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As the Commission noted in its 1995 study of performance-based budgeting, some things in government programs are easy to measure: how many pieces of paper are processed, how long it takes, how much money it costs. Other things are more difficult to quantify: the impact of a recommendation, the degree to which a study stimulates discussion and leads to change, the number of people reached and educated by a report. Results are often best measured by looking at a combination of:
Inputs, such as expenditures, numbers of meetings and level of involvement by experts.
Outputs, including number of reports and bills.
Outcomes, such as reforms implemented.
This section summarizes the easy-to-measure inputs and outputs for the Commission in 1995 and 1996, as well as highlighting some "outcome" indicators.
Inputs: The Commission operates with a staff of six and a budget of under $700,000. Its process is specifically designed to augment these limited resources with experts, who generously donate their time and services.
To illustrate this leveraging process, during 1995 and 1996 the Commission hosted meetings for a half dozen advisory committees ranging in size from 45 to 140, often involving more than 40 hours of discussion for each study topic. The Commission also conducted 18 days of public hearings for various studies, providing a platform for more than 100 expert witnesses.
For instance, for its Public Utilities Commission study, the Commission had two separate advisory groups, each with more than 50 members, hosted more than a dozen half-day meetings, and conducted five days of public hearings with 45 witnesses. For its land-use study, more than 100 experts were interviewed. The charter school study involved site visits to 26 of the 80 charter schools then in existence.
Outputs: The Commission's main "products" are in-depth, well-documented reports. The Commission produced 13 reports in 1995 and 1996 (please see Appendix B for a listing of all Commission reports since 1962).
In addition, the Commission sponsored or supported 97 bills during the two-year legislative session. These are detailed in the section on legislation.
Outcomes: When the Commission sees its recommendations implemented through legislation, it is relatively easy to link the Commission's effort to a result. But perhaps the most difficult impact to quantify is the Commission's success in promoting change. Often the Commission's activities serve as a stimulus for dialogue, incremental change or further review of problems by other bodies. Examples abound in the past two years:
The state procurement report led directly to the Governor's creation of a task force to recraft the procurement process, with the Commission participating on an advisory group. Similarly, the Commission's reports on charter schools and long-term care have led to the inclusion of the Commission on advisory bodies to promote reform and assess problems in those areas.
The civil service report has been credited with prompting many internal administrative changes at the State Personnel Board that have improved hiring and disciplinary practices. In addition, a leadership academy to enhance training for state managers has been created based on the report's recommendation.
The Commission has shared its research and conclusions about land use, boot camps, charter schools and long-term care in dozens of speeches to conferences and groups. In some instances, its reports have been used as the focal point of conferences -- and in others, organizations from other states have contacted the Commission for information and assistance.
The Commission's landmark Public Utilities Commission study, which has been cited by many knowledgeable utility participants as laying out issues that will still be evolving for the next decade, has been the topic of dozens of meetings with different interest groups.
The Commission has testified to Congress about mechanisms for constantly improving government processes, advised a county grand jury on research techniques and met with Chinese dignataries about government oversight.
The Commission's Internet home page -- which allows on-line access to the Commission's reports and legislative agenda -- has attracted more than 3,600 visitors since its creation in March 1996.