Office of Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh
For Immediate Release: Friday, January 18, 2013
Senate President Pro Tem Pre-Files Legislation to Streamline State’s Public Safety Functions
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh pre-filed legislation Friday that will consolidate and reorganize the state’s public safety and law enforcement functions. Marsh said the proposal, which he will sponsor, is cosponsored by 18 members of the Senate Republican Caucus and is a cornerstone of the Legislature’s 2013 agenda aimed at reducing the size and cost of government.
“Public safety is one of the essential functions of government and we will not do anything that will compromise the mission of keeping Alabamians safe,” Marsh said. “But like many areas of state government, we believe it can be operated in a more efficient, cost-effective way.”
Conservative cost-savings estimates show a potential savings of $260 million over 10 years by consolidating more than 20 agencies with law enforcement or investigative missions down to seven – compared to an average number of nine in neighboring states.
“This proposal, like many others we’ll take up this session, will fundamentally change the landscape of state government and we know that won’t be easy,” Marsh added. “But we owe it to the taxpayers to move heaven and earth on their behalf to make sure we’re living within our means. We look forward to working with various stakeholders to address any concerns they may have, but the bottom line is we will be moving forward.”
Senate Majority Leader Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia) said the Legislature has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer resources are utilized in the most cost-effective way possible, and credited Senator Marsh for leading that effort.
“Senator Marsh has taken the lead in examining all aspects of state government to find ways we can operate more efficiently and save taxpayer money,” Waggoner said. “Our number one responsibility as lawmakers is to ensure we’re living within our means and this proposal is a monumental step in that direction.”
Senate Bill 48 will be referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability, chaired by Senator Phil Williams (R-Gadsden).
Williams said this bill exemplifies fiscal responsibility and accountability and he looks forward to addressing it in his committee.
“Unlike what we’re seeing out of politicians in Washington, one of the defining qualities of Senator Marsh and my Senate Republican colleagues is the whole-hearted commitment to reducing the size and cost of state government,” Williams said. “This proposal along with others we’ll take up this session solidifies that position and will make anyone who is for leaner, more responsible government proud.”
The public safety reorganization legislation is based on recommendations from Marsh’s Initiative to Streamline Government, resulting from a months-long effort by a nine-member Public Safety Study Group who brought hundreds of years of combined experience in federal, state and local law enforcement, state regulatory boards, county government, academia and private sector security operations.
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Click the following link to view the SB48: SB48-int