Governor Spencer Cox of Utah is aiming to cut red tape and inefficiency with the launch of a new program dubbed GRIT, short for Government Reform, Innovation & Transparency. This initiative is designed to overhaul the state's bureaucratic processes and enhance the delivery of government services. Aimed at fostering a culture of problem-solving and active engagement with Utah residents, GRIT was initiated through an executive order signed today.
The program is ambitious, mandating that each state agency must thoroughly evaluate its operations and identify at least one efficiency improvement project to be submitted to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget by July 1. Additionally, each division, office, or bureau is required to independently launch an initiative aimed solely at internal process betterment. Governor Cox is determined to not just maintain the everyday operations, but to significantly improve upon them. "Utahns deserve a government that listens, adapts, and delivers," Cox said, as reported by the Utah Governor's Office.
The timing of this move falls on the back of Utah's recognition as the #1 Best State by U.S. News & World Report for the third consecutive year, with the state's fiscal stability also taking the top spot among all 50 states. This initiative is Cox's call to action, embracing the state's historical managerial prowess while striving for an even higher standard of transparency, innovation, and problem-solving led by employees themselves.
The executive order lays out clear expectations for state entities: to engage in a professional learning network known as EPIC (Efficiency and Process Improvement Collaborative); to actively utilize public feedback via the state's Customer Experience Initiative; and to report outcomes that showcase cost savings, time savings, and improved service delivery. The GRIT initiative endeavors to empower both cabinet members and state employees to proactively identify and remedy inefficiencies, all while providing Utah citizens with wider opportunities to have their voices heard. A key facet of this government reformation will be the expansion of the EPIC network, a collective dedicated to collaborative training and knowledge exchange, with the lofty goal of bettering government functionality for the people of Utah.
