NYS' Shared Services Program Eliminating Duplicative Services

ALBANY, NY (11/30/2008)(readMedia)-- The state of New York is making good progress in aiding localities share services and consolidate activities according to Department of State Deputy Commissioner Robert W. Elliott in an interview conducted by the Empire Page.

In a report submitted to Governor Paterson and the Legislature in October, the Department of State identified "a five-year cost savings of almost $250 million dollars from a state investment of $27.3 million over the last two years," Elliott stated.

Elliott indicated that those projects that resulted in the greatest savings came from consolidating health benefit plans, joint infrastructure projects, and other combined business and government operations. While some of the savings came by eliminating of jobs, Elliott stated that the "real and anticipated cost savings lies in the reduction of duplicative services."

Elliott identified a number of specific instances where savings are being achieved including elimination of a police department in Erie County, establishment of a healthcare consortium in Tompkins County and joint provision of water infrastructure in Jefferson County.

The complete interview -- as well as previous interviews describing the State's Shared Services Program, -- can be found in the Improving New York section of the Empire Page.

The Improving New York section of the Empire Page explores solutions to New York's government-related problems through interviews with political leaders, program managers, academics and other experts. The next interview will consider the need for greater efficiency in the state's justice courts.

The Empire Page is published by PoliticalNewsToday.com, LLC, which seeks to provide information and opinion on the key issues of the day through websites that aggregate news and opinion and provide useful content for people active in government and politics. The partnership consists of Peter G. Pollak, who is the majority shareholder and actively manages the company, Schwartz-Heslin Group and Wynantskill Capital.