Gov. Wolf Wednesday invited the public to preview a new website initiative intended to make government more transparent: Governor’s Goals. The website introduces measurable goals to align to Gov. Wolf’s three key priorities — Jobs that Pay, Schools that Teach, and Government that Works.
This beta launch of the website is the first phase in the implementation of Governor’s Goals. Future iterations of the site will track the progress of these administrative goals and make the data used to measure the goals available to the public.
Many of the “goals” are the “program measures” included in the Governor’s Executive Budget document.
Many of the “goals” are the “program measures” included in the Governor’s Executive Budget document.
The site introduces a three-level hierarchy: priorities, top-line measures, and agency indicators. Each key priority — Jobs that Pay, Schools that Teach, and Government that Works — has corresponding “top-line” measures, which in turn have corresponding agency indicator measures.
Under Schools That Teach there are 3 issue areas: K-12 Education, Early Education and Post-Secondary Education, each with their own set of goals.
Under the Post-Secondary Education category individual goals include--
-- Dept. of Education will increase minority enrollment in public institutions by 22 percent;
-- Dept. of Education will increase the number of undergraduate credentials awarded by PA post-secondary institutions by 10 percent;
-- PHEAA will increase per capita grants by 3 percent; and
-- PHEAA will increase the number of eligible applicants accepting grants by 5 percent.
Under Jobs That Pay there is Job Creation, Workforce Development and Training and Wages.
Under Workforce Development the goal is to train 412,783 PA residents in the WEDNet, PREP, PSATS, CSBG by 2020 [FY 2016-17 Executive Budget says 85,000 residents receive workforce training now per year-- page E33-15].
Government That Works includes: Government Efficiency & Citizen Engagement, Energy and Environment, Infrastructure and Development, Human Services and Public Safety.
Under Government Efficiency and Citizen Involvement one goal is increase gross sales of the Liquor Control Board by 18 percent.
The Wolf Administration is currently compiling data from Pennsylvania government agencies, which will be verified by the Governor’s Budget Office prior to being released. The administration is aiming to upload the first full year of data within the next 12 months, as well as roll out web features that make the data more dynamic.
In this iteration of the site, each measure has a goal set for 2020. Progress toward this 2020 goal will be tracked and marked as “On Track,” “Near Goal,” and “More Work to Do.”
As data are updated, agencies will be able to monitor goal progress and focus attention and resources as available on goals that are not being met.
The measurement of goals, with an increased emphasis on progress tracking, is the next step toward making Pennsylvania government more accountable to citizens.
Visit the beta version of Governor’s Goals now to see all the 2020 goals.
