March 20, 2001

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Rep. Charles Dewitt
                    Speaker of the House of Representatives

                    Sen. John J. Hainkel, Jr.
                    President of the Senate

FROM:        Sen. John L. "Jay" Dardenne
                    Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget

                    Rep. Jerry Luke LeBlanc
                    Vice-Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget

RE:               "Cut The Fat" Final Report

We are pleased to present the following report summarizing key issues and findings resulting from the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s "Cut The Fat" subcommittees. The subcommittees on civil service, education, general government and health care sought information on saving taxpayers’ money, downsizing state government operations, and generally getting more bang for the citizens’ tax dollars.

The report helps to establish a base of information about state government spending from which legislators can begin to make better-informed decisions on the state budget. Further, the numbers and statistics contained in the report help lay the groundwork for the Louisiana Legislature to consider both short-term and long-term solutions to problems plaguing state government operations. In many cases, the report points out where further legislative study is necessary.

We would like to thank all of the subcommittee members for their hard work and dedication during the hearing process. Also, we would like to express our appreciation to those citizens making suggestions via the "CutTheFat" website or by more traditional means. Direct citizen involvement is crucial to improving state government. An appendix of suggestions gathered from the public is included in this report.

Questions and comments may be directed to websen@legis.la.gov.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.