Emily wrote previously about the performance audit of state regulatory reform efforts. In my column today I take a closer look at the findings.

Despite good intentions and serious efforts, the desired results have not materialized. The rising tide of regulation rolls in as state officials, like Canute, ineffectually order the sea to recede.

We live in a complex world. Much of that complexity stems from the red tape accompanying any attempt to address newly perceived problems. Despite efforts to streamline the system, the audit finds that state agencies have yet to achieve the sensible reform goals set out by governors and legislators since the early 1980s.

This report is the first in a series, which will be most likely be completed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag’s successor.

Using the authority granted in 2005 when voters adopted the performance audit Initiative 900, Sonntag’s highly-capable team has successfully tackled the first objective. We now have a comprehensive inventory of regulatory requirements exposing the challenges confronted by the regulated. Regulatory reform remains an unkept promise and an unrealized opportunity for economic growth.

It’s time to move beyond the promise.