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Plan would make state agencies justify existence

TALLAHASSEE - The state departments that oversee education, prisons and child welfare would be among those that could be abolished under a House proposal - unless the Legislature voted to keep them around.

The idea announced Monday is to have every state department, agency and commission justify its existence to lawmakers every eight years. If they couldn't, they would be gone.

While it's a stretch to think prisons would suddenly shut down if the Department of Corrections couldn't convince lawmakers it is needed, Rep. Ray Sansom said the proposed accountability law would help reduce the size of government.

The review process would try to identify areas of government that are redundant or no longer needed. It is modeled after a Texas program that Sansom said has led to the consolidation of 11 agencies and the abolishment of 47. That has led to nearly $737-million in savings, Sansom said.

"This is what the taxpayers expect us to do," said Sansom , R-Destin. "Everywhere we go across the state this question comes up about accountability in government - the reasons for agencies, the reasons for commissions, the reasons for departments."

House Speaker Allan Bense and speaker-designate Marco Rubio, R-Miami, joined Sansom at a press conference to announce the proposal.

"When you know that in two years, there's a reasonable chance that you may not be around after that, it forces you to really pause for thought. "Is this agency doing what it should be? Are we doing what the people want us to do? Are we fulfilling a mission that was given to us when this agency was created?"' said Bense, R-Panama City.

Gov. Jeb Bush supports the idea of "sunsetting" state agencies, said his spokesman, Russell Schweiss. Sunsetting is the term lawmakers use when such things as programs, commissions or tax exemptions disappear unless reapproved by the Legislature.

"He believes it's an appropriate role for the Legislature and this exercise allows them to review programs to determine their relevancy and need," said Schweiss.

Senate President Tom Lee didn't think sunsetting was necessary to achieve government accountability, but said he's willing to keep an open mind. He called sunsetting "a little less substantive and a little more sizzle."

"We will think long and hard before we do away with something our constituents see as a necessary role of government ... sunset language or not," said Lee, R-Valrico.

Lee pointed out that lawmakers have placed a question on the 2006 ballot asking voters to create a government accountability commission that will review agencies and make recommendations on how to reduce costs.

State Rep. Dan Gelber said the Legislature shouldn't be trusted with the power Sansom wants to give it, saying there's a danger special interests could influence the review process.

"We have trouble agreeing on anything. The idea that we'd be given all of government to redo every year is astounding," said Gelber, D-Miami Beach. "Usually the only safeguard against horrible mischief is because it's hard to get agreement."

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 02:15:28]