One state employee's summer could get a little sunnier.
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced to state employees Tuesday a "30-Day Sprint" to suggest ways to improve state government and there's $2,500 on the line. Staffers have until June 15 to submit ideas online and the winner for the best employee suggestion will be honored at the Governor's Awards on June 30 at the Executive Mansion (hence the 30 days).
The best suggestion will net a $2,500 cash prize.
June 30 is the end of the state's fiscal year. McDonnell has said he is reasonably optimistic that there will be a surplus this fiscal year.
"For many years, the commonwealth has asked for employee suggestions to improve state government through an employee suggestion program," McDonnell said in the message to state workers.
"It is time for a facelift. Because your suggestions are important, we want to make it easy for you to offer your best ideas and be recognized for your contribution which saves the state money, improves efficiency, or just allows us to serve our citizens better."
McDonnell has tried other ways to incentivize employees and state agencies to save cash.
In April 2010, he proposed a budget amendment tying end-of-year agency savings to employee bonuses. His amendment required that surplus money not be reverted to state agencies but rather put into the general fund to determine whether the $82 million needed for bonuses was met.
Later that year, he directed state agency heads to find ways to save up to 6 percent of their 2012 budgets. As an added incentive to, agencies had the option of saving money in their 2011 budget to put toward any reductions in 2012. And, the savings would be doubled, up to 2 percent.
(This has been a breaking news update. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
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