The Senate Monday unanimously approved, 49-0, a resolution to establish a bipartisan commission identifying cost-saving measures in state government, according to its prime sponsor State Sen. David G. Argall (R-29).

Senate Resolution 160 will create a commission made up of appointees from the private and public sectors to help the General Assembly eliminate unnecessary government spending. The resolution would utilize Senate Appropriations Committee staff with no additional cost to the taxpayers."Every year, members of the House and Senate and their staff review the budget for possible cuts during the budget debate. With this terrible recession placing greater strains than ever before on many of our family budgets, this private-public sector commission will help us identify real savings that will be important to balance future state budgets and avoid unnecessary tax increases," Argall said. "The budget debate of the past few months provides ample proof that such a cost-cutting commission is desperately needed at this time."In the mid 1990's, State Representative Julie Harhart introduced a similar resolution, which created the Improve Management Performance and Cost Control Task Force commission (IMPACCT) that ultimately produced significant savings over a five-year period."Like Rep. Harhart, I am suggesting a much longer and more detailed review, of every agency, incorporating individuals from the private sector with a proven record of reducing costs as well as members of the House and Senate and our staff. Families and businesses have learned how to control costsstate government needs to learn from their example," Argall added.