OLYMPIA—A last-minute budget amendment that passed moments before the Legislature adjourned early Wednesday ensures a far-reaching government reform will go forward this year.
The amendment by Rep. Mark Miloscia (D-Federal Way) requires every state agency to apply for a Washington State Quality Award this year instead of waiting until 2014. Applying for the quality award automatically triggers an independent assessment or quality audit of each agency’s quality management, accountability, and performance—including whether the agency has strong leadership, performance measures and “a culture of customer service.”
“We passed several strong reforms of individual agencies and expenditures in the closing weeks of the session,” said Miloscia. “But this reform is different because it applies to every agency and will improve accountability and performance across every part of state government.”
Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives voted by acclamation for the Miloscia amendment, which was the last amendment added to the budget—or any measure—during the 2012 regular and special sessions of the Legislature.
The Washington State Quality Award was originally launched in 1992 with the help of Weyerhaeuser, Boeing and other leaders representing business and labor. It is dedicated to providing education and training to public and private organizations on the Malcolm Baldrige model of customer satisfaction and performance excellence.
All award applicants are assessed by independent experts who report on each organization’s strengths and on where improvements are needed to achieve performance excellence. By statute, Gov. Chris Gregoire presents Washington State Quality Awards to the top-rated public and private organizations.
Miloscia has served as a Washington State Quality Award Examiner and a National Malcolm Baldrige Award Examiner. He authored the first Washington state law to require strict, comprehensive performance audits of state government.
“Requiring every agency to apply for quality awards in 2012 will put an immediate spotlight on customer service and achieving best practices in government,” said Miloscia. “Some agencies may balk at the extra effort we’re requiring at a time when budgets are being cut, but this is the kind of reform we need to improve government across-the-board and restore public trust again.”