Pew Center study highlights Virginia's use of data in difficult financial times

A new report by the Pew Center on the States titled “Trade-off Time: How Four States Continue to Deliver” commends Virginia’s data-based and results-oriented approach to budgeting and management as an effective decision-making strategy for addressing current fiscal challenges.

Of specific note, the Pew Center said the state's website Virginia Performs has "created a culture of evidence-based decision making that allows Virginia’s leaders to systematically tackle the state’s budget crisis and increase agency productivity,” adding that Virginia “will be better positioned to weather bad times” because of its budgeting and management practices.

The Virginia Performs website, launched in January 2007, focuses on seven key areas and outlines the state’s long-term goals for each. Within each area, selected societal indicators are used to help answer the question “How is Virginia doing?” Where available, data is used to compare Virginia to nearby states and national rates.

In early February 2009, the first regional version of the state's website was launched in collaboration with the Hampton Roads Partnership, HamptonRoadsPerforms.org, with the same view toward enhancing transparency and accountability.