Share and Share Alike

Two Midwest governors last week said both of their states could each save about $10 million as part of an initiative to share services.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle launched the initiative in January to identify possible areas where services could be shared.

"The challenging financial times that we face present an opportunity for governors and state legislators and policymakers to focus on ways to make government more efficient and more accountable. This shared service arrangement between Minnesota and Wisconsin will help us do that," Pawlenty said in a statement.

The governors said both states are looking at sharing some small package delivery contracts, unemployment debit card services, and joint food purchases for prisons, as well as coordinating some environmental inspection services. They are considering jointly managing applications for federal funds for high-speed rail proposals, the issuance of oversize truck permits, and shared communication tower sites.

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