Rebooting State Government

Missourians will have another opportunity to share their ideas on how best to reboot Missouri state government. Senate Leader-elect Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, today announced that he plans to devote the beginning weeks of the 2011 legislative session that begins Jan. 5, to host working groups of lawmakers to examine the public’s ideas on how to better manage state government. Missourians can submit their ideas through the Rebooting Government link on the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov). More than 3,000 Missourians participated in a similar effort in March.

“While Missouri is in better shape than most states, we are still facing an on-going budget shortfall meaning we must continue to find ways to do more with less – just like every Missouri family is sacrificing and doing,” Mayer said. “We welcome every idea citizens have to offer to how to make government work better for them and at a lower cost to them – the taxpayer.”

Mayer said the Senate took the lead last session in an effort to identify ways to make government more efficient. He said the Senate will continue with that effort with working groups examining every idea submitted and making cost-saving recommendations during the opening weeks of session.

“We must find common-sense solutions to address this on-going budget situation and a big part of that is to consider every possible way to make government smaller and more efficient – whether that is through more control, alterations or deletions,” Mayer said. “This is an opportunity for Missourians to tell us about their experiences – good or bad – with state government and how we can improve. We welcome and value your ideas.”

Mayer noted every idea would be considered. He said Missouri’s budget situation creates an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to truly examine and reshape every aspect of state government in order to set Missouri on a sustainable, long-term path for the future.

Missourians can submit their ideas by visiting the Senate’s website (www.senate.mo.gov) and clicking on the Rebooting Government logo. Submissions may be anonymous. Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R- St. Joseph, initiated the Rebooting Government effort last spring. The feature will be available on the Senate website through the 2011 legislative session.