The Commission on Streamlining Government held its first meeting Monday. The committee was established by Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state legislature to explore ways of decreasing government’s size and cost in light of budget shortfalls of up to $2 billion in the coming years. In a press release, Jindal said: “Make no mistake – this commission is not charged with creating another binder with some good opinions and ideas that will just sit on a shelf and collect dust. This commission is to make real, lasting reforms in state government. As this commission searches for ways to streamline government – everything is on the table. If it’s a good idea to improve our current system and maximize efficiencies, it should be explored by this group, and if decided on, it should be swiftly implemented.”
Jindal has directed each of his cabinet members to work with the commission in establishing its core mission and identifying areas that could be cut or privatized.
Commission members include: Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Covington; Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City; Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana; Alexandria lumber company executive Roy O. Martin; Leonal Hardman, a state employee labor union representative; Lansing Kolb, an Alexandria nursing home executive; Senate Finance Committee chairman Mike Michot, R-Lafayette; House Appropriations Committee chairman Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro; state Treasurer John Kennedy; and Commissioner of Administration Angèle Davis.