Issue Position: Government Reforms

Issue Position

Our state government costs 30% more than the national average -- for every $1.30 we pay in government, we still only get $1 in government service. According to the Governor's Office, more than 18% of our income goes to fund state government and we have 34% more government employees than the average state. These statistics show we have an antiquated governmental structure that dates back to the 1890s. Republicans have been working to restructure our state government since Carroll Campbell was Governor, but many of those efforts have been stalled by the "Good Old Boy" network.

By streamlining government and consolidating executive branch authority, we can increase efficiency in government and save taxpayers money. This will mean lower tax bills and a government more responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Even with a Republican controlled Legislature, state government spending has grown faster than our ability to pay for it. I will stand up to even those in my own party to cut spending and reduce our tax burden. I will fight to implement such reforms as ending taxpayer funded lobbyist, work to stop pork-laden earmarks in the budget and make it law to cap the rate of government spending.

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