(Note staff changes in last paragraph)

For immediate release For more information
14 May, 2001 Joe Shannahan, 515-281-0173

Vilsack/Pederson announce co-chairs of Iowa Government Redesign effort,
staff changes

DES MOINES - Governor Tom Vilsack and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson have
appointed Dr. Stephen Gleason, Director of the Iowa Department of Public
Health, and Cynthia Eisenhauer, Director of the Iowa Department of
Management as co-chairs of the Iowa government redesign effort.

"The Lt. Governor and I are pleased these two directors are willing to add
to their everyday responsibilities and help us redesign the way Iowa
government works," Vilsack said.  "We intend to use Iowa experts and
executives from inside and outside of state government to help with the
process of redesign.  We will welcome the input of all state workers to help
us redesign a more streamlined and efficient state government."

Late last year, the Governor proposed and the legislature passed the
Accountable Government Act as part of a long-term commitment to make state
government more efficient.  This review of all state services will be
conducted to identify what can be eliminated, merged or reformed for a more
accountable government.  The team of Eisenhauer and Gleason are charged with
developing strategies for state departments to increase accountability
through Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, Results-Oriented
Budgeting, Performance Reporting, Program Reviews and Performance Audits,
Performance Contracting, and Return on Investment.

"Governing Magazine rated the Vilsack-Pederson Administration the best
managed state in the Midwest early this year," Pederson said.  "We will
continue to manage state government with the promise to taxpayers that we
will be fiscally responsible and accountable.  With this redesign of state
government, we renew our commitment to delivering services in a way that is
friendly to taxpayers, continuing to improve the way tax dollars are
invested and achieving the results Iowans value."

Vilsack also announced that his chief of staff, John Norris, will take a
leave of absence from the office to get married and to explore a bid for
Congress. John Cacciatore, the governor's chief policy adviser, will serve
as chief of staff in Norris' absence.  Greg Nichols, the governor's
legislative director and education policy advisor will assume the position
of policy director, on an interim basis.

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