(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commissioner Josh Geballe said that the ideas they’ve received from the public to date as part of the administration’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy and streamline state government will provide a valuable resource in their ongoing efforts as they move forward with the objectives of the mission, which has a goal of saving taxpayer dollars and making it quicker and easier to interact with the state.
In early April, the governor invited residents and businesses to submit their ideas to his administration using the hashtag #cutredtapeCT on social media or emailing them to cutredtapect@ct.gov. As of May 1, about 110 people submitted feedback.
“Residents and businesses should be spending less time navigating through state government and more time focusing on their own initiatives,” Governor Lamont said. “State government needs to embrace change and modernize to use processes that save money, save time, and make it easier to do business in Connecticut.”
“We appreciate the time people invested in sharing their ideas and feedback, and we will implement many of the changes recommended, many of which can be achieved through expanded and improved use of technology,” Commissioner Geballe said. “Governor Lamont and I are serious about making the right investments to modernize and streamline government."
The feedback ranged from asking for easier ways to fill out online forms and obtain information, as well as improving a specific process or procedures so more interactions with state government can be completed online. Other comments requested the ability to synchronize services and questioned whether there would be a way for state and federal systems to work together in a more efficient manner.
About 60 percent of the feedback was related to accessing state services and asking for the ability to do more online supporting what Governor Lamont said in April, “It is too difficult to navigate through our agencies – it slows down our employees and our businesses.”
While the outreach was initially intended to run through the end of April, DAS will continue to monitor the #cutredtapeCT hashtag on social media, as well as emails that are delivered to cutredtapect@ct.gov.
Examples of feedback submitted through #cutredtapeCT:
Feedback: Michael of Wilton tweeted, “It would be nice if business filings with DRS/DOL/SOTS could be done through a single site with a single login.”
Solution: This aligns with the state’s technology roadmap as Connecticut moves forward to modernize our online services.
Feedback: Cathy, an executive director for a nonprofit organization in New Haven, advocated for small businesses and how to streamline the affirmative action information requirements to the state.
Solution: She was put in touch with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and improvements were made to the website to clear up any confusion.
Feedback: Sharon, a payroll officer at the Department of Motor Vehicles, suggested eliminating paper pay checks.
Solution: The State Comptroller’s office is working to transition employees and retirees to direct deposit and strives to reduce the number of paper paychecks.
Feedback: Laurene of Torrington wants an easier way to fill out paperwork for multiple assistance services so she can take care of her mother.
Solution: This fits with the administration’s plan to reduce duplicative application processes across state agencies.
