Office of Governor Brian Schweitzer - Statement of Agency Mission
August 28, 2006
The Governor will carry out the executive power vested by the Montana Constitution and faithfully execute the laws of the state. In so doing, the Governor's Office will ensure that the state government continues to live within its means; that is, with existing taxes collected equitably and no additional tax burden on its citizens. The Governor's Office will ensure that the programs and budgets of state departments are sustainable and operated efficiently and fairly. The Governor's Office will protect the social capital of Montana, its families, businesses and communities by the judicious use of state resources and effective delivery of state services.
Statement of Goals and Objectives
Executive Office of the Governor
The Governor will appoint and supervise the directors of each executive department. The Governor's cabinet will continue to meet as a team weekly. Directors will meet regularly with the Governor and Chief of Staff to develop and execute consistent management for the effective and efficient delivery of services to the citizens of the State of Montana.
The Governor, as mandated by the Constitution, will give information to the legislature and recommend measures he considers needed and suitable. (See attachment A) Those measures may include, but are not limited to:
- Economic self-sufficiency
- Innovative energy solutions
- Targeted economic development initiatives
- Healthy Montana
- Clean air, water and land
- Quality affordable and accessible education
- Public ethics and standards of conduct
- Improved government-to-government relationships
- Overall government efficiency and accountability
He shall also submit to the legislature a budget detailing expenditures and revenues. That budget will permit the State of Montana to continue to live within its means and will offer sustainable solutions to fund state services. It will continue to emphasize the state's responsibility to the least and the last of its citizens and provide for the fair and consistent collection of state tax revenues.
View the 2009 Biennium Executive Budget and related documents
He will sign, recommend amendments or veto legislation presented by the Legislature. He will convene the legislature in special session if necessary.
The Governor will carry out the duties of commander-in-chief of the militia forces of the state and, if necessary, call out any part of those forces as prescribed by the Constitution and statutes. The Governor will advocate at executive and congressional levels on behalf of Montana's National Guard and its missions at home and abroad.
The Governor will make appointments to Boards and Commissions as required by statute and establish those advisory councils he deems necessary. The Governor will continue to make appointments that ensure a diversity of membership that appropriately reflects the population demographics of Montana at large.
Program: Office of the Lieutenant Governor
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will carry out the duties prescribed in Montana's Constitution and statutes. He will continue to represent and assist the Governor at his request.
Program: Office of Budget and Program Planning
- Implements Governor's budget priorities with respect to funding and policy
- Provides expert fiscal advice to the Administration;
- Prepares objective and timely fiscal notes
- Follows budget process as provided in statute
- Oversees fiscal management of state government through statutory oversight
Program: Office of the Citizens' Advocate
The Citizens' Advocate will continue to be the open door to ease Montanans' access to their government, its programs, its administrators and its documents. Access will continue to be offered in person, by toll-free telephone, and by internet access through a website. The staff of the office will, as appropriate, "advocate" on behalf of citizens experiencing difficulty in their dealings with agencies or departments of state government.
Program: Office of Indian Affairs
The lndian Affairs Coordinator serves as the Governor's Ambassador to the Tribal Nations of Montana. The Coordinator will assist the Governor's American lndian Nations Council in developing and implementing the policies of the executive branch in its relationships with the Tribal Nations. The Coordinator will advise the Governor and the members of Montana's congressional delegation, if requested, on matters relating to Tribal Nations and act as a spokesperson for Montana's lndian people when requested.
Program: Governor's Residence Maintenance
The Governor's residence will be properly maintained, equipped, and stocked for the Governor, his family, and the official public functions hosted there.
Program: Air Transportation Program
The Governor will be provided with the necessary air transportation for the efficient performance of his public duties.
Program: Mental Health Ombudsman
The Mental Health Ombudsman, appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, will continue to work to improve Montana citizens' access to the public mental health services, including individuals transitioning from public to private services. The ombudsman will provide an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature, and may make recommendations regarding the mental health system.
Program: Office of Economic Development
The Office will advise the Governor on policy issues related to economic development; lead the state's business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts; coordinate the development and distribution of a statewide coordinated strategic economic development plan; and serve as the state's primary liaison between federal, state, and local agencies, Montana tribal governments, private, nonprofit economic development organizations, and the private sector. (Please see attachment B)
Program: Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors
To meet the statutory requirements assigned to the Board of Visitors the following are the goals of the Board and its staff:
- To conduct at least 14 site reviews of developmental disability/mental health facilities.
- To respond to approximately 600 requests for assistance for consumers of developmental disabilities services.
- To respond to approximately 400 requests for assistance from consumers of mental health services.
- To monitor treatment quality of and provide advocacy services to residents of the Montana Development Center.
- To provide legal representation and advocacy services to Montana State Hospital patients.
Further, to enhance the services of the Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors, the following program improvement goals are offered:
- To improve technology tools needed to increase the effectiveness of program functions.
- To develop a triage system for interviewing new patients and review treatment plans.
- To address components of the Mental Commitment and Treatment Act that would improve due process in involuntary medication decisions and the process and options for conditional release.
Program: Office of Community Service
(Attached administratively to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry)
The Montana Office of Community Service was created by the 1993 Legislature at the Request of the Governor (MCA 90-14-101, et seq.), in order to support community-based volunteer programs focused on addressing critical community needs. The vision of the office and its Commission on Community Service is to cultivate service as a lifelong "habit of the heart" for all citizens, and in particular, instill an ethic of community service in young Montanans.
To that end, the office is committed to:
- Encouraging all Montana citizens to engage in service activities in their community; involving youth in the life and work of communities; and expanding service opportunities for all Montanans.
- Contracting with, and monitoring grants to, community organizations utilizing part-time and full-time volunteers in an effort to make a difference, as well as working with other partners from the Corporation for National Service, which includes primarily the Office of Public Instruction, the University of Montana Campus Compact, and the Corporation State Office. Specifically, engaging 300-350 individuals each year in conducting results-driven community service, primarily through Americorp*State programs, working with more than 5,000 K-12 students and approximately 2,000 higher-education students, and working to apply academic skills to solve community problems through "service learning" projects.
- Assisting some forty communities, through training, technical assistance, monitoring and, where feasible, community "seed grants", in order to realize local action plans that encompass the Montana's Promise Initiative. Communities are working to ensure they have available for their children and youth the following five resources for healthy, productive living: 1) an ongoing relationship with a caring adult; 2) safe places and structured activities after school to learn and grow; 3) a healthy start in life; 4) marketable skills through effective education; and 5) opportunities for community service.
- Coordinating and overseeing annual training and technical assistance activities for national service programs in Montana, through AmeriCorps*USA, the National Senior Service Corps, and Learn & Serve America.
