Look at the web site for just about any organization dedicated to government finance and officials, and you'll see story after sad story about how public budgets are under a squeeze from rising demands and falling revenues.

In these times, public leaders ought to take advantage of the tools that they have. Some of the best tools they have on hand are those that promote smart government through enhancing competition among service providers.

The Thomas Jefferson Institute says (Word document) that the Commonwealth of Virginia ought to take advantage of the Commonwealth Competition Council, a bipartisan advisory group that could improve service and reduce costs.