I tried to write a positive blog post about Gov. Bev Perdue’s announcements today for the “Rules Modification and Improvement Program,” (Executive Order #70) but as difficult as it is to pronounce RMIP, it’s harder to find the substantive improvement this makes to state government.
Cabinet agencies, boards, and commissions need to justify new rules. Rule makers should also develop fiscal notes for new rules, though the impact of rules is on businesses and individuals more often than state and local finances, so fiscal notes are of limited value.
Then there’s the new website for citizens to provide feedback on state government: setgovernmentstraight.nc.gov. One of the required fields is “Title of Rule or Regulation.” Good luck with that and good luck separating the rule from the law it’s meant to enforce.
Baby steps, I guess.
