Pro Tem Bingman and Senator Newberry Comment on Passage of Government Consolidation Bill

Today the Oklahoma Senate passed House Bill 2140, authored by President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa and House Speaker Kris Steele. The measure will consolidate administrative processes and help to eliminate duplication of services.

“We must be proactive in finding ways to make our state government more affordable and less expensive to the taxpayer. This is a vital part of our government right-sizing efforts in conjunction with the Governor and House, and I am pleased to see this bill one step closer to becoming law,” said Bingman.

Senator Dan Newberry, R-Sand Springs who carried the bill on the floor, said during questioning that this bill is necessary to help balance the states budget. Newberry said, “In light of a $500 million shortfall we have to find areas of government that can be consolidated if it saves money. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue; we are all in favor of making government more efficient. Because of this recession the people of Oklahoma have had to make cuts in their family budgets—we will do the same in state government. We will be prudent with every dollar.”

The bill will proceed to a conference committee of Senate and House members.