who'd've thunk it

avsp · 11-01-2007, 11:43 AM

State Report: Texas Has Too Many Reports
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 29, 2007
Filed at 11:56 p.m. ET

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- State agencies issue too many reports, a new 668-page report says.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission spent 18 months and canvassed more than 170 agencies and public colleges and universities, checking on all the reports they are assigned to do.
The commission found more than 1,600, and state records administrator Michael Heskett is pretty sure his team hasn't found them all.
Heskett's initial findings indicate more than 400 report requirements are obsolete, duplicative or not needed as frequently as currently required.
''At first, we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of reporting requirements,'' Heskett said. ''We haven't begun our evaluation yet. But I think we can reach our goal of eliminating the deadwood without compromising the need for accountability in our state agencies.''
Agencies stand to save thousands of staff hours and tons of paper, although the commission hasn't estimated yet exactly how much of either, Heskett said.
The Library and Archives Commission has only just begun assessing the report requirements one by one, which Heskett expects will take at least another year.
As for the commission's massive report on reports, Heskett predicts it won't go away.
''For the report to be effective, it must be ongoing,'' he said.