Gov. Jeb Bush is not ducking the tough issues. Take, for example, reforming the civil service system. Acting on the recommendations of a bipartisan cross-section of business leaders throughout Florida who encouraged him to modernize the state personnel system, Bush has outlined six key principles that will guide the effort. Place a priority on merit. Demonstrations of initiative and ability should count in determining compensation, pay raises and promotions.
State government restricts the ability of employees to cash out unused vacation days.
These days are financial assets of state workers, and they should have greater flexibility to use them. Employees should be compensated better, especially those who perform well. Managers and supervisors should be given more freedom to direct unused salary to good employees. The state should build on the concept of the Davis Productivity Awards, rewarding employees who generate ideas resulting in savings to taxpayers, Bush says. Reforms should continue to protect workers against discrimination and patronage.