Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994 TAG: 9404250172
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Plenty of folks have, and their unpleasant tales of state-sponsored rudeness and red tape prompted a government-reform strike force to plan a ``customer service forum'' for this summer.
``Getting the government runaround will no longer be tolerated,'' Gov. George Allen said at a news conference Friday.
Allen was joined by several members of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform, which also recommended a comprehensive review of state regulations and mandates.
Allen said Otis Brown, chairman of the commission, came up with the customer service forum idea after listening to citizens' stories at public hearings around the state. He said speakers described ``bad service or uncaring attitudes by state agencies and employees.''
At the forum, representatives of businesses with reputations for providing good customer service will share their techniques with state agencies.
Allen also said he would sign an executive memorandum ordering the review of all regulations, to be completed by June 30, 1997.
``By comprehensively reviewing existing regulations and establishing an improved process and standards for the review of proposed regulations, we will attack head-on the problem of regulatory overload that is plaguing individuals and businesses throughout Virginia,'' Allen said.
He said agencies also will be required to review mandates on local governments ``regardless of whether the mandate is imposed by state law, federal law or merely by regulation.''
Pressed for an example of a regulation that might not be needed, Allen told of a Staunton man who complained that his son was repeatedly dunned because he was 1 cent in arrears on a student loan.
The man admitted that the bills were accurate, Allen said. The governor told the man to give Secretary of Education Beverly Sgro a penny ``and we'll call it even.''
by CNB