Good Government

Towards maturity

April 17, 2009

Brandon Dutcher

"There would be no greater tribute to our maturity as a society," former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush once remarked in an inaugural address, "than if we can make these government buildings around us empty of workers -- silent monuments to the time when government played a role larger than it deserved or could adequately fill."

Of course, Oklahoma has its own government-employment problem, and last night Senate leader Glenn Coffee made an interesting observation. "Keep in mind that over 60 percent of state employees are going to be eligible for retirement in the next 10 years," Sen. Coffee said. "Just imagine if we can modernize government and become more efficient and not have to replace all those people."