MUTH’S TRUTHS

Almost three decades after President Ronald Reagan empanelled the Grace Commission to root out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal budget, Gov. Gibbons announced today the creation of a similar commission which both Las Vegas Sun columnist John Ralston and I have been advocating in Nevada for quite some time.

Named the SAGE Commission - which stands for Spending and Government Efficiency - the new 12-member panel will be headed up by Bruce James, who recently retired as the Government Printer for the U.S. Government Printing Office and who was a Nevada Republican U.S. Senate candidate in the late 1990’s. In a press release today, Gov. Gibbons explained that James and the SAGE Commission will be tasked “to find savings in government spending and efficiencies in government operations while improving customer service.”

“My goal for this commission is to drive change,” the Governor said. “This commission will identify ways the state can streamline its operations and maximize the use of taxpayer dollars, all while better serving the public. I’m not interested in another study that sits on a shelf and collects dust. I expect reasonable solutions that can be implemented immediately, as well as long-term solutions that may need legislative approval.”

The governor will appoint five additional members to James’ SAGE commission, and will request recommendations from the four Legislative leaders to fill the remaining five slots. Additional details about the creation and scope of the commission will be released at a scheduled cabinet meeting next week.

Posted on April 30th, 2008 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada