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Armstrong lauds governor's
call for cuts in middle management
In a news conference
today, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced her support for a proposal by
Rep. Mike
Armstrong to reduce middle management in state government and
said she will be working with the 12th District lawmaker to implement
cuts in the Washington Management Service – a personnel system for
management positions within the executive branch of state government.
Armstrong is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1877, which would limit the
number of employees covered under WMS.
“I’ve long recognized the
importance of focusing people and resources on the front-line positions
that impact the services state government delivers to the citizens,”
Armstrong explained. “I’m pleased to see the governor recognize the need
to cut from the middle, where we’ve seen growth in employment without a
corresponding increase in service.”
Armstrong said he concurs with the governor’s goal of reducing 1,000
middle management positions in state government.
“Everyone is aware of the
challenges we’re expected to face balancing this budget. Taking aim at
middle management will be a key indicator of how serious the Legislature
is about making government live within our means while protecting core
services. With the governor on board, I will be extremely disappointed
if the legislators who are in the majority don’t include this approach
as part of their budget solution,” Armstrong said.
Since its inception in
1993, WMS has grown from 400 managerial positions to covering
approximately 5,300 positions in state agencies. HB 1877 requires
employees covered under WMS to be in a position that directs the work of
an agency, administers at least one state-wide policy or program, and
must have substantial personnel, legislative, public information, or
budget responsibilities. The bill stipulates that no more than 7 percent
of an agency's state-funded work force may be in the WMS under
Armstrong’s bill.
House Bill 1877 was
approved by the House State Government Committee but remains stalled in
the Appropriations Committee.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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