Governor Reynolds at bill signing. (RI photo)
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will consolidate 37 state agencies into just 16 departments and eliminate dozens of unfilled positions in state government.
“Not only will Iowans receive better service with alignment, they’ll get it at a lower cost,” Reynolds said during a bill signing ceremony in her statehouse office.
The governor paid a consultant nearly a million dollars to draft the reorganization plan. “Iowa had significantly more cabinet departments than neighboring states and best practices, services were spread unpredictably across state government, really causing just unnecessary friction for Iowans,” Reynolds said. “What we also saw was just fractured organizational structure that was preventing capable, hardworking public servants from really reaching their full potential.”
The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency projects the plan will eliminate about 200 full time positions in state government that aren’t filled today and save about $12.5 million a year. The governor’s staff estimates the state will save about $215 million over the next four years. Reynolds told reporters efficiency is the main goal, making state government agencies, programs and licensing easier to navigate.
“If we save anything and streamline services and have a single mom or single dad trying to get services not have to go through 14 different doors to try to get an answer, then that’s a win for me,” Reynolds said.
The governor expects most if not all the changes to be in place when the next state fiscal year begins July 1. “I’m not saying there won’t be bumps. I mean this is a huge undertaking, but we’re going to do it right,” Reynolds told reporters. “…If we need to slow down any of the alignments…we’ll do that.”
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say the plan dilutes the legislature’s authority and is a “power grab” by the governor. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said the plan was authored by out of state consultants “without real input from Iowans.” Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls said Iowans will “be living with the consequences for decades to come.”