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Report Rates Worst, Best Governments

By BEN EVANS,
AP
Posted: 2008-03-03 20:30:17
Filed Under: Nation News
WASHINGTON (March 3) - Utah, Virginia and Washington state have the most effective state governments in the country, according to a scorecard released Monday by The Pew Center on the States.

Photo Gallery

Joel Page, AP

State Governments With
Worst and Best Grades

1 of 10    

WORST: New Hampshire
Overall state government grade: D+
Note: Rankings based on reviews by a panel of state government experts

The center ranked the states based on how well they manage their budgets, staffs, infrastructure and information.

The states with the highest scores have made accountability and innovation a priority, the report said.

What's Your Take?

Washington, for example, holds public meetings led by the governor to monitor how its programs are working, while Utah has a sophisticated financial tracking system that provides up-to-the-minute data. Virginia offers its employees incentives for meeting goals and improving service.

New Hampshire — which got the lowest score — is not closely monitoring its costs and performance, Pew said in a press release.

"Effective state government really matters," said Neal Johnson, director of Pew's Government Performance Project, citing infrastructure as evidence. "The Minnesota bridge collapse and the failure of the levees in New Orleans prove that few functions of state government have more direct impact on the daily lives of Americans."

The "Grading the States" report card was the fourth in a series of assessments issued by Pew's Government Performance Project and Governing Magazine. The last was released in 2005.

The rankings are based on reviews by a panel of state government experts.

States were graded on their recruitment and retention of qualified employees, their use of information and technology, management of budgets and purchasing systems, and planning for improvements to roads, bridges and other core infrastructure.

Susan Urahn, managing director of The Pew Center on the States, said the rankings are intended to give states objective information about how they can improve their performance.

At a panel discussion on the rankings in Washington, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said management practices may not be the sexiest of political issues, but they can significantly impact how efficiently tax dollars are used and how well a government delivers services.

"Although you can't run a government like a business, you can use the principles that work," said Perdue, whose state placed in the top tier in the rankings.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-03 16:56:47
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2738 comments

mahricik 09:57:57 PM Mar 06 2008

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I live in the Democratic People's Republic of Maryland, I honestly think that the IQ of the government and legislature is about 13 total. These boneheads need all 13 of their fingers and toes to count to 8! It is time to move to a low tax state when there are not signs as you enter the state "WELCOME TO MARYLAND WHAT IS IN YOUR WALLET?"

proud2bsuper 08:48:42 PM Mar 05 2008

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I live in the Garden State. All of a sudden, it became a messed-up state because of these junk:
Not-so-good school system
Police Corruption
High taxes
High heath insurance rates
Too Much Urbanization (in other words, an overly populated state)
Ignorant Drivers
C'mon man! Gov'er Corzine's nothing, but stingy.
It became an "Agony in the Garden State" give it...once again, a definite F!

The place may be one of my fav vacation spots, but 'sun doesn't shine' in Florida.
Once again...Police corruption
Too much gang activity
Organized crime everywhere (???)
Once again, not-so-good school system
Bad-mannered Drivers
More militarized Police forces
High Gas prices
All of that crap...
So, I'll give it a F too!

Way to ruin America.

stevegeier 06:54:11 PM Mar 04 2008

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Miracle Man

Other the NH wants to withdraw from the United States. I think that makes them a good contender for bottom.

astrneduc 06:36:41 PM Mar 04 2008

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tealtori, I would say, if it's your home and you love it, well...that's all that really matters now isn't it? I love my home too and I'm nbot bailing out unless I can go back to Daytona. It's not home but I haven't seen her in almost twenty two years. I really miss walking those beaches.

tealtori 06:32:44 PM Mar 04 2008

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This report is a total joke! First of all NH does not deserve the grade they got, and to be the only one with that grade is really a joke! NH is a great state, it's a great place to live. The state government isn't that bad at all, every state has their problems, but to put NH at the bottom makes no sense at all!

astrneduc 06:00:28 PM Mar 04 2008

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Have salmon and sweet peas waiting for me yum!

astrneduc 06:00:04 PM Mar 04 2008

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take care of yourself there wrasser! It's nice being able to finally talk to you and floatingcorn . You two are great.

wrasser25 05:56:27 PM Mar 04 2008

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Well it was a pleasure talking to you. Hope to see ya around agin. Bye

wrasser25 05:54:55 PM Mar 04 2008

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I would like to do everything over but I wouldnt want to trade the shows I looked at on tv with todays for ANYTHING. NOT FOR ANYTHING.

wrasser25 05:51:03 PM Mar 04 2008

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I know which man you are talking about. He was Jonathan

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