Alex Sink unveils her plan for reform that she says could save $700 million a year

Routinely assessing "Return on Taxpayer Investments" (RTI) and providing periodic reports to Florida citizens and businesses so they better understand what return they are getting on their tax dollar investment. Alex will fight to improve or eliminate state programs and services that demonstrate low returns while replicating those that yield high value for our tax dollars.

• Stopping Tallahassee's Budget-Balancing Gimmicks. A well-run business never covers payroll or other recurring operational costs with a tax refund or some other one-time revenue boost. A well-run household avoids the dire consequences of living beyond the family's means. Government should be as smart with the tax dollars it collects from those businesses and families. Alex Sink will fight to stop the irresponsible Tallahassee budgeting gimmick of using one-time dollars to pay for multi-year expenses. Although the Florida Constitution allows this type of budgeting with limitations, Alex believes the practice has been abused and is tantamount to deficit spending. She also will oppose the use of trust funds that are designated for specific spending purposes – such as transportation projects – to cover general state budget operating expenses.

• Requiring all top state agency officials to sign performance contracts with benchmarks tailored to their department. As Governor, Alex Sink will create performance contracts for all her top appointees throughout state government. These "executive agreements" will provide a clear and measurable way to communicate citizen priorities and expectations to agency heads. Alex will personally evaluate each manager and each agency, holding her direct reports accountable for meeting specific goals and objectives.

This article appears in May 13-19, 2010.