An announcement by Gov. M. Jodi Rell to reestablish a dormant innovations committee has disappointed state labor, which says it will be left out of the process.
Rell said she plans to limit membership in the committee to high-level state managers. That represents a departure from the original committee created by former Gov. Lowell Weicker during the early 1990s, which included a diverse group of rank-and-file state workers, business representatives and union representatives.
That panel disbanded in 2003 during a severe budget crisis followed by layoffs of state workers. The committee reviewed suggestions from state workers and then presented cash awards to workers whose ideas were sent to their agency for further analysis.
Rell’s committee, called the Innovative Ideas Initiative, will solicit state worker suggestions on how to cut state costs while improving public service.
“No one knows more about how state government works than the men and women on the front lines,” she said at a press conference. “That is why I am asking for their direct input.”
Matt O’Connor, spokesman for the Connecticut State Employee Association, applauded the governor for bringing the committee back. But he said the way workers’ awards will be decided, by the governor’s staff and political appointees, is problematic.
In contrast, the previous committee included participation of union and private industry folks who were active and big part of the process, he explained. “The work that the [committee members] did included road trips to talk to state employees and to talk to local business representatives to see what was working in private industry,” O’Connor added.
Retirees Invited
Michael Cicchetti, deputy secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, said his agency is developing guidelines for the committee and will invite state retirees to participate.
He acknowledged that there is nothing in state law authorizing the creation of the innovations committee that prohibits inclusion of union representatives. However, he explained that the governor is confident that a panel comprised of top managers will be objective and fair in making these awards.
He emphasized that there is no intention to exclude anyone.
“It’s quite the opposite,” he said. “We want to ensure that this is open to everyone and all ideas are welcome. We want to expand participation. We have over 40,000 retirees. It really doesn’t make sense to exclude anyone. We want to make it as inclusive as possible. That is the governor’s plan.”
Christopher Cooper, a spokesman for the governor, said unions will not be excluded from taking part in the suggestion process.
“Every state employee is welcome to submit suggestions,” he said. “Part of what the governor is trying to do is to squeeze as much efficiency out of government as possible.”
State workers will be asked to submit suggestions by Nov. 14. Those with ideas selected for implementation will receive cash rewards.
