GA scores high marks on nationwide report card

A nationwide study produced periodically by the Pew Center on the States, gives Georgia a B-plus overall for state management.

Governor Sonny Perdue was at a luncheon in the nation’s capitol where the results were announced. Perdue says it was "sensible, strategic reforms” that makes Georgia’s government more “efficient and responsive.”

The states were ranked on Money, People, Infrastructure and Information. Georgia’s cumulative score is the best grade of any south eastern state.

However, despite Georgia’s contentious budgeting process, which earned the state a B-plus, things are looking up, says Pew Center spokesman Neal Johnson.

“Oh-five and ’06 were a little bit more challenging in Georgia, and there seems to be a corner that’s been turned there. So, the good news on the financial controls area is the legislature recently created a state accounting office which has led to improvements in both the quality and timeliness of financial reporting in the state.”

Georgia’s highest grade was an A-minus in People, which the report attributed to the state’s ability to tap into the best offered by the private sector. But it warned that if state salaries don’t keep pace, the state could loose young talent quickly.

“There may need to be some adjustments to the pay structure, such that new incoming employees are compensated so there is not as much competition for that new talent from the private sector,” says Johnson.

The final grade for each state is calculated by averaging the score in each of four categories. Georgia received a B+ in Money, an A- in People, a B in Infrastructure and a B+ in information.

Only four other states got a B plus on the 2008 report card. They include Delaware, Michigan, Missouri and Texas. In 2005, the last year the report was issued, Georgia scored a B minus.

Full report at: http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Grading-the-States-2008.pdf