The next step in streamlining state government

Last week my committee on Downsizing State Government embarked on an aggressive three-day tour of Missouri. Spanning hundreds of miles, we made nine stops across the state to bring your government from Jefferson City to your Main Street. I was humbled at not only the quantity of those who attended but also the quality of the suggestions and testimonials. Many of the attendees asked what would be next. They expect results from this tour. I intend to deliver them. 

In the coming days I will be working with my staff, the House's research team, and many of you to investigate further the issues that were raised during the listening tour. In the short term, this information will be gathered and organized into a report that can be requested of my office. In the long term, I expect to file legislation that will help reign in, streamline or make more effective the state government that is at your service. If you would like to be kept up to date on the progress that is being made, feel free to contact my Capitol office at 573-751-3776.

Let me conclude by also thanking the news media. In covering this tour and helping my committee let your listeners, viewers and readers know when we would be coming to their region, you helped a government entity more effectively serve its proper role. This tour was immensely successful as it helped hundreds of Missourians speak directly to their government and let it know what it is doing right and what it could improve. This is in no small part attributable to the range and depth of coverage the tour received. 

Again, thank you all for participating in the Downsizing State Government Listening Tour. Keep the suggestions coming and we'll keep "right-sizing" your government.  

 

Paul Curtman is the state representative for Missouri's 109th District. He is the chairman of the Downsizing State Government Committee.