Growth & Justice President Dane Smith said that although most citizens don’t use the word “accountability” when talking about whether government works or not, they do hold government  responsible for many of the outcomes they care most about – quality education, good jobs, clean air and water, safe and reliable infrastructure, affordable health care, and high-quality public spaces.

“Governing with Accountability describes a better way to define our expectations in these important areas and the need to hold leaders, managers and organizations accountable for delivering services and other valued public policy outcomes,” Smith said. “It works by improving the links between goals, public investment and results that measure up to those expectations. More accountable government helps us reach the goals we set as a community – and it will save us money in the long run.”

The report outlines six essential principles that capture the essence of accountability in government and actions that can be taken to achieve better results from the vital public investments made through state and local governments. The principles, which were developed after study and consultation with some of the state’s leading authorities on public-sector management, are:

• Establish leadership commitment. Dedication to accountability must come from the top.
• Set long-term goals and priorities. Outcomes must be in clear and measurable terms and specify the indicators for making progress toward the goals.
• Strive for transparency, straight talk and open books. Government should open its books and provide the information in a way that citizens can understand.
• Maintain fiscal responsibly and fairness. Leaders should aim for revenue sufficiency required to provide stable, reliable services and programs.
• Focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Leaders must recognize the difference between the two and that efficiency is doing things right and effectiveness is doing the right things.
• Demand accountability for results. Consequences for meeting or failing to meet goals should be considered for government and public service providers and consideration should be given to transformational overhauls of public systems.

In addition to establishing principles, the report also identifies key problem areas and cost-drivers in the public sector, including health care, education, corrections, and tax expenditures. The report also provides a list of key resources on accountability, as well as promising initiatives already underway and models in other states to emulate. 

“This report is only the beginning of our accountability efforts, and our commitment to find better ways to achieve shared prosperity in Minnesota,” Smith said. “We need to try and test new ideas, apply the best possible evidence and research, and put failed strategies out to pasture.

“Addressing the problem areas gradually may be the most pragmatic way to proceed in the current economic and political environment, but in the end success will depend on citizens of all political hues insisting on better governmental systems and performance, and it will depend on courageous leaders taking charge.”

Governing with Accountability is part of Growth & Justice’s overall Invest for Real Prosperity framework, which calls on citizens and leaders to agree on vision and goals, to make smart investments that increase each individual’s opportunity to participate in a growing economy, and to raise money for those public investments fairly.

To read the report, go to the “Publications” section of Growth & Justice’s website at www.growthandjustice.org. Anyone with comments or questions about the report can contact Smith at dane@growthandjustice.org or 651-251-0728, or 651-675-6360.