Sen. Donahue wants residents' feedback in reducing government

Louisiana Sen. Jack Donahue said even though it's the Commission on Streamlining Government's job to craft a plan to reduce the size of state government, he hopes Louisiana's residents will help identify targets for more efficiency.

The commission, which met at the Capitol in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and will continue meeting throughout the year, is beginning a listening tour next week throughout Louisiana that starts in Monroe.

A public forum to hear ideas from state residents is scheduled from 4-5:30 p.m.

Monday in the Monroe City Council Chambers.

"We're hoping that state government is enough of an interest to get people to tell us what they see can operate more efficiently," said Donahue, R-Mandeville, who is chairman of the 10-person commission.

Donahue said he doesn't know how many commissioners will be at the Monroe meeting, "but we'll have good representation and we've invited the (northeastern Louisiana) legislative delegation as well," he said.

The state is projecting budget deficits through 2011, including as much as $1 billion next year.

"Budget cuts are going to happen," Donahue said. "The role of the streamlining commission is to ensure that the budget cuts are made intelligently, carefully and with some guidelines."

Donahue said the commission will return to Monroe when the final plan is complete.

"After we create the plan, we're going to go back and say, 'Here it is. Now help us get it passed in the Legislature,'" he said.

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