Governor Bentley, Legislative Leaders Open Inaugural Meeting of Joint Task Force on Budget Reform

By: Jake Jacobs, Aide-de-Camp & Public Affairs Specialist

MONTGOMERY (Governor’s Office) – Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday spoke to members of the Joint Task Force on Budget Reform at their inaugural meeting in Montgomery.  The task force is composed of seven House members and seven Senators tasked with studying solutions and reforms to Alabama’s budget and budgeting process.

Formed as a result of legislation sponsored by Speaker Mac McCutcheon and passed during the 2016 Special Legislative Session, the task force will look at a broad array of budgeting tactics and reforms aimed at providing long-term solutions to the budgeting process. The formation of this task force represents a joint effort to continue progress toward right-sizing government and solving long-term budgeting issues in Alabama.

“I commend the legislature for creating this task force and continuing their efforts to find ways to manage tax dollars most efficiently,” said Governor Bentley. “As this task force looks at various budgeting issues and reforms, I am confident that they will identify ways to solve long-term budgeting problems.”

“Our number one priority is addressing Alabama’s long-term budget challenges, and I believe this task force can bring for the bold, innovative solutions we need to move forward,” Speaker McCutcheon said. “Working together with the executive branch and the Senate, I’m confident we can bring long-overdue reforms to the budgeting process and maximize the return on investment for Alabama’s taxpayers.”

“Alabama earmarks approximately 90% of every dollar that comes into the state. This earmarking cripples the Legislature’s ability to allocate money in the budget where it is most needed,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh. “I look forward to working with the members of this task force as we continue to reform and streamline state government to make it more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers.”

The task force will be co-chaired by Representative Danny Garrett and Senator Clyde Chambliss. Other members of the task force are Sen. Greg Albritton, Sen. Linda Coleman, Sen. Bill Hightower, Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, Sen. Bobby Singleton, Sen. Phil Williams, Rep. Anthony Daniels, Rep. Allen Farley, Rep. John Knight, Rep. Chris Pringle, Rep. Kyle South, and Rep. Rich Wingo.

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