Eliminate 20 Groups, Cargill Proposes
After a week of House hearings to review state agencies’ budgets and spending practices, House Republican leaders announced Friday they have identified nearly 20 state boards, committees and task forces that can be eliminated immediately.
“We don't need more government for the sake of government," said Speaker Lance Cargill (pictured). "We should strive for a model of government that is as efficient as possible, and that includes having clearly defined goals and a plan to achieve results. By trimming off non-essential boards and commissions, we can focus our efforts and resources on those services and functions that are most needed."
Cargill said that House committee and subcommittee chairs found 18 task forces, boards and councils that had either completed their work or have been inactive for some time. In some cases the list of task forces included entities that had been inactive for years, such as the “Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Review of Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Disease” that had not met for a decade. Some, such as the “Task Force on Men’s Health,” have never met. Others, like the “Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council,” duplicate work already performed in other areas of state government.
Cargill said that legislation will be introduced this session to eliminate the 18 entities. Cargill pointed out that every year Oklahoma prints a book known as the “ABC” book listing Oklahoma’s numerous state agencies, boards and commissions.
“Oklahomans are literally confronted by an alphabet soup of state government. At the very least, we can begin to simplify and streamline with this important first step,” said Cargill, who has made government accountability and efficiency one of his top goals for the upcoming legislative session. “Down the road, taxpayers could also see savings in terms of paper and clerical costs that could be associated with these boards and task forces.”
Earlier this week, House subcommittees met with state agencies, boards and commissions to review existing budgets, in hopes of finding ways to trim costs and increase efficiency. The meetings are part of an on-going effort by House budget leaders to make sure Oklahoma’s government is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The entire list of boards, task forces and committees to be eliminated includes: Oklahoma Dairy Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Health Care Authority, Task Force on Men’s Health, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for Oklahoma Long-Term Care, University Hospitals Trust Legislative Advisory Task Force, Joint Committee on Federal Funds, Joint Committee on Water Planning, Common School Capital Improvement Needs Assessment Committee, Mentor Selection Advisory Committee, Oklahoma Task Force on the Status of African American Males, Oklahoma Trucking Advisory Board, Joint Legislative Committee on Data Processing and Telecommunications, Electronic Commerce Pilot Program Steering Committee, International Trade Development Council, Oklahoma Weather Modification Board, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Review of Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cache Creek Water Supply and Flood Impact Task Force, Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council.
“We don't need more government for the sake of government," said Speaker Lance Cargill (pictured). "We should strive for a model of government that is as efficient as possible, and that includes having clearly defined goals and a plan to achieve results. By trimming off non-essential boards and commissions, we can focus our efforts and resources on those services and functions that are most needed."
Cargill said that House committee and subcommittee chairs found 18 task forces, boards and councils that had either completed their work or have been inactive for some time. In some cases the list of task forces included entities that had been inactive for years, such as the “Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Review of Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Disease” that had not met for a decade. Some, such as the “Task Force on Men’s Health,” have never met. Others, like the “Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council,” duplicate work already performed in other areas of state government.
Cargill said that legislation will be introduced this session to eliminate the 18 entities. Cargill pointed out that every year Oklahoma prints a book known as the “ABC” book listing Oklahoma’s numerous state agencies, boards and commissions.
“Oklahomans are literally confronted by an alphabet soup of state government. At the very least, we can begin to simplify and streamline with this important first step,” said Cargill, who has made government accountability and efficiency one of his top goals for the upcoming legislative session. “Down the road, taxpayers could also see savings in terms of paper and clerical costs that could be associated with these boards and task forces.”
Earlier this week, House subcommittees met with state agencies, boards and commissions to review existing budgets, in hopes of finding ways to trim costs and increase efficiency. The meetings are part of an on-going effort by House budget leaders to make sure Oklahoma’s government is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The entire list of boards, task forces and committees to be eliminated includes: Oklahoma Dairy Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Health Care Authority, Task Force on Men’s Health, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for Oklahoma Long-Term Care, University Hospitals Trust Legislative Advisory Task Force, Joint Committee on Federal Funds, Joint Committee on Water Planning, Common School Capital Improvement Needs Assessment Committee, Mentor Selection Advisory Committee, Oklahoma Task Force on the Status of African American Males, Oklahoma Trucking Advisory Board, Joint Legislative Committee on Data Processing and Telecommunications, Electronic Commerce Pilot Program Steering Committee, International Trade Development Council, Oklahoma Weather Modification Board, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Review of Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cache Creek Water Supply and Flood Impact Task Force, Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council.
Labels: House GOP Agenda, Lance Cargill
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:39 PM
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