And this will save money how?

Thats awesome. Fix her over spending by consolidating and eliminating leadership in different departments. Why not get rid of military department heads and have the Coast Guard in charge of all decision making processes for all Military services. That'll save a couple dollars too.

Department integration costs immeadiately come to my mind.
Think of all the new office space they will need, man hours and personell to handle this and that related to mergers, new software, new hardware, new signage, new business cards...the list goes on.

What's the cost/benefit to these proposals strategically versus tactically?

In my company, attempting to consolidate multiple seperately operating entities and trying to make them become one homogenous functioning unit has been realized as a totally futile effort.

Maybe I don't have any serious reservations about this plan IF it means those other functions will come under the auspices of the Fish and Wildlife Commission. But, of course, that probably isn't what the Gov has in mind.

Several observations for those who don't get why its a potential disaster:

1. Initiative 45 resulted in the WDFW Commission, the policy setting group, appointed by the Governor and with the power to hire (and fire) the Director. That took much of the short term politics out of our resource management. And while I do not like all of the current decisions by the Commission one only needs to look at the overall education and experience of the Commission members to recognize that it is a very good deal for the citizens and resources of the State in terms of cost. After all, they essentially are reimbursed travel expenses for all of what they have to endure. Has to be a labor of love cause it isn't the money.

2. If we are having trouble finding enough money to do what needs to be done how is a consolidation going to save money within WDFW that will be reallocated within WDFW? Or will its resources (meaning your license fee monies) be siphoned off to other non-wildlife uses? Remember, Parks is also broke despite the Ft. Flagler water/sewer debacle (or maybe because of it) and has been in the process of divesting itself of assets (meaning various State parks). Do you really think the Parks Commission is up to dealing with the intricacies of fish and wildlife management? Will the new agency see WDFW lands as a resource to be sold off for short term gains to cover budget shortfalls? Remember, most of those were purchased with your money for legitimate wildlife management purposes. Or will those lands be retained but "Seattleized" by eliminating hunting or other consumptive uses?

3. Last in this current list is how will the State will manage its responsibilities to co-manage with the tribes?

I'd really like to see a detailed break-out of how this proposed merger will save money. If there isn't a detailed analysis then (as with a fish story that is not supported by fish pictures) it simply didn't happen/doesn't exist.

One might also suggest that this is achieving the goal of some legislators under the guise of the fiscal crisis.

And, no, I didn't vote for the repeal of the water and soda tax.

And, yes, it certainly can get worse!!!

Basically the same story, but look at related link on bottom of the page.
http://www.ptleader.com/main.aspSectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=28316

This is the related link to the above story.
Gov. Gregoire’s proposal to make government more efficient minus the WDFW commission. Page 3

http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/consolidate_services.pdf

EXACTLY!

The new heirarchy has provisions for a new chief of Civil Rights with 3 special assts... one for each minority group.

Is this really any different than re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?

The only way to save money is to CUT non-essential fu-fu programs.

C'mon.... special affairs programs for blacks, 'spanics, AND Ornamentals. No thanks. JFC! These folks can make it on their own. I oughtta know because I AM one, and I didn't need the Guv's special affairs help.

I'm not sure the 30 million saved will be worth the nightmare of dysfunction this could/would create. I contend it could end up actually costing us money by trying to remedy and put out the countless little fires within the "mega-department". Wasn't this very thing proposed during the last session but got shot down? I specifically remember something about a proposal to merge WDFW and DNR as a money saving tactic. Maybe it'll get shot down again.

I hope the decision makers aren't fooled by how good this looks on paper in the short term. This could cause a real $hitstorm in the long run and they need to understand the ramifications.

She is just following Obamas lead = more and bigger goverment.
Oh and didnt we have a budget surplus just a few short years ago?
Most Democrats = more spending/bigger goverment.
of course you can throw a few republicans in there too.
time for a revolt.
maybe the tea party can help?

