R.I. to participate in Results First Initiative

RHODE ISLAND WILL participate the the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced Tuesday. / PBN FILE PHOTO/FRANK MULLIN
RHODE ISLAND WILL participate the the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced Tuesday. / PBN FILE PHOTO/FRANK MULLIN

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island has been selected as the 14th partner state in the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, a program that helps states assess the costs and benefits of fiscal policy options and make better decisions based on informed results, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced.

Chafee formally requested Rhode Island’s inclusion in the program on March 21, citing the state’s recent moves toward “data-driven decision-making and improved outcomes,” according to a release from the governor’s office.

“Our state has made significant progress in the last two years toward promoting data-driven decision-making in budget and policy matters, as well as improving outcomes of state-run programs,” Chafee said in prepared remarks. “It is my hope that the technical support and policy matter expertise provided by Results First will allow us to build on recent achievements and strengthen our ability to provide quality services to Rhode Islanders.

“We are determined to examine nationwide best practices and pursue more program analysis in our policy and budget decision-making, and we look forward to collaborating with Results First in that effort,” added Chafee.

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According to a release, the Results First initiative helps states assess costs and make better policy options, provides intensive assistance to states to help them adopt and apply a cost-benefit analysis model to their own policies and programs, and helps identifies other areas that could benefit from the Results First approach.

“Participation in Results First is Rhode Island’s latest effort to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its government programs,” said the release, pointing out some recent undertakings by the governor’s office and the General Assembly, including the creation of the Office of Management and Budget and the creation of the transparency portal.

“Rhode Island, like many states, is under increasing pressure to ensure that scarce resources are invested in effective programs,” Gary VanLandingham, director of the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative said in a statement. “We are pleased to be working with the state to use cutting-edge cost-benefit analysis tools to help policymakers make more informed decisions about allocating limited tax dollars. Other states have used this approach to target funding to programs that provide the best bang for the buck, and we are confident that Rhode Island can achieve similar positive results.”

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