IF IT'S an election year, it must be time for government cost-saving proposals. Yippee!
What's that? You think such efforts are political BS?
Just because the state senator running a commission on saving you money - Sen. David Argall, R-Schuykill County - is also running for Congress?
Just because a House member now calling for term-limiting legislative leaders, cleaning up per-diem costs and a constitutional convention - Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne County - is running for state Senate?
Don't be cynical. Besides, this time, you get to play.
That's right, the Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission is accepting citizen comments on how to save tax dollars. You can send ideas to cuttingcosts@pasen.gov.
I reviewed many of 100-plus citizen ideas received so far and found a mix of predictable, extreme and intriguing thoughts. And one surprise.
Among the predictable ideas: cut the size of the Legislature and staff (as if); cut pension/benefit packages to state workers and lawmakers; end legislative slush funds; sell off the state stores; consolidate school districts, state offices and agencies.
I predict they're not happening.
Extreme suggestions? End all pensions; eliminate the 25,000 "non-essential" state workers furloughed during budget busts (government should hire only "essential" workers, e-mailer says); "NO GOVERNMENT VEHICLES" (apparently not even for emergencies, law enforcement, snow removal and highway maintenance); and "fire all the state workers and teachers" (in which case some government vehicles might come in handy).
But apart from ideas served with tea, I found some others interesting.
One writer said employees of school districts, counties, cities and local governments (and, I assume, state workers) should share one health-care contract to cut costs. Others have urged similar sharing of pension programs.
More than one writer suggests reducing the size or improving efficiency of the state vehicle fleet (roughly 17,000 vehicles used by 51 state agencies, boards and commissions, according to a 2009 auditor general report).
Use, for example, FastFleet, an on-demand, vehicle-sharing system tailored for the public sector and run by Zipcar. It allows users to get vehicles only when needed. Washington, D.C., the first to use the system, reportedly projects $1 million savings in the first year.
Another writer says to "put everyone in Chevy Cobalts." I'm surprised no one suggested Toyotas.
