatigue.  Care must be taken to maximize the public trust in best value for their services, with priority over the private sector. 

Average price of electricity, Michigan vs. the country
 
Michigan's Public Service Commission — the state's electric and natural gas regulators —  published a new report reviewing electric choice policies as an alternative way to keep electric prices low. Unfortunately, the report underplays the success that Michigan had from its relatively brief electric choice experiment when electricity prices dropped to benefit all residents. 

Michigan, like other states, has long regulated the supply and delivery of electricity. The state is divided into service territories dominated by regulated suppliers, either Consumers Energy or Detroit Edison for about 90 percent of Michigan customers.

Michigan once had one of the most successful electricity competition laws and policies in the country, and electricity customers received clear and measurable benefits from this competition while it lasted.  

Please see rest of the article at:

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19246

Bring back Electric Choice!

I'd like to ask... What have the power companies done to lower the cost of electricity?  

I have no problem with opening up competition, provided:

• We also have 10% renewable generation imposed on competition,
• We see distribution costs aligned with other states.
• We pay comparable wholesale credits to small power providers for any excess clean [of Green House Gases - GHG] energy production (not necessarily just solar or wind).