TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity applauds the announced proposal to establish a BRAC-style independent commission that would recommend state agencies and programs for consolidation, overhaul or elimination.

AFP released the following statement in response to the proposal offered by Kansas Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt and State Representative Lee Tafanelli:

“As the state enters the 2010 Legislative Session with a budget shortfall in the hundreds of millions, it’s critical that our state does everything in its power to reduce spending and increase efficiency,” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “We find it extremely difficult to believe waste no longer exists in state government, and we hope this commission proves to be a useful tool in rooting out redundancies and excesses in spending.

“The current budget crisis provides an opportunity for our state to reform the way we spend taxpayer dollars in Topeka. In addition to the Kansas Streamlining Government Commission proposal, lawmakers should consider zero-based budgeting, spending constraints and creating a budget stabilization fund.

“We’re encouraged by the intentions of these lawmakers who are working to find creative ways to reduce spending, and we look forward to reviewing other cost-saving proposals throughout the upcoming session.”