Consolidating government agencies, cutting employees, and reducing services to save money...it takes a real partisan tool to call that "more and bigger government".

Fish on...

Todd

What? The tax on my Snickers bar purchase should go to the WDFW? In that case I could pretty much fund the WDFW all on my own. Thems' ice cream Snickers be good stuff.

Seriously, Todd, pay for what you use. Those buying Snicker bars are no more interested in funding my use of the state fisheries than I want to fund a midget ice skating competition in Wauconda with my fishing purchases.

Pay for what you use. Simple.

So the net result out of all of the power grab (oops, I mean reorg) will be the cut of 13 FTEs? The real impact will be the elimination of the Commission with its oversight. Again, I would like to see a break-out of the projected savings. Sure can't be in the elimination of the Commission but, maybe, in the elimination of associated efforts to communicate with the various user groups. Yup, sure can get worse!!!

oh no i am tool.
what would you call creating one big org with mutiple heads and no accountability?
thats how big brother gets bigger.
general fund keeps on eating and eating.

skyrise you're going in the wrong direction.

From my POV, you save $$ by CLOSING agencies. You fire everyone, sell the buildings, etc. Then you take what are the (hopefully FEW) absolutely essential functions, and move those under some other existing agency.

MERGING groups is a way to move a lot of deckchairs around, and not actually save anything.

I'm not to into fish politics but how does this affect us as sportsmen?

1975

Park and recreations is a feel good money pit with no real revenue. I doubt the funding will follow in proportion. If Anderson is not in charge, then we risk even more. You can make the case for closing steelhead hatcheries without a funding increase from sports. When the parks are closed and Mary Margaret sends you letters, we will end up subsidising them. We could lose the commission and its a lot easier for the old guard commercials to get their way.

In generic terms, if you want to keep Flaming geyser open, then you can probably tag on fees. I also think it will set back all the good will created between the clubs and the dept.

Something needs to be closed, but revenue producing dept like WDFW is not it. Too many assume that we will just take up another activity. Maybe some, but others will take the money out of state to AK and BC. I know at least one tackle store has an interest in a BC fishing camp/resort. Count on more layoffs in the tackle industry with the shrinkage.

Having served on more than one professional association board over the years, I unfortunately learned along with my peers that what seemed like a good idea came back to bite us with unforeseen situations.

I'd be very leery about the Governor's proposal to consolidate agencies. It may seem to save money, but it could turn into a can of worms.

More careful management would ideally be a better method IMHO.

I can't help but wonder how much money and staff time has be spent on the Marine Area 4B proposals that are likely to be shelved and the status quo retained, which I personally feel would be the best decision?

There's an old saying that the road to hx;; is paved with good intentions. I hope we don't take that direction.

Brave New World...... & .... big Brother control.

Maybe hiring 40,000 new state employees since she took office could be part of our current deficit woes! I know, most of these were teachers to help reduce class sizes, increase test scores , blah,blah blah. $800 million a year to pay for these 40,000. salaries, health care(medical,dental, vision ,retirement plans, pension, cola's.)
It's only a matter of time till self destruction. i'm speaking of my own experience as a small(2 people, my son and I) business owner, General contractor. 2010 for me saw unemployment security up 900%, L and I up 22% (no claims 25yrs.), Regence Blue shield up 50% and now policy cancelled with new "evolve plan" sign up pending with no rates yet listed but I'm supposed to pick btwn.either the $2500 or the 5000 catustrophic plan without knowing what the costs will be. (thanks Mike Kriedler for at least slapping their hand recently!) and now the word is out that Dept of revenue will be auditing all contractors to make sure that every one is paying up. CBIC (contractors bonding and insurance monopoly) raised my rates 35% on 40% less revenue from 2009-2010, go figure. Property value down 25%, however, yea!, my prop taxes actually went down. $12.00. From $4100to $4082. I figure I can get 5 --2/5 ounce BC steel spoons with this savings. A guys gotta fish!!

yikes. construction is gonna suck