In Connecticut, the state legislature has appointed a task force - The Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes - that has identified $250 million in potential cuts and efficiencies. They have directed a good bit of attention toward the procurement realm, and specifically, how the state can better make use of reverse auctions. Building on the success Connecticut has recently had using reverse auctions for the state's electricity contracts (which, according to Michael J. Cicchetti, who is Governor Jodi Rell's deputy budget director and a commission member, has saved the state over $18 million already), the commission has targeted a potential $38 million in savings that could be achieved through greater use of cooperative purchasing and specifically, wider use of reverse auctions in state purchasing. You can read the full article from The Connecticut Mirror below:
State panel targets big savings in health care, but avoids worker concession debate | The Connecticut Mirror