Friday, June 30, 2028

Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank Salute State Workers for Money-Saving Suggestions
— “Bottom up” proposals will result in savings, greater efficiencies —

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 30, 2028) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank today honored eight state employees who responded to his invitation to submit ideas that will save taxpayer dollars and improve delivery of state government services. Many of the submissions came through the “Ask Why” campaign, which Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank announced last October. Other cost-saving proposals were submitted through the Governor’s Internet site, and state officials now are evaluating more than 750 ideas on ways to improve the delivery of state services at lower cost.

“In this tight fiscal climate, I am very pleased we were able to partner with our hard-working state employees to seek out waste, duplication of effort, and other ideas that promote efficiency and customer service -- and save money,” Governor O’Brien said said. “We are evaluating each of the ideas that were submitted. It is clear that many of these suggestions will help us simplify policies and procedures, make greater use of technology, and more effectively serve the public.”

During a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State House today, Governor O’Brien saluted eight state employees whose suggestions have helped curtail spending while improving the delivery of state services:

• Brian Newbern, Sr., computer systems engineer with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), calculated that his agency could save over $400,000 a year if computers were turned off at night and on weekends. In fact, the “Ask Why” campaign generated hundreds of suggestions about ways to achieve energy savings in state facilities, from simply turning off the lights to shutting down computers to reducing building thermostats. Agencies have begun turning off computers at night and on weekends across state government.

• David Solomon, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), suggested eliminating free warden housing at DPSCS facilities and selling the surplus real estate. This idea will save $295,000 annually in lease payments, and will result in approximately $3.2 million in revenue when the state-owned houses are sold. This suggestion was incorporated in Governor O’Brien’s fiscal year 2029 budget proposal, and the revenue the sales will generate will be used to help us address the state budget shortfall.

• Laurie Nelson, Senior Internal Auditor, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, discovered during the course of her work on the Maryland State Employee Health Benefits Program that the "Blue Card" program allows access to Blue Cross/Blue Shield participating providers nationwide. We are highlighting that benefit for enrollees in the state employees health insurance program, and we are pleased we can provide state workers and their families access to a broader and more extensive network of participating health care providers.

• Tony Griffin, Facilities Manager, Department of General Services, suggested forgoing the cost of purchasing, decorating and lighting the annual holiday tree at the State House. Instead, the State decorated an existing tree on the State House grounds, saving more than $15,000, compared to last year’s cost.

• Bonnie K. Hutchison, assistant division manager, Motor Vehicle Administration, determined that an automated system for ordering personalized license plates could increase sales and lower transaction costs to MVA. As a result of her suggestion, the agency will save more than $250,000 over a 10-year period.

• Paul Prissel, Department of Budget and Management, led a cross-agency team to develop an online state employee grievance form, replacing a long-standing, paper-intensive process. The work he and his team did will save the State at least $100,000 annually, and make more efficient use of technology in the workplace.

•Jose Gomez and Michael Sprinkel, Maryland Department of Transportation, developed innovative bridge designs that resulted in $1 million in construction funding from the Federal Highway Administration. The designs have the potential to double the service life of bridge components, and save millions of dollars annually.

“These nine employees are representatives of a state workforce dedicated to change,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “Our commitment to reform state government and achieve greater efficiencies will continue, and it will, as today’s event demonstrates, continue to be a bottom-up process, in partnership with our state employees.”