Lynn Nichols: Outside review needed of state’s expenses

The way my mind works is I would begin a process that would be thoughtful with an immediate approach to finding a way to reduce the forthcoming deficit.

Other ways to reduce and streamline the state’s operations would most likely require legislation, i.e., good bipartisan debate with realistic goals and results.

1. I would begin with a top to bottom review using both internal and external resources. I would recommend using an outside party to work parallel to internal staff to execute a study as it removes (should remove) bias and subjectivity, and allow the numbers and data to stand taller.

2. During that process I would ask those resources to come forward by identifying quick hits or savings, and then inefficiencies of opportunity of the state’s operation, including areas of common synergy where duplication could be eliminated and processes and operations streamlined. All of this while keeping in mind the Kansas taxpayer should not be compromised by a reduction of services or the quality of those services.

3. I would lay out an objective of not only finding savings or efficiencies that equal the forthcoming budget deficit, but be open-minded to even greater savings and efficiencies.

4. I would also carve out and make sure the education component was left alone. And, if greater savings were found beyond the projected deficit – why not channel some of that extra money to education? The education piece is a project all by itself, to be straight-forward.

I’m quite confident the savings are there – you just have to start peeling it back layer by layer and challenge every line item.

This story was originally published November 27, 2014 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Lynn Nichols: Outside review needed of state’s expenses."