Bentley signs order creating commission intended to improve government

Gov. Robert Bentley, in his second week in office, signed an executive order creating the Alabama Commission on Improving State Government, which is tasked with analyzing and exploring new ways to reduce government spending with little or no effect on services.
In the order, agencies, departments and commissions are expected to evaluate the effectiveness and need for their current spending levels. Bentley wants to find duplicated, outdated, unnecessary and ineffective services and wants to redirect any savings to more essential state government functions. The commission will also examine the work of similar commissions across the nation and talk to business leaders here about ways to make state government more effective.
"The Alabama Commission on Improving State Government will take an in-depth look at the current cost structure of every state agency and look for new and effective ways to cut costs without cutting essential services," the governor said in a statement.
The commission will deliver a preliminary report to Bentley by June 1.
Bentley is "looking at a number of qualified people to lead the Alabama Commission on Improving State Government, and to serve on the commission," his communications director, Rebekah Mason, wrote in an e-mail. "We expect him to make those announcements in the next few days."
The executive order is the fourth of Bentley's administration.
His first executive order dissolved the Task Force on Illegal Gambling created by his predecessor, Gov. Bob Riley.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen