For Immediate Release
March 2, 2005
Contact: Ryan Burson
Telephone: (573) 751-2345
Government Review Commission Wraps up Presentations;
Invites Public Comment
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri State Government Review Commission completed a series of meetings with state department leaders and the University of Missouri to review current budgets and organizational structures. The Commission's next step includes several opportunities for Missourians to express their views about state government.
Gov. Matt Blunt established the Commission to examine the executive departments from top-to-bottom and to make recommendations on how state government can address inefficiencies, achieve cost savings and provide better service. The last major government reorganization effort was in 1974.
"We are very serious about hearing from the public," Steven Bradford, Commission Co-chair said. "Thirty years is a long time not to make any changes. Our process this time will be much more open to the public than before, and we know that Missourians and their representatives will tell us how their government can better serve them."
Six Commission Task Forces will hear testimony on government functions.
"Making state government as efficient and as responsive to the people as possible is our objective," said Warren Erdman, Commission Co-chair. "We've heard from the leaders of state government. Now we want to hear from the people."
Public Testimony at Jefferson City Task Force Hearings--Senate Lounge, State Capitol
| Date | Time | Hearing Information |
|---|---|---|
| April 22 | 8:30 a.m. | Task Force A: Conservation, Natural Resources, Agriculture |
| April 22 | 1:30 p.m. | Task Force D: Economic Development, Labor and Industrial Relations, Transportation |
| April 29 | 8:30 a.m. | Task Force B: Office of Administration, Revenue, Insurance |
| April 29 | 1:30 p.m. | Task Force F: Public Safety, Corrections |
| May 20 | 8:30 a.m. | Task Force C: Social Services, Health and Senior Services, Mental Health |
| May 20 | 1:30 p.m. | Task Force E: Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education |
The Commission also plans to hold regional public hearings this summer in St. Louis, St. Joseph, Kansas City, Springfield, Cape Girardeau and Kirsksville.
The members of the Missouri State Government Review Commission are: John Fox Arnold of St. Louis, Steve Bradford of Cape Girardeau, Cynthia Brinkley of St. Louis, Cathy Dean of Kansas City, Ron Dittemore of St. Joseph, Warren Erdman of Kansas City, Jerry Hunter of St. Louis, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Charles Kruse of Dexter, Charles McClain of Columbia, Dick Moore of Jefferson City, Rob O'Brian of Joplin, Kathy Osborn of St. Louis, Sharon Rohrbach of St. Louis, CiCi Rojas of Kansas City, Gary Rust of Cape Girardeau, Paul Steele of Chillicothe, Ray Wagner of Clayton, Joyce Wood of Bonne Terre and Dalton Wright of Lebanon.
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