DPS chief: Cuts could lead to increased lines at drivers license bureaus

The head of public safety in Alabama said he would have to cut personnel, including those working in the drivers license division, if funding is cut to the department.
Col. Chris Murphy, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, said highway safety is his top priority. He said fatalities have been reduced by more than 30 percent in three years.
If there are cuts to the budget, Murphy said he would need to cut other divisions and pull personnel from there to work Alabama highways.
"Other services will fall," he said.

Murphy said the department needs an additional $11 million to maintain services at the current level.

He said moving troopers out of drivers license bureaus and onto the highways could increase the waiting time at those offices to four, six or eight hours. Murphy said he expects cuts to personnel if the department does not receive the $11 million in additional funding requested from the Legislature for the 2011 fiscal year. He said the department is not purchasing new vehicles and has cut out of state travel.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